EVALUATION ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WELDED JOINTS BY GMAW IN UNS N10003 ALLOY

摘要

UNS N10003 alloy is a primary material of the Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR) in China that is a suitable candidate reactor of the Generation IV nuclear reactors. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is more effective than gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) which is usually used to weld nickel-base alloys. In order to improve welding efficiency, it is necessary to weld nickel-base alloys using GMAW. The purpose of this work is to evaluate effect of GMAW on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties in UNS N10003 alloy. The results of microstructure showed that the sound welded joint without hot cracking can be obtained, although quantities of M_6C-γ eutectic phases with large size were precipitated in fusion zone (FZ) and transformed in heat affected zone (HAZ) because of element segregation. The results of microhardness test indicated that there was no softened zone in the welded joint. The results of tensile test at room temperature and high temperature showed that the short-term time-independent strength was not damaged by the formation of large M_6C-γ eutectic phases.