Laser beam direct energy deposition of graded austenitic-to-martensitic steel junctions compared to dissimilar electron beam welding

Villaret, F.*; Boulnat, X.*; Aubry, P.*; Yano, Yasuhide  ; Otsuka, Satoshi   ; Fabregue, D.*; de Carlan, Y.*

This article presents the Laser Beam Direct Energy Deposition (DED-LBD) process as a method to build a graded austenitic-to-martensitic steel junction. Builds were obtained by varying the ratio of the two powders during DED-LB processing. Samples with gradual transitions were successfully obtained using a high dilution rate from one layer to the next. Long austenitic grains are observed on 316L side while martensitic grains are observed on Fe-9Cr-1Mo side. In the transition zone, the microstructure is mainly martensitic. Characterizations were performed after building and after a tempering heat treatment at630C during 8h and compared to dissimilar Electron Beam (EB) welds. Before heat treatment, the DBD-LB graded area has high hardness due to fresh martensite formed during building. Tempering heat treatment reduces this hardness to 300 Hv. EDS measurements indicate that the chemical gradient between 316L and Fe-9Cr-1Mo obtained by DED-LB is smoother than the chemical change obtained in EB welds. Microstructures in DED-LB samples are quite different from those obtained by EB welding. Hardness values in DMD-LB samples and in welds are similar; the weld metal and the Fe-9Cr-1Mo HAZ are relatively hard after welding because of fresh martensite, as found in the DED-LB transition zone; both are softened by the tempering heat treatment. Both welds were overmatched at 20, 400 and 550C.