Effect of sulphur on hot ductility and heat affected zone microfissuring in Inconel 718 welds

Abstract

The influence of sulphur on microfissuring has been studied by characterising the hot ductility and heat affected zone (HAZ) microfissuring in welded wrought Inconel 718. A series of Inconel 718 base alloys, with sulphur concentrations in the range 7–110 wt-ppm and with the lowest possible concentrations of carbon, boron, and phosphorus were used in the study. The hot ductility of the alloys was measured using a Gleeble 1500 system, and their weldability was evaluated by bead on plate electron beam welding. The effect of sulphur on microfissuring in the weld HAZ was compared with that of boron in boron containing, but sulphur free, alloys. Sulphur reduced the weldability of the material, but its influence was very moderate in comparison with that of boron. The rate of increase of the brittle temperature range hot ductility parameter with increasing sulphur concentration was significantly smaller compared with that with increasing boron concentration. This may be because sulphur and boron seem to influence grain boundary liquation in the HAZ differently during welding of these alloys. Sulphur influences the weld HAZ microfissuring mainly by reducing the solidus temperature of liquid films during the cooling part of the welding cycle. Boron, however, not only reduces the solidus temperature, but also promotes grain boundary liquation during the heating part, and is therefore more effective than sulphur in promoting HAZ microfissuring.