• Laser Solutions
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.15-19
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• 2008

Electron beam (EB) weldability of pure grade Nb sheet was studied. One of Nb sheets was as-annealed and the other was cold rolled. Microstructures, Vickers hardness, and transverse weld tensile test were carried out for the base metal, the heat affected zone (HAZ) and weld metal. In the case of the EB welds made using the annealed Nb sheeet, fine equiaxed grains and coarse grains were dominant at the base metal and the HAZ, respectively, and columnar grains were observed at the weld metal. For the EB welds made using the cold rolled Nb sheet, elongated grains in the rolling direction at the base metal, and the microstructures of the weld metal and the HAZ are similar to those of the EB welds made using the annealed Nb sheet, respectively. For both annealed and cold rolled Nb sheet, the width of the HAZs are unusually wide in spite of using high density heat source, i.e. electron beam, and the grain sizes of both HAZs are similar. When tensile test was carried out using the transverse weld specimens, the failure occurred at the HAZ for both EB welds made using Nb sheets annealed and cold rolled, respectively and the tensile strengths of both specimens were 161MPa. Vickers hardness of EB welds made using annealed Nb was 56-57 Hv at both base metal and weld metal, 52-53 Hv at the HAZ. On the other hand, Vickers hardness of EB welds made using cold rolled Nb was 97-99 Hv at the base metal, but the hardness values of weld metal were similar to those obtained at the weld metal of annealed Nb.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2001

This study was performed to evaluate basic characteristics of electron beam weldability for high strength aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys used were A5083 and A6N01, and A7N01. The principal welding process parameters, such as accelerating voltage, beam current, welding speed and chamber pressure were investigated. The dimension and microstructure of welds were evaluated with OLM, and SEM (EDAX). In addition, weldability variation(cracking) due to process parameters was also evaluated. The degree of cracking in the EB fusion zone appears to be affected mainly by aspect ratio, such that as aspect ratio increases the cracking tendency also increases. The alloying element itself may also affect the hot cracking resistance, but its role is considered to be indirect effect such that the relatively higher vaporization pressure elements of Zn and Mg give deeper weld penetration and thus results in greater cracking tendency.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.50-57
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• 2013

Characterization of microstructures and cryogenic mechanical properties of electro beam (EB) welds between cast and forged Inconel 718 superalloys has been investigated. Optimal EBW condition was found in the beam current range of 36~39 mA with the constant travel speed of 12 mm/s and arc voltage of 120 kV for 10 mm-thick specimens. Electron beam current lower than 25 mA caused to occur the liquation microfissuring in cast-side heat affected zone (HAZ) of EB welds. The HAZ liquation microfissure was found on the liquated grain boundaries with resolidified ${\gamma}/Laves$ and ${\gamma}/NbC$ eutectic constituents. EBW produced welds showing a fine dendritic structure with relatively discrete Laves phase due to fast cooling rate. After post weld aging treatment, blocky Laves phase and formation of ${\gamma}^{\prime}+{\gamma}^{{\prime}{\prime}}$ strengtheners were observed. Presence of primary strengthener and coarse Laves particles in PWHT weld may cause to reduce micro-plastic zone ahead of a crack, leading to a significant decrease in Charpy impact toughness at $-196^{\circ}C$. Fracture initiation and propagation induced by Charpy impact testing were discussed in terms of the dislocation structures ahead of crack arisen from the fractured Laves phase.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

For nondestructive inspection of electron beam (EB) welding part in automotive power transmission assembly, a pulse-echo ultrasonic testing apparatus in water immersion has been applied using the ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 10MHz. However various problems have appeared during the ultrasonic inspection, which led to some significant mistakes in automatic quality evaluation of the welding parts. Experimental study showed that the state of water couplant medium containing some amount of contaminants, rusts and anti-corrosion agents had considerable influences on the reduction of ultrasonic amplitudes during wave propagation. The amplitude reduction depending on the coupling medium state could bring about some mis-diagnoses for defects in the welding parts. The results proposed that for a reliable inspection of defects in welds the state of water medium should be kept in about 15 volume fractions (vol.%) of anti-corrosion agents and in minimized contaminants.