Effect of Ni-based Fillers on Corrosion Resistance of Heat Affected Zone of Super Austenitic Stainless Steel (UNS S31254) Welded by GTAW

The effect of Ni-based fillers on corrosion resistance of welded super austenitic stainless steel (SASS) was examined. The use of Ni-based fillers for gas tungsten arc welded SASS leads to the formation of fine Cr-Mo enriched phase in its weld unmixed zone, which makes it more susceptible to the localized corrosion. The metallographic observations showed that the pits were initiated around the fine Cr-Mo enriched phase precipitated in unmixed zone, and they were propagated along the base metal. The degree of corrosion damage among the welded samples using the three types of Ni-based fillers (Inconel 625, Inconel 622, Hastelloy 276) increased with the Mo contents in the fillers applied. The higher the Mo contents in the fillers, the higher the size/number ratio of Cr-Mo enriched phase with higher concentration of Mo, precipitated in unmixed zone. Based on the results, it is proposed that the Mo contents in Ni-based high alloyed fillers can have a great effect on the precipitation behavior of Cr-Mo enriched phase in unmixed zone, causing deterioration of corrosion resistance of SASS welds. Therefore, the Mo content in the filler should be optimized with the content similar to that of the base metal so as not to susceptible to localized corrosion.