Dissimilar Welding of Maraging Steel (250) and 13-8 Mo Stainless Steel by GTCAW, LBW and EBW Processes

Abstract

The frequently used aerospace materials, i.e., ultra-high-strength maraging steel (250) and corrosion-resistant 13-8 Mo stainless steel in the solution-annealed and cold-worked condition, have been joined by three fusion welding processes, namely interpulse TIG welding, and high energy density fusion processes like electron beam welding (EBW) and laser beam welding (LBW). The interpulse TIG welding process was carried out by using W2 grade maraging steel filler wire. The dissimilar joints were welded by EBW and LBW processes without any filler wire. All the dissimilar welded joints were characterized by microstructural observations and validated by mechanical properties in the as-welded as well as precipitation-hardened conditions after welding. The weld microstructures and microhardness profiles were correlated to the tensile strength of weld. Electron beam welded joint with precipitation hardening after welding, i.e., soaking at 510 °C and subsequent air cooling, demonstrated the superior mechanical properties among all the welds.