Microstructural Evaluation of the High-Frequency Induction Welded Joints of Low Carbon Steel Pipes

The work presents the results of research on the structure of welded joints in the area of heat affected zone (HAZ). Based on precisely performed metallographic tests, the contribution of individual structural components in the area of welds of pipes welded with the induction method was assessed. The volume fraction of individual structural components in various areas of the heat affected zone, the size of the grain formed in the welding process, as well as its shape coefficients were determined. On the basis of metallographic observations, an attempt was made to describe the course of the pressure induction welding process, taking into account the structural changes, phase changes and the recovering and recrystallization processes taking place in this process.

Heat-Treated Ni-CNT Nanocomposites Produced by Powder Metallurgy Route

Nickel nanocomposites reinforced by carbon nanotubes (Ni-CNTs) are one of the possible candidates for applications in highly demanding industries such as the automotive and aerospace industries. As is well known, one of the limitations on the use of some materials in these applications is thermal stability. Some components in these industries are frequently subjected to high temperatures, which is crucial to understanding their microstructures and, consequently, their mechanical properties. For this reason, the main objective of this research is to understand the microstructural evolution of Ni-CNTs nanocomposites when subjected to heat treatment. The nanocomposites with varying levels of CNT content were produced by powder metallurgy, and unreinforced nickel was used for comparison purposes under the same conditions. The dispersion of CNTs, a critical aspect of nanocomposites production, was carried out by ultrasonication, which already proved its efficiency in previous research. The heat treatments were performed under high vacuum conditions at high temperatures (700 and 1100 °C for 30 and 120 min, respectively). Microhardness tests analyzed the mechanical properties while the extensive microstructural evaluation was conducted by combining advanced characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM. The obtained results are promising and show that the presence of CNTs can contribute to the thermal stability of the Ni-CNT nanocomposites produced.