Microstructural evolution and mechanical integrity relationship of dissimilar metal welding between 2205 duplex stainless steel and composite bimetallic plates

In this paper, shielded metal arc welding on the dissimilar joint between 2205 duplex stainless steel and composite bimetallic plates (304 L stainless steel/10CrNi3MoV steel) with a filler metal E2209 was performed. Furthermore, the microstructure, phase, mechanical properties and intergranular corrosion resistance of the joints were investigated and element distributions of the interfaces were characterized. The results show that austenite transformed to ferrite under the influence of welding thermal cycle, and then a large amount of ferrite appeared in heat affected zone (HAZ) of 2205 duplex stainless steel. Coarse bainite grains were formed in HAZ of the 10CrNi3MoV steel near the fusion line with high temperature welding thermal cycle. Fine granular bainite was also generated in HAZ of 10CrNi3MoV steel due to the relatively short exposure time to the active temperature of grain growth. Local peak temperature near the base 10CrNi3MoV steel was still high enough to recrystallize the 10CrNi3MoV steel to form partial-recrystallization HAZ due to phase change. The filler metal was compatible with the three kinds of base materials. The thickness of the elemental diffusion interfaces layers was about 100 µm. The maximum microhardness value was obtained in the HAZ of 2205 duplex stainless steel (287 ± 14 HV), and the minimum one appeared in HAZ of SS304L (213 ± 5 HV). The maximum tensile strength of the welded joint was about 670 ± 6 MPa, and the tensile specimens fractured in ductile at matrix of the composite bimetallic plates. The impact energy of the weld metal and HAZ of the 10CrNi3MoV steel tested at –20 °C were 274 ± 6 J and 308 ± 5 J, respectively. Moreover, the intergranular corrosion resistance of the weldment including 304 L stainless steel, weld metal, HAZs and 2205 duplex stainless steel was in good agreement with the functional design requirements of materials corrosion resistance.