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Microstructure and mechanical properties of borated stainless steel (304B) GTA and SMA welds
Published in Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia
2015
Volume: 107
   
Issue: 5
Pages: 47 - 52
Abstract
Borated stainless steels are used in nuclear power plants due to their high capacity to absorb thermal neutrons. Borated Stainless Steels are being used to control neutron criticality in reactors as control rods, shielding material, spent fuel storage racks and transportation casks. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the microstructural and mechanical properties of the borated stainless steel welds made on 10 mm thick plates, using SMA Wand autogenous GTA W welding processes. Microstructural investigations revealed that the fusion zone in GTAWexhibited dendritic structure with eutectic constituents in interdendritic regions. GTA welds failed in the partially melted zones formed immediately adjacent to the fusion zone, while the SMA W welds failed in the base metal because of the high heat input used per pass in GTA process resulting in larger PMZ. The heat input in GTAW was very high compared to the SMA W while both the welds exhibited high joint efficiencies, SMA welds were found to be superior. Impact testing revealed that welds made using SMA exhibited significantly higher toughness as the filler does not contain boron. It has been concluded that high efficiency welded joints can be made on 304B plates using both the processes.
About the journal
JournalMetallurgia Italiana
PublisherAssociazione Italiana di Metallurgia
ISSN00260843
Open AccessNo
Concepts (18)
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    CONTROL RODS
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    Fuel storage
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    Impact testing
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    Materials handling
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    Mechanical properties
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    Nuclear power plants
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    Nuclear reactors
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    Plates (structural components)
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    REACTOR SHIELDING
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    Tungsten
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    Welding
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    Welds
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    304B
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    308-16
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    BORATED STAINLESS STEEL
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    GTAW
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    SMAW
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    Stainless steel