Real time monitoring of phase transformation and strain evolution in LTT weld filler material using EDXRD

For a newly developed 10% Cr and 10% Ni low transformation temperature (LTT) weld filler material, the local phase transformation kinetics and the strain evolution during gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) under real welding conditions was studied. An experimental set-up and a measuring and evaluation strategy are presented to gain a real time insight into the welding process. The experiments were carried out at the beam line ID15@ESRF using a two detector EDXRD (energy dispersive X-ray diffraction) set-up and high energy synchrotron X-rays. The time-resolved diffraction analysis during welding was carried out locally throughout the weld in longitudinal as well as in transverse direction to the weld line to examine the interdependence of the strain state and the transformation kinetics. This comprehension is crucial for the optimization of the weld process, and thus for the tailoring of the resulting residual stress states, which is one of the main issues for the application of LTT alloys. Using the herein proposed approach EDXRD diffraction pattern can be monitored during real welding with a counting rate of 5 Hz. By means of the time resolved diffraction data the local transformation temperatures and times were determined and the local phasespecific strain evolutions are discussed with respect to the transformation rates and the time-delayed phase transformations.