Effect of weld cooling rate on Laves phase formation in Inconel 718 fusion zone

Inconel 718 (2 mm thick) was welded using argon and helium gas shielded tungsten arc welding process with a filler metal. Both constant current and compound current pulse modes were applied and the cooling rates calculated. The dependence of Laves phase formation, dendrite arm spacing and niobium segregation ratios in fusion zone on the nature of shielding gases and current was studied. The maximum instantaneous weld cooling rate was achieved for the combination of Helium shielding gas and compound current pulse mode. This ultimately resulted in reduction of laves phase, segregation of niobium and dendrite arm spacing in the fusion zone.