Impact properties of electron beam welds of V–4Ti–4Cr alloys NIFS-HEAT-2 and CEA-J57

The Charpy impact properties and microstructure of bead-on-plate electron beam welds of V–4Ti–4Cr alloys NIFS-HEAT-2 (NH-2) and CEA-J57 (J57) were investigated. Weld metal of both grades demonstrated increase in hardness (HV100 ∼ 180) in comparison with base metal (HV100 ∼ 135) due to decomposition of Ti–C,O,N precipitates followed by the solid-solution hardening of V-matrix with oxygen. Hardness decreases gradually from the weld metal through the heat affected zone toward the base metal indicating partial decomposition of precipitation bands from the side of heat affected zone directly adjoining weld metal. The latter consists of columnar crystallites (grains) possessing with inner dendritic structure and elongated from the center of weld belt in the direction of heat removal. Thickness of weld metal does not exceed 1 mm while heat affected zone is about 3 mm thick. Absorbed energies of weld metal are superior in comparison with base metal for both grades (NH-2 and J57) while the fracture mode is mainly ductile in the temperature range of impact test from 17 to −196 °C.