Thermal Cycle Simulation of Heat Affected Zone in the Welded Mild Steel

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the microstructure evolution of simulated heat affected zone in mild steel using thermal cycle simulation and it was compared to the heat affected zone in the real welded joint. The optical microscopy, micro-hardness measurements, X-ray diffraction were used as characterization techniques. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the simulated heat affected zone were also determined. The use of the thermal cycle simulation technique revealed in detail the different microstructures in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of the welded joint. Some similarities were observed between the heat affected zone obtained by the thermal cycle simulation technique and the heat affected zone observed in the real welded joint. The thermal cycle simulation technique revealed more details about the microstructure and mechanical behavior of the heat-affected zone. The HAZ microhardness values were lowest hardness in the welded joint. Moreover, the lowest hardness value is obtained for the HAZ simulated at 850°C.