Microsegregation And Precipitates In Inconel 625 Arc Weld Overlay Coatings On Boiler Pipes

The aim of this work was to investigate the microsegregation and precipitates formed due to segregation in Inconel 625 arc weld overlay coatings on boiler pipes. Examination of microsegregation and precipitates were carried out by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an EDS detector as well as a transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with a HAADF (STEM) and an EDS detectors. The presence of precipitations in the weld overlay was also confirmed with X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) of residue in the form of powder that remained after the electrolytic dissolution of weld overlay matrix.The investigations showed that the interdendritic regions were considerably enriched during microsegregation with Nb, and less so with Mo. The distribution of Cr and Fe in the weld overlay is relatively uniform. The value of the partition coefficient k for Mo and Nb is lower than 1. Therefore, these elements segregate during solidification into the liquid and, once solidification is finished, the interdendritic regions are considerably enriched with these elements. The value of k for Cr, Ni and Fe are only slightly higher than 1. Though the Inconel 625 is a solid-solution strengthened alloy, precipitation of secondary phases occurs in weld overlays. Precipitations were identified as a Laves phase and carbonitrides (Nb, Ti)(C, N).