Abstract
This study has evaluated the liquation cracking behavior in the heat affected zone of several Ni base superalloys (Incoloy 825, Inconel 718 and Inconel 600). 304 and 310S austenitic stainless steels were also included for comparison. In addition, the mechanism of liquation cracking in the HAZ was postulated based on the extensive microstructural examinations with SEM, EDAX and TEM. The liquation cracking resistance of Ni base alloys was found to be far inferior to that of austenitic stainless steels. The liquation cracking of Incoloy 825 and Inconel 718 was believed to be closely related with the Laves-austenite(Ti rich in 825 and Nb rich in 718) and MC-austenitic eutectic phases formed along the grain boundaries by constitutional liquation and incipient melting under rapid welding thermal contraction. Further, liquation cracking resistance of the HAZ was dependent not only upon the type and amount of low melting phases but also on the grain size.
