Influence of process parameters on impact toughness and hardness of dissimilar AISI 4140 and AISI 304 continuous drive friction welds

Abstract

Dissimilar joints between austenitic stainless steel and low alloy steel are extensively used in many high temperature applications in the energy conversion systems. In the present investigation, emphasis is made on the influence of process parameters on the impact toughness and hardness of the friction welded joints between these two materials. The important process parameters in friction welding such as friction force, forge force, and burn-off lengths are considered for optimization by Taguchi method using L8 27 orthogonal array. It is found that under low friction force, forging force, and burn-off conditions, the impact toughness is high due to the observed acicular martensite. Low impact toughness is reported for the welds made at higher levels of the parameters. Carbon depletion is also observed close to interface in low alloy steel side. Microhardness at the weld center is less than the microhardness on either side at the interface of low alloy steel and austenitic stainless steel close to weld center. The contribution of each parameter and significance of interactions of these parameters is determined by Taguchi method. Among these parameters, friction force has significant influence and forging force has negligible influence on microhardness. The burn-off has maximum influence while forge force has minimum effect on toughness of the welds. Statistical analysis of variance is carried out, optimum process parameters are evaluated, and regression equations are obtained.