Advanced microstructural characterisation of cast ATI 718Plus®-effect of homogenisation heat treatments on secondary phases and repair welding behaviour

The influence of base metal conditions on the weld cracking behaviour of cast ATI 718Plus (R) is investigated by comparing 4 h and 24 h dwell time pseudo-hip homogenisation heat treatments at 1120, 1160 and 1190 degrees C with the as-cast microstructure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) on electrolytically extracted powder and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to identify Nb-rich secondary phases in interdendritic areas as the C14 Laves phase and Nb(Ti) MC-type carbides. All homogenisation heat treatments but the 1120 degrees C 4-h condition dissolve the Laves phase. A repair welding operation was simulated by linear groove multi-pass manual gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). The Laves phase containing microstructures resulted in lower total crack length for heat affected zone cracking. Constitutional liquation of Nb(Ti) MC-type carbides is observed as a liquation mechanism in Laves-free microstructure, while thick liquid film formation due to the Laves eutectic melting could reduce the formation of weld cracks in microstructures containing the Laves phase.