journal article·2024-12Open access

Influence of welding methods on the microstructure of nickel-based weld metal for liquid hydrogen tanks

Chenjun Yu, Tomoya Kawabata, Shigetoshi Kyouno, Xixian Li, Shohei Uranaka, Daiki Maeda

Journal of Materials Science· Volume 59· Issue 48

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates the microstructure and hardness of weld metals used in liquid hydrogen storage tanks, with a focus on the effects of three welding methods: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). Finite element simulations were employed to model the temperature field during welding, aiding in the explanation of observed microstructural differences. The results show that while GTAW and SMAW produce weld metals with similar microstructures, SAW generates significantly larger grains with a pronounced preferential orientation. The use of weaving techniques play a key role in shaping the solidification microstructures. Additionally, the hardness of the weld metal is comparable to that of the base material, with a slight reduction corresponding to increased grain size. This research offers valuable insights into optimizing welding processes for liquid hydrogen storage tanks by addressing the microstructural characteristics that influence weld joint performance. Graphical Abstract
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion behaviors in metals · Nuclear Materials and Properties · Welding Techniques and Residual Stresses

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (53)

Show source-provided references
1. Rosen MA, Koohi-Fayegh S (2016) The prospects for hydrogen as an energy carrier: an overview of hydrogen energy and hydrogen energy systems. Energy Ecol Environ 1:10–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-016-0005-z10.1007/s40974-016-0005-z ↗
2. Abe JO, Popoola A, Ajenifuja E, Popoola OM (2019) Hydrogen energy, economy and storage: review and recommendation. Int J Hydrog Energy 44:15072–15086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.04.06810.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.04.068 ↗
3. Hara D (2019) Toward a hydrogen society—Introduction of representative projects in Japan. ECS Trans 91:3–7. https://doi.org/10.1149/09101.0003ecst10.1149/09101.0003ecst ↗
4. Iida S, Sakata K (2019) Hydrogen technologies and developments in Japan. Clean Energy 3:105–113. https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkz00310.1093/ce/zkz003 ↗
5. Ministerial Council on Renewable Energy Hydrogen and Related Issues, Basic Hydrogen Strategy, (2023), https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/enecho/shoene_shinene/suiso_seisaku/pdf/20230606_2.pdf
6. Arnold S, Bednarcyk B, Collier C, Yarrington P. Spherical cryogenic hydrogen tank preliminary design trade studies. In: 48th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference 2007 Aug (p. 2290).10.2514/6.2007-2290 ↗
7. Yu Y, Xie F, Zhu M, Yu S, Li Y (2023) Design and optimization of the insulation performance of a 4000 m3 liquid hydrogen spherical tank. Processes 11:1778. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr1106177810.3390/pr11061778 ↗
8. Kimura M, Kawabata T, Yoshikawa N, Arai Y, Kuroda T, Fujigiwa Y, Horino S (2022) Large scale liquid hydrogen tank that supports hydrogen supply chain system. Press Eng: J Jpn High Pressure Inst 60:24–30. https://doi.org/10.11181/hpi.60.2410.11181/hpi.60.24 ↗
9. Kawabata T. Material Reliable Evaluation Program for a Large Capacity Liquefied Storage Tank in Japan. In: ISOPE International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference 2023 Jun 19 (pp. ISOPE-I). ISOPE.
10. Serindağ HT, Tardu C, Kirçiçek İÖ, Çam G (2022) A study on microstructural and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc welded thick cryogenic 9% Ni alloy steel butt joint. CIRP J Manuf Sci Technol 37:1–1010.1016/j.cirpj.2021.12.006 ↗
11. Li K, Wang X, Rui S-S, Li X, Li S, Sun Q, Zhang Y, Cai Z (2022) Fatigue crack growth mechanism of Ni–based weld metal in a 9% Ni steel joint. Mater Sci Eng: A 832:142485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2021.14248510.1016/j.msea.2021.142485 ↗
12. Ogawa Y, Sakamoto M, Tomoya K, Ohyama M, Fukagawa M, Saiga Y (1978) LNG tank-its structure, the materials and welding techniques. Tetsu-to-Hagane 64:135–14410.2355/tetsutohagane1955.64.1_135 ↗
13. Mounce WS. Nine Percent Nickel-28 Years of Reliable Service in LNG Containment. NiDI Technical Series. (10030), https://nickelinstitute.org/media/8daa618cfd28feb/10030_ninepercentnickel_28yearsofreliableserviceinlngcontainment.pdf
14. Tharby RH, Heath DJ, Flannery JW, Delaney GL (1976) Welding 9% nickel steel: a review of the current practices. https://nickelinstitute.org/media/8d91ba67f30a551/ni_inco_1208_welding9_nickelsteel_areviewofthecurrentpractices.pdf
15. Nishi T (1980) Study on the Welding of 9%Ni steel. Tetsu-to-Hagane 66:565–57210.2355/tetsutohagane1955.66.5_565 ↗
16. Katayama N, Imamura K, Yamakawa T, Hirose H (1994) Welding technique for low temperature service storage tank.; trend and subjects. Chijoshiki teion choso to yosetsu gijutsu.; Genjo to kongo no doko. J Jpn Weld Soc 63(2):104–109. https://doi.org/10.2207/qjjws1943.63.10410.2207/qjjws1943.63.104 ↗
17. Dwivedi SK, Vishwakarma M (2018) Hydrogen embrittlement in different materials: a review. Int J Hydrog Energy 43:21603–21616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.09.20110.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.09.201 ↗
18. Nagumo M (2016) Fundamentals of hydrogen embrittlement. Springer, Singapore10.1007/978-981-10-0161-1 ↗
19. Omura T, Nakamura J, Hirata H, Jotoku K, Ueyama M, Osuki T, Terunuma M (2016) Effect of surface hydrogen concentration on hydrogen embrittlement properties of stainless steels and Ni based alloys. ISIJ Int 56:405–412. https://doi.org/10.2355/isijinternational.ISIJINT-2015-268710.2355/isijinternational.ISIJINT-2015-2687 ↗
20. Szummer A (2002) Comparison of hydrogen embrittlement of stainless steels and nickel-base alloys. Int J Hydrog Energy 27:793–800. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-3199(01)00151-310.1016/S0360-3199(01)00151-3 ↗
21. Kawano K (2017) Hydrogen-affected dislocation in Ni–based alloys. Tech Rep Nippon Steel Sumitomo Metal Corp 114:53–60
22. Ogawa Y, Sakamoto M, Toyomasu K, Ohyama M, Fukagawa M, Saiga Y (1978) LNG tank-its structure, the materials and welding techniques. Tetsu-to-Hagane 64:135–14410.2355/tetsutohagane1955.64.1_135 ↗
23. Kim B, Park J, Lee J, Lee J, Kim M (2020) Effects of the welding process and consumables on the fracture behavior of 9 wt.% nickel steel. Exp Tech 44:175–18610.1007/s40799-019-00321-3 ↗
24. Zaripov MZ, Yalchigulov RS (2022) Welding technology for liquefied natural gas tanks. IOP Conf Ser: Earth Environ Sci 988(3):032039. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/988/3/03203910.1088/1755-1315/988/3/032039 ↗
25. Suzuki M (2009) Flux cored welding wire for 9%Ni steel. Res Dev Kobe Steel Eng Rep 59:111–115
26. Andersson J-O, Helander T, Höglund L, Shi P, Sundman B (2002) Thermo-Calc & DICTRA, computational tools for materials science. Calphad 26:273–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0364-5916(02)00037-810.1016/S0364-5916(02)00037-8 ↗
27. Deng D, Murakawa H (2008) Prediction of welding distortion and residual stress in a thin plate butt-welded joint. Comput Mater Sci 43:353–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2007.12.00610.1016/j.commatsci.2007.12.006 ↗
28. Goldak J, Chakravarti A, Bibby M (1984) A new finite element model for welding heat sources. Metal Trans B 15:299–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF0266733310.1007/BF02667333 ↗
29. I.O.F. Standardization, Microbeam analysis — Electron backscatter diffraction — Measurement of average grain size, in, 2020.
30. Ju S-P, Wang C-T, Chien C-H, Huang JC, Jian S-R (2007) The nanoindentation responses of nickel surfaces with different crystal orientations. Mol Simul 33(11):905–917. https://doi.org/10.1080/0892702070139295410.1080/08927020701392954 ↗
31. Hall E (1951) The deformation and ageing of mild steel: III discussion of results. Proceed Phys Soc Sect B 64:747. https://doi.org/10.1088/0370-1301/64/9/30310.1088/0370-1301/64/9/303 ↗
32. Hall E (1954) Variation of hardness of metals with grain size. Nature 173:948–949. https://doi.org/10.1038/173948b010.1038/173948b0 ↗
33. Petch NJ (1953) The cleavage strength of polycrystals. J Iron Steel Inst 174:25–28
34. Smith G, Patel S (2005) The role of niobium in wrought precipitation-hardened nickel-base alloys. Superalloys 718:135–154
35. Lundin C (1982) Dissimilar metal welds-transition joints literature review. Weld J 61:58–63
36. Pan C, Wang R, Gui J, Shi Y (1990) Direct TEM observation of microstructures of the austenitic/carbon steels welded joint. J Mater Sci 25(7):3281–3285. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF0058768710.1007/BF00587687 ↗
37. Lippold JC, Kiser SD, DuPont JN (2011) Welding metallurgy and weldability of nickel-base alloys. Wiley, New York
38. Flemings MC (1974) Solidification processing. Metal Mater Trans B 5:2121–213410.1007/BF02643923 ↗
39. El-Batahgy A, Gumenyuk A, Gook S, Rethmeier M (2018) Comparison between GTA and laser beam welding of 9% Ni steel for critical cryogenic applications. J Mater Process Technol 261:193–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2018.05.02310.1016/j.jmatprotec.2018.05.023 ↗
40. Kawabata T, Konda N, Arimochi K, Hirose H, Muramoto S, Hirai S (2010) Consideration on the toughness requirement to the austenitic weld metal in the LNG storage tanks subjected to a partial height Hydro test. Mater Sci Forum 638–642:3679–3686. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.638-642.367910.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.638-642.3679 ↗
41. Kobayashi N, Koyama M, Kobayashi K, Hojo T, Akiyama E (2022) Hydrogen embrittlement behavior of pure Ni and Ni–20Cr alloy with different grain sizes. Mater Trans 63:247–256. https://doi.org/10.2320/matertrans.MT-M202117010.2320/matertrans.MT-M2021170 ↗
42. Li C, Dang S (2022) First-principles study on the effects of selected alloying elements on the generalized stacking fault energies of nickel. Eur Phys J B 95:36. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/s10051-022-00289-x10.1140/epjb/s10051-022-00289-x ↗
43. Delafosse D, Feaugas X, Aubert I, Saintier N, Olive JM. Hydrogen effects on the plasticity of fcc nickel and austenitic alloys. In: Proceedings of the 2008 International Hydrogen Conference 2009 (pp. 78-87).
44. Zhou X, Nowak C, Skelton R, Foster M, Ronevich J, San Marchi C, Sills R (2022) An Fe–Ni–Cr–H interatomic potential and predictions of hydrogen-affected stacking fault energies in austenitic stainless steels. Int J Hydrog Energy 47:651–665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.09.26110.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.09.261 ↗
45. Fletcher M (1970) Electron-beam welding of nimonic 80 A. Weld Metal Fabr 38:113–115
46. Thompson R, Cassimus J, Mayo D, Dobbs J (1985) The relationship between grain size and microfissuring in alloy 718. Weld J 64:91s–96s
47. Chen S, Zhao M, Rong L (2014) Effect of grain size on the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of a precipitation strengthened Fe–Ni based alloy. Mater Sci Eng: A 594:98–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2013.11.06210.1016/j.msea.2013.11.062 ↗
48. Khalid H, Shunmugasamy VC, DeMott RW, Hattar K, Mansoor B (2024) Effect of grain size and precipitates on hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of nickel alloy 718. Int J Hydrog Energy 55:474–49010.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.11.233 ↗
49. Oudriss A, Creus J, Bouhattate J, Conforto E, Berziou C, Savall C, Feaugas X (2012) Grain size and grain-boundary effects on diffusion and trapping of hydrogen in pure nickel. Acta Mater 60:6814–6828. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2012.09.00410.1016/j.actamat.2012.09.004 ↗
50. Patra P, Dey S, Gayathri N, Mukherjee P (2024) Influence of alloying elements on stacking fault energy in Ni and Ni–based alloy: a first–principles study. Comput Theor Chem 1240:114815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comptc.2024.11481510.1016/j.comptc.2024.114815 ↗
51. Lu G, Bulatov VV, Kioussis N (2002) Dislocation constriction and cross-slip: an ab initio study. Phys Rev B 66:14410310.1103/PhysRevB.66.144103 ↗
52. Hui J, Yang G, Liu M, Liu W, Wang B (2020) Effects of alloy compositions on hydrogen behaviors at a nickel grain boundary and a coherent twin boundary. Int J Hydrog Energy 45:10951–1096110.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.02.008 ↗
53. Nazmy M, Denk J, Baumann R, Künzler A (2003) Environmental effects on tensile and low cycle fatigue behavior of single crystal nickel base superalloys. Scripta Mater 48:519–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-6462(02)00506-710.1016/S1359-6462(02)00506-7 ↗