Appreciable-tuned ferrite/austenite phase balance in the fusion zone of GTAW welds via an assisted magnetic field

Abstract In the present paper, a transverse magnetic field was applied to gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) for 2205 DSS in order to regulate the weld microstructure, which has not been investigated so far. The results indicated that the application of magnetic field not only can increase the austenite/ferrite phase ratio of the welds, but also refine the ferrite grains, and a magnetic field with a frequency of 1 Hz worked best. Both of the above can be attributed to the slower cooling rate of the welding pool with arc oscillation. Hardness test showed that the arc oscillation exerted a significant influence on hardness distribution. Under the effect of a low frequency (1 Hz) magnetic field, the hardness level of the weld metal was close to that of the base material. However, when no magnetic field was applied, the hardness level of the weld increased.