Effect of Heat Treatment on Mechanical Properties of GH3536 Superalloy Welded by Oscillating Laser
摘要
This study investigates the microstructural and mechanical evolution of GH3536 nickel-based superalloy joints produced by circular beam oscillation laser welding under three post-weld heat treatment regimes: aging treatment (AT), solution treatment (ST), and solution + aging (ST + AT). The as-welded joint shows no defects and forms an hourglass-shaped fusion zone with fine cellular-dendritic structures. AT retains the original microstructure but induces continuous M23C6 precipitation along grain boundaries, yielding the highest hardness ( + 15 pct) and room-temperature strength (UTS + 20 pct), yet at the cost of a 43.6 pct loss in elongation. ST completely recrystallizes the microstructure into 8–15 μm equiaxed grains and precipitates dispersed M6C carbides. It increases strength by 20.4 pct and slightly improves ductility. ST + AT preserves the fine equiaxed structure, produces only discontinuous refined M6C without brittle M23C6 films, and delivers the optimal strength–ductility synergy with only a 9 pct reduction in elongation. Strengthening is primarily attributed to the Orowan bypassing mechanism of M6C carbides, which effectively impedes dislocation motion and suppresses crack propagation.