Microstructural analysis of cladding on AISI H13 tool steel by GMAW conventional and GMAW-P process with frequency variation
摘要
This work compares the microstructure and microhardness of claddings on H13 tool steel plates using DC-GMAW (22 v, 96 A) and DP-GMAW (19.8 v, 96 A) processes. For DP-GMAW, 1–20 Hz pulsed cycles were tested. Both processes used a preheat of 300 °C to prevent cracking at the fusion line. Optical microscopy (OM) was used to analyze the microstructure, while microhardness profiles were carried out to track local variations in mechanical properties. The results showed no visible defect at the weld metal/base metal interface. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) contained high temperature (HT) and low temperature (LT) zones, microhardness decreases at the LT-HAZ due to martensite coarsening. The 6 and 10 Hz provided a more homogeneous microhardness profile between the HT-HAZ and the LT-HAZ compared to the other conditions. According to data, the most optimal condition to perform claddings by DP-GMAW is with pulsed cycle of 10 Hz.
Graphical abstract