Microstructural characterization of a maraging steel welded by three different processes: TIG, Plasma and Laser

• Grant number: 15/01318-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2015
• End date: January 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerospace Structures
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Jorge Abdalla
• Grantee: Cecília Vieira Gomes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Estudos Avançados (IEAv). Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial (DCTA). Ministério da Defesa (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The maraging steels are part of a set of advanced materials of interest to the national technological development. Brazil has infrastructure, however, little experience in the production of maraging steel compared to conventional steels. It takes more intense investments to enable domestic production of these materials, but would be essential for nuclear and aerospace sectors which, even today, are dependent on import and sale of maraging steel is controlled by producing countries. Regarding the laser welding process of this material there are few studies, although there is interest from the aviation and aerospace industry with the material, making it important and urgent studies on the feasibility of welding of these materials and the determination of the best parameters to optimize welding process. This study aims to compare the traditional processes of welding (TIG and Plasma) with the laser welding process. This research plan continues the study of aerospace steels that have been developed from the inter-institutional project approved by CAPES, involving the Faculty of Engineering of Guaratinguetá- UNESP, the Technological Institute of Aeronautics - ITA, the Institute for Advanced Study - IEAv /DCTA and the School of Engineering Lorena - EEL / USP. This work is intended primarily perform microstructural characterization by optical microscopy and micro hardness analysis of a maraging steel 300 welded by TIG, Plasma and Laser process. Subsequently, the mechanical properties in tensile test of maraging 300 steel welded in each of the three suggested methods are compared.