Evaluation of microstructure and corrosion behavior of dissimilar laser joint between Inconel 625 and AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel

Dissimilar weld joints between stainless steels and nickel based super alloys are extensively used in petrochemical, gas and oil applications. These joints jave great challenges from metallurgical transformations point of view. In this research, microstructural evolutions and corrosion behavior of laser weld joint between Inconel 625 and AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel were investigated. Ferritic stainless steels are less expensive and have magnetic properties in comparison with austenitic stainless steels. Scanning electron microscope and optical microscope were used in order to study the microstructures of weld metal and heat affected zone. It was found that fine dendritic microstructuresare formed in the weld metal which  isgrown in a competition manner. An epitaxial growth was observed in the interface between AISI base metal and weld metal. No considerable grain growth was observed in the heat affected zone on Inconel 625. Corrosion resistance of weld joint was investigated in 3.5 % wtNaCl solution using potantiodynamic polarization test. It was concluded that corrosion resistance is increased from AISI 430 base metal toward Inconel 625 base metal.