Dissimilar Joining of Zircaloy-4 to Type 304L Stainless Steel by Friction Welding Process

Zirconium- and titanium-based dissolver vessels containing highly radioactive and concentrated corrosive nitric acid solution needs to be joined to the rest of fuel reprocessing plant made of AISI type 304L stainless steel (SS), which demands high integrity and corrosion resistant dissimilar joints. Solid-state joining process of friction welding was proposed in the present work to join zircaloy-4 and type 304L SS since fusion welding processes produce brittle intermetallic precipitates at the interface which reduce the mechanical strength as well as the corrosion resistance of the joint. The present study attempts to optimize joining parameters, without and with thin Ta and Ni interlayers that can prevent brittle intermetallic formation. Tensile test, three-point bend test, and microhardness measurements were performed on the joints. Characterization techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed. A good friction weld joint of zircaloy-4 to 304L SS was achieved with the joint strength (similar to 540 MPa) greater than that of the base of zircaloy-4, without using any interlayer. A bend ductility of 5A degrees was only obtained without using any interlayer. However, XRD patterns indicated the presence of intermetallics in the friction-welded joints without interlayers. Corrosion test carried out on zircaloy-4 to 304L SS friction joint in boiling 11.5 M nitric acid exhibited corrosion rate of 225 mu m/year after 240 h. SEM examination of the corroded joint indicated severe intergranular corrosion attack over stainless steel and preferential dissolution at the interface.