Experimental Investigation on Single Pulse MIG Welding of Inconel 617

Inconel 617 is a nickel based super alloy which is widely used in the fabrication of boiler, aerospace, and automobile components. In this article, an attempt is made to join Inconel 617 using single pulse MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding process. 5 mm thick Inconel 617 plates were welded in butt joint configuration. Welding was carried out at two different heat inputs, viz. 620 J/mm and 660 J/mm. Weld quality was analyzed by measuring bead geometry, tensile strength, and impact strength. Full penetration was achieved in both the heat inputs. At higher heat input, lack of sidewall fusion was noticed. The tensile strength of the weld made at the lower heat input was 13.10% higher than the base metal, whereas the weld made at the higher heat input had tensile strength 56.66% lower than the base metal. The Impact strength of the weld made at lower heat input was 16.41% higher than the base metal. Whereas, the impact strength of the weld made at higher input was 30.35% lower than the base metal. The metallurgical characterization of the weld has also been discussed with the help of microstructures using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersion spectroscopy and electron backscattered diffraction.