OJBECTIVE

The aim of this experiment is to prepare a

section of welded steel specimen for microscopic
examinations by grinding and polishing and to
compare the different microstructures that occur
due to the fusion welding.
RESULTS
Refer to last page.
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
1. Fusion Zone

The fusion zone can generally be

characterized by the presence of two
important microstructural features; Columnar
grains and Widmanstatten structures.

Under the microscope, the grains appear

elongated. This is due to the weld being
subjected to rapid cooling from its molten
state as steel is a good conducted of heat.
This results in chilled casting in the
material, bringing about the formation of
Columnar grains.
On the other hand, the large austenite grains
being put through a moderately fast cooling
rate results in the formation of
Widmanstatten structure.
2.Grain Growth Zone

The grain growth zone can be identified as

the demarcation between grain and growth
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zone and weld metal zone is generally more

distinct compared to other zones.
Under the microscope, the grains appear
larger and rounder as compared to other
zones. At this part of the material, the
temperature was still very high but it was
still lower than its melting point. As a result,
this exposure leads to the growth of
austenite grains. On cooling to room
temperature after the weld, this leads to the
formation of course ferrite grains and
Widmanstatten structure of ferrite and
pearlite occurs.

3.Grain Refinement Zone

The parent metal in this zone is being

heated to austenite phase during the weld. In
comparison to the temperature of the Grain
Growth Zone, the lower temperature in this
zone causes the austenite grains to nucleate
at many points to form smaller austenite
grains. Upon cooling, this results in the
formation of fine ferrite and pearlite grains.

Under the microscope, the grains in this

zone are observed to be much smaller
compared to the other regions.
4.Transition Zone

During welding, the parent metal in this

zone is heated to a temperature (less than at
the fusion zone) where ferrite and austenite
coexist. Therefore, mostly only perlite grains
were being transformed into small austenite
grains. Upon cooling of the material after
the weld, the formation of very fine pearlite
grains with ragged looking boundaries occur
among the mostly untransformed original
ferrite grains.

5. Unaffected Zone

Under the microscope, the grains are

observed to have no structural change. This
is because the parent metal was not heated
beyond the eutectoid temperature of 727C
in this region.

CONCLUSION
This experiment allowed us to experience the
process of preparing a specimen for microscopic
observations. Through proper grinding and
polishing, the specimen is rid of all scratches
and dirt. This results in a scratch free surface
ready for etching. A well prepared specimen is

essential for the examination of its

microstructure.
From the examination of the specimen, it
became apparent that different microstructures
can be formed depending on the region with
respect to the welded joint. We can observe that
the metal exhibits different grain structures due
to the change in temperature and corresponding
cooling rate, affecting the nucleation and
redistribution of the grains.
The study of metallography allows us to study
the joint strength of different welding types with
different metals, enabling us to better understand
the structural properties of materials and the
alteration of microstructures that occur after
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processing. This allows us to make better

choices in the selection of different materials for
the appropriate applications.