Effect of temperature on microstructure and mechanical behavior of diffusion bonded Armor 500 and AISI 1040 steels

Abstract The purpose of this study is to join Armor 500 steel and medium carbon steel (AISI 1040) by using diffusion welding and to experimentally examine the effect of welding temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties. Diffusion welded joints were performed at 700, 800, 900 and 1000 °C, under a pressure of 3 MPa and for a welding period of 30 minutes. In order to determine the structural changes occurring in the joint zone; SEM and EDS analyses were conducted. Also, microhardness and overlapping shifting tests were carried out in order to determine the mechanical behaviors. Based on the experiment results, it was observed that welding temperature had an important effect on the strengths of diffusion welded joints. Consequently, it was determined that a sample joined at 900 °C had a strength of 960 MPa.