Energy-input-based finite-element process modeling of inertia welding

A coupled thermal and mechanical finite-element (FE) model has been developed to describe the inertia welding of RR1000 nickel-base superalloy tubes using the DEFORM 7.2 FE package. The energy input rate is derived from measurements of torque, angular rotation speed, and upset taken from actual inertia welding trials. The model predicts the thermal history of the joint as well as the deformation pattern and final residual stresses. The thermal variation has been validated by a microstructural study of the weld region of the trial joints. Thermal profile predictions have been made for three welds having the same initial kinetic rotational energy but different levels of flywheel inertia and rotational velocity. The concomitant residual stress predictions have been compared with nondestructive neutron diffraction residual stress measurements. The implications of the results for inertia welding are discussed.