<p>The effect of rotational speed on the microstructural evolution and mechanical performance of dissimilar rotary friction-welded joints between 304L austenitic stainless steel and XC48 carbon steel is investigated. Welding was performed at rotational speeds of 700, 1400, and 2000 rpm, and the resulting joints were characterized using optical microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), complemented by microhardness mapping and tensile tests. Increasing rotational speed promotes pronounced microstructural heterogeneity, characterized by grain refinement, elemental interdiffusion across the weld interface, and the development of strong texture gradients from the weld zone (WZ) to the heat-affected zones (HAZ). EBSD analysis reveals distinct recrystallization mechanisms in each steel, with discontinuous dynamic recrystallization dominating in 304L stainless steel and continuous dynamic recrystallization prevailing in XC48 steel. At high rotational speeds, intense deformation-induced textures develop in 304L (<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\left(111\right)\left[1\overline{1 }0\right]$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mfenced close=")" open="("> <mn>111</mn> </mfenced> <mfenced close="]" open="["> <mn>1</mn> <mover> <mn>1</mn> <mo>¯</mo> </mover> <mn>0</mn> </mfenced> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\left(111\right)\left[1\overline{2 }1\right]$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mrow> <mfenced close=")" open="("> <mn>111</mn> </mfenced> <mfenced close="]" open="["> <mn>1</mn> <mover> <mn>2</mn> <mo>¯</mo> </mover> <mn>1</mn> </mfenced> </mrow> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>), whereas XC48 exhibits a weaker Brass-type texture. These results provide quantitative insight into the role of rotational speed in controlling microstructure and properties in dissimilar steel friction welds. The highest hardness value was recorded in the interface zone of the welded joint, particularly for the highest rotational speed. In addition, tensile tests revealed that the welded joint produced at a rotational speed of 2000 rpm exhibited the highest ultimate tensile strength.</p>

Microstructural and Mechanical Assessment of Rotary Friction-Welded Joints between Austenitic Stainless Steel and Medium-Carbon Steel

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发表日期：

2026年7月16日

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Yazid Helal,
Zakaria Boumerzoug,
Jairo Alberto Muñoz Bolaños,
José María Cabrera Marrero,
Abdelhak Ayad,
Elhadj Raouache,
Billel Cheniti

摘要

The effect of rotational speed on the microstructural evolution and mechanical performance of dissimilar rotary friction-welded joints between 304L austenitic stainless steel and XC48 carbon steel is investigated. Welding was performed at rotational speeds of 700, 1400, and 2000 rpm, and the resulting joints were characterized using optical microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), complemented by microhardness mapping and tensile tests. Increasing rotational speed promotes pronounced microstructural heterogeneity, characterized by grain refinement, elemental interdiffusion across the weld interface, and the development of strong texture gradients from the weld zone (WZ) to the heat-affected zones (HAZ). EBSD analysis reveals distinct recrystallization mechanisms in each steel, with discontinuous dynamic recrystallization dominating in 304L stainless steel and continuous dynamic recrystallization prevailing in XC48 steel. At high rotational speeds, intense deformation-induced textures develop in 304L ( $\left(111\right)\left[1\overline{1 }0\right]$ $(111) [1, \bar{1}, 0]$ , $\left(111\right)\left[1\overline{2 }1\right]$ $(111) [1, \bar{2}, 1]$ ), whereas XC48 exhibits a weaker Brass-type texture. These results provide quantitative insight into the role of rotational speed in controlling microstructure and properties in dissimilar steel friction welds. The highest hardness value was recorded in the interface zone of the welded joint, particularly for the highest rotational speed. In addition, tensile tests revealed that the welded joint produced at a rotational speed of 2000 rpm exhibited the highest ultimate tensile strength.