May - June 2000
By joining Group Sponsored R&D Projects TWI Industrial Members gain access to substantial programmes at low cost, with the opportunity to steer work undertaken into areas of specific interest. The following GSP's have been, or are about to be, launched.
For a full list of proposed, active and closed projects see here
Effect of intermetallic phases in corrosion resistance of thin section high alloy stainless steel weldments
To start April 2000
Duration one year
Cost per sponsor £15 000
(buy back fee of £20 000)
Project leader: P Woollin
A previous GSP has established that high alloy weldments which contained 2-3% intermetallic phase did not suffer significant corrosion under simulated service. The proposed project will test weld samples with a higher intermetallic content by establishing the intermetallic phase formation in welds in ~3mm section super duplex and super austenitic steels and determining the effect of the HAZ intermetallic phase on corrosion resistance using accelerated short term tests. The project will assist welding procedure specification and give increased confidence in the use of welded structures in such materials with associated benefit to fabricators, steelmakers, consumable manufacturers and end users.
Twin and tandem gas metal arc welding - joint EWI/TWI project
Launched February 2000
Duration two years
Cost per sponsor $30000pa
Project leader: S Mulligan
Several variants of twin and tandem gas metal arc welding (GMAW) have been introduced commercially over the last few years. Many of these systems have been developed in Europe and have not yet been widely distributed in the US. These two-wire systems have potential to reduce welding production costs. Fabricators cannot afford to ignore the potential benefits of these systems in the current competitive welding market. Sponsors will receive an in-depth evaluation of the performance and application of these two-wire systems. Included will be data on achievable deposition rates and welding speeds, production tolerances (gap tolerance, misalignment) and welding procedure data for the sponsors' own applications.
Improving the reliability and cost performance of thermally sprayed aluminium coatings
Launched June 2000
Duration two years
Cost per sponsor £12 500K pa
Project leader: R Halldearn
Thermally sprayed aluminium (TSA) coatings are widely specified for protection of steel structures and components against saline corrosion, but there is increasing industrial need to extend its application to very severe environments including deep water, and to reduce the cost for existing applications. The objective of the project is to develop improved TSA coatings through evaluation and validation of recently developed thermal spray equipment and sealant compositions. Benefits will include improved coatings, reduced application and maintenance costs, and a reduction in the operator exposure to respirable fume and the risk of fire or explosion from residual fine metal dust.
The significance of intermetallic and nitride precipitates in duplex and super duplex stainless steel
Start June 2000
Duration one year
Cost per sponsor £7 500
Project leader: P Woollin
Duplex and super duplex steels require accurately controlled heat treatment to avoid development of deleterious phases. In recent months the offshore industry has incurred significant costs due to the presence of such deleterious phases in forged products. This project aims to (i) identify preferred methods of identification and quantification of such phases, and (ii) generate mechanical, corrosion and environmental cracking data to allow engineering judgement of fitness-for-service of such forgings.
