HAZ hardenability in welded C-Mn steels: The role of prior microstructure

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:115439

Sarafinchin, D; Patchett, B M

The hardenability of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) in C-Mn steels is one of the primary influences on susceptibility to HAC in welded structures. Procedure control of HAZ hardness is based on the use of preheat and/or heat input to limit the peak HAZ hardness to 350--450 Hv10, depending on hydrogen level. Determination of procedural conditions depends on material thickness and carbon equivalent, but does not involve prior microstructure. This study investigated the influence of hot-rolled and normalized base metal microstructures on the level, development and location of peak hardness in steels of identical chemical composition. One heat of A516Gr70 steel in the hot-rolled condition was cut in two and one-half was normalized. This produced microstructures of differing grain size and pearlite coarseness. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) fusion welds at two heat inputs (0.5 and 2.5 KJ/mm) were placed in each of the two base metals. Macro-and microhardness surveys and metallographic analysis were used o determine the location and level of HAZ hardness. Carbon gradients due to incomplete dissolution of cementite and lack of time for homogenization by diffusion cause significant differences in macro-and microhardness of HAZ constituents in A516Gr70 weld zones. Increased pearlite grain size, and to a lesser extent, pearlite lamellar thickness, produce martensitic zones of high hardness in hot-rolled A516Gr70 in two regions: at temperatures just over the A{sub 3} and at temperatures just over the A{sub 1}. Of the two, the region just over the A{sub 3} although removed from the fusion line, has the highest HAZ hardness and is most likely to be susceptible to HAC. Normalized steel is likely to be more resistant to HAC in the HAZ than hot-rolled steel of identical chemical composition.

• OSTI ID: 115439
• Report Number(s): CONF-9404233--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
GAS METAL-ARC WELDING
GRAIN SIZE
HEAT TREATMENTS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROHARDNESS
MICROSTRUCTURE
STEEL-ASTM-A516