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Effect of nitrogen on the microstructure and stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel weld metals

Conference · · Weld. J. (Miami); (United States)
OSTI ID:6170918
 [1]; ;
  1. Air Force Materials Lab., Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH

The nitrogen content of conventionally-produced 18Cr-8Ni stainless steel weld metals can vary considerably. Variations in base and filler metal nitrogen contents and nitrogen pickup from the atmosphere during welding can result in weld metal nitrogen contents ranging from below 0.04 to above 0.3 wt-%. The importance of nitrogen content on 18Cr-8Ni weld metal properties has been undetermined. Results of the present investigation show that nitrogen content in a range from approximately 0.04 to 0.25 wt-% influences both the mode of weld metal solidification and weld metal stress-corrosion cracking properties. Increased nitrogen contents promote the primary solidification of austenite. At high nitrogen levels (greater than about 0.2 wt-%) an entirely austenitic room-temperature microstructure is produced. Stress-corrosion crack propagation in these weld metals occurs interfacially at austenite-ferrite boundaries in the weld metal substructure.

OSTI ID:
6170918
Journal Information:
Weld. J. (Miami); (United States), Journal Name: Weld. J. (Miami); (United States) Vol. 58:3; ISSN WEJUA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English