Prediction of GCHAZ hardness in single pass arc and power beam welded plan and microalloyed C-Mn steels before and after PWHT

TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 778/2003

J M Nicholas and L S Smith

Background

Microstructural and performance modelling of steel heat-affected zones (HAZs) offers the potential for reduced costs and improved integrity of welded components. The work reported in this document was performed as part of TWI's contribution to an ECSC programme, collaborating with Corus, Arcelor, CEIT and CSM.

The current report covers the production of EB welded samples and the prediction of hardness in the as-welded condition and after postweld heat treatment (PWHT) in these and the metal active gas (MAG), submerged arc (SA) and laser welds generated by the other partners.

Objective

To predict peak grain coarsened HAZ (GCHAZ) hardness in single pass EB, laser, MAG and SA welds in C-Mn and microalloyed C-Mn steels, before and after PWHT.