Analysis of Dissimilar Metal Welds: X3CRNIMO.13-4 (1.4313) & CarbonSteel S355J2+N

Abstract

In manufacturing, many applications require welding of dissimilar materials. Stainless steel and carbon steel are often welded together in applications such as nuclear, hydro power, chemical, and petrochemical plants. Sufficient data on welding of such dissimilar materials may not be available or may insufficient. Samples ofX3CrNiMo.13-4 stainless steel and S355J2+N carbon steel used by Heavy Engineering Ltd Company in hydro power project were used in this study. The samples were welded as per their procedures at specified voltages and feed speeds. The as received samples were sectioned and prepared for optical and microstructural analysis.Tensile, impact and hardnesstests were carried out to evaluate mechanical properties of the samples. After microstructural analysis, the thermally unaffected base material, S355J2+N carbon steel showed ferritic-perlite structure and the base material X3CrNiMo.13-4 stainless steel showed a martensitic structure. In the heat affected zone (HAZ) on the stainless steel side, the grain structure was observed to have transformed and there was complete fusion. In the HAZ on the CS side, the grain structure of the weld penetrates the CS side in the shape of dendrites. During tensile testing failure occurred on the, S355J2+N base material implying that the welding method adopted was satisfactory. The highest hardness value (200 HB) was obtained on the weld area. Keywords: Welding, dissimilar metals, Heat affected Zone (HAZ), Microstructure