An Analysis of Cooling Curves from the Fusion Zone of Steel Weld Deposits

L.-E. Svensson, B. Gretoft and H.K.D.H. Bhadeshia

Abstract

Experimentally determined cooling curves for the fusion zone of manual metal arc and submerged arc welds have been rationalised in terms of a theory for three-dimensional heat flow. The cooling curves were obtained for a wide range of welding conditions in which the welding current, voltage, speed and interpass temperature were varied, with the joint geometry fixed to ISO-2560, the standard geometry for all-weld-metal tests. With the help of a recent model for the prediction of microstructure in weld deposits, the heat-flow analysis is used in understanding the effect of heat input on the microstructure of low-alloy steel weld deposits. It is demonstrated that the results can be used to predict trends in microstructure as a function of heat input, by analysing a large amount of published data on weld deposits.

The work explores a mathematical approach for predicting the microstructure of steel weld deposits by analysing cooling curves within the fusion zone. Researchers examined how variables such as welding current, voltage, and speed influence the thermal behavior and subsequent grain formation in low-alloy steel. By utilising a three-dimensional heat flow theory, the study demonstrates that cooling rates can be rationalised into consistent constants to forecast the development of ferrite and other microphases. This work aims to bridge the gap between practical welding parameters and the theoretical prediction of a weld's physical properties. Following objective communication standards, the text emphasizes empirical data and trends rather than making inflated claims about the model's performance.

Scandanavian Journal of Metallurgy, Vol. 15, 1986, pp. 97-103

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