Welding of Large Thickness Super Duplex Stainless Steel: Microstructure and Properties

Abstract

In this study, Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes were used in multi-pass welding of 33 mm thickness super duplex stainless steel plates. Recommended and higher than recommended arc energy and interpass temperatures were used. Both GMAW and SAW processes were able to produce large thickness weldments meeting the microstructural, mechanical, and corrosion resistance requirements, and also when using higher than recommended arc energy and interpass temperature. It was possible to reduce the number of welding passes by half when using higher than recommended arc energy and interpass temperature. The SAW process needed only half of the welding time required for the GMAW process to produce a weldment with nearly the same number of weld passes, when using recommended arc energy and interpass temperature. Based on the results of this investigation, the practical recommendations for welding large thicknesses should be revised and updated.