Some Observations On Weldability Aspects Of Cr-and Ni-less Stainless Steel

Alloys pertaining to Fe-Mn-AI-C systems are relatively inexpensive to Fe-Cr-Ni-C systems and constitute chromium and nickel-less stainless steels. One such system with the nominal chemical composition (in wt %) is Fe-17 Mn-3 AI-0.45 C has been developed at DMRL and designated as AI-3 austenitic steel. This steel is being used as a structural material in some critical naval applications. As the material is used for structural applications, welding study on AI-3 steel was carried out using three commercial arc welding stainless steel electrodes. In an earlier study, it was observed that transfer of 3% Al to the weld pool was difficult using a near base-metal composition filer wire. The selected electrodes included an imported soviet electrode and two other electrodes obtained from indigenous sources : designated as electrodes A' and B'. The relative welding performance of the electrodes have been evaluated and results presented in this paper It was observed that electrode B' compares well with the performance of the Soviet electrode and the steel is weldable provided proper welding procedures and parameters are adopted with an interpass temperature around 150°C.