Microstructure and Toughness of 1000 MPa High Strength Weld Metal

Welding of 1000 MPa high strength alloy steel is difficult because of its welding cold cracking sensitivity and the difficulty in maintaining high joint toughness. In this paper the effects of alloy elements on welding cracking tendency are analyzed, and measures to prevent cold crack are proposed. Welding wires with high strength was deposited into weld metal and welded into joint. Tensile test, micro-hardness test and Charpy impact test were used to evaluate the strength and toughness of weld metal and heat affected zone. Optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope were used to analyze the microstructure. It is shown that the weld metal mainly consists of lath martensite, lath bainite, and residual austenite which exists between the laths. The strength of weld metal increases in a small degree with increasing carbon equivalent and its toughness and ductility are not related to carbon equivalent. The toughness and ductility are much sensitive to nonmetallic inclusions. The welded joint has tensile strength of higher than 1000 MPa when welded at heat input of 11 kJ/cm and 15 kJ/cm and the mechanical properties are little influenced by the amount of heat input in this range. The whole welded joint has good comprehensive properties.