Evaluation of the Influence of Heat Input on the Microstructure of the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) of Welded Joints of Stainless Steel ENDUR 300

Abstract

Stainless steels enjoy a favorable scenario for applications in various fields of engineering. The proper choice of welding parameters for these metals can result in greater productivity through increased equipment life. Thus, the objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of heat input on the microstructure present in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of welded steel joints, through metallographic characterization and mechanical tests. The analyzed material is stainless steel plates, welded by the GMAW process, varying the thermal inputs. After this step, the plates were cut, prepared, metallographic analyses, mechanical tensile and bending tests performed. The quantification of phases presents in the heat-affected zone, of the three conditions experienced, 4.2 kJ/cm, 6.7 kJ/cm 9.1 kJ/cm and base metal, were carried out in this study, as well as the mechanical properties of the welded joints. It was verified that the cooling rates were not enough to cause significant microstructural changes in the balance of delta ferrite and martensite phases, found in the HAZ. As for the mechanical properties, they were stable in the tensile and bending tests, with no results that could prevent the application of the material because it was outside the resistance limit required by the application standards.

Key-words:
Endur 300; Welding; Stainless; HAZ