Relationship between alloy element and weld solidification cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel

The effect of alloy elements such as niobium, titanium, and zirconium on the weld solidification cracking susceptibility in fully austenitic stainless steel was investigated. Niobium, titanium, or zirconium was added as an alloy element to Fe-24 mass%Cr-26 mass%Ni stainless steel. The cracking susceptibility was evaluated by crack length, number of cracks, and brittle temperature range (BTR) corresponding to results of the Trans-Varestraint test. Depending on the addition of the alloy element, the crack length increased; the length ordering tendencies between the total crack length (TCL) and the maximum crack length (MCL) differed with the alloy addition. The BTR was obtained by corresponding the MCL to the temperature range using the measured temperature history of the weld metal and was increased by the addition of the alloy element. The maximum BTR for the specimen with titanium was 266.9°C, which was three times that of the specimen without the alloy element. The MC carbide and the Laves phase formed at the dendrite cell boundaries as secondary phases. Solidification calculation based on the Scheil model was used to investigate the effect of the type of the alloy element on the solidification temperature range. Depending on the type of the alloy element, the solidification temperature range varied. A significant difference was found between the solidification temperature range and BTR in the case of the specimen with niobium.