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Slag island characteristics and weld penetration in very low sulphur 18 % Cr stabilized ferritic stainless steel

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Abstract

The role of minor elements in the development, intensity and composition of slag islands visible on the weld bead was investigated. Thirty-one very low sulphur heats of ferritic stainless steel EN 1.4509 (“441”, S43940) were autogenously gas tungsten arc welded using multiple welding scenarios. The welds were analysed by using conventional metallography and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the level of penetration was examined as the phenomena are connected to each other. There were two types of slag: (1) slag associated with arc ignition comprising mainly Al2O3-rafts and Al2O3-rich Al2O3-CaO, which was promoted by the presence of aluminium in the steel and high arc voltage, and (2) slag spots comprising TiO2-rich TiO2-CaO-Al2O3 with less than 40 % Al2O3. The extent of slag spots increased with increasing calcium and titanium in the steel but decreased with increasing aluminium. Calcium and titanium intensified the slag island formation and severely impaired penetration. Silicon had a detrimental effect on weld penetration but had no effect on slagging. Aluminium had a decisive role in the formation of ignition slag, but had no clear effect on slag spot formation or penetration. No statistically significant effect of sulphur or oxygen on weld penetration was found for the ranges studied.

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Acknowledgments

This research work was carried out as part of the Finnish Metals and Engineering Competence Cluster (FIMECC)’s Breakthrough Steels and Applications (BSA) program. The authors are grateful to the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes) and Outokumpu Oyj for financial support. S.A. is also grateful to the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation Fund for the Association of Finnish Steel and Metal Producers and for the support from Outokumpu Stainless Oy, Tornio Research Centre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advanced Steels Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4200, 90014, Oulu, Finland

    S. Anttila, V. Lauhikari & D. Porter

  2. Neste Oil, Porvoo Refinery, P.O. Box 310, 06101, Porvoo, Finland

    V. Lauhikari

  3. Tornio Research Centre, Outokumpu Stainless Oy, Terästie, 95490, Tornio, Finland

    H-P. Heikkinen

Authors
  1. S. Anttila
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  2. V. Lauhikari
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  3. H-P. Heikkinen
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  4. D. Porter
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Correspondence to S. Anttila.

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Recommended for publication by Commission IX - Behaviour of Metals Subjected to Welding

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Anttila, S., Lauhikari, V., Heikkinen, HP. et al. Slag island characteristics and weld penetration in very low sulphur 18 % Cr stabilized ferritic stainless steel. Weld World 60, 485–496 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-016-0311-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-016-0311-2

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