Characterization and mechanical properties of high-strength steel weld metals

The use of high-strength steels (HSS) provides several potential advantages. However, the progress in steel technology continually demands new developments in welding processes and consumables to produce weld metals with mechanical properties equivalent to the base metal. To achieve this, however, a better understanding of chemistry and microstructure-property relationships in HSS weld metals is needed. This paper presents the results of a program that reviewed and experimentally characterized the general compositional and microstructural characteristics of HSS weld metals and their mechanical properties. Weld metals were deposited using different welding processes and commercially available welding consumables with nominal strengths ranging from 490 to 840 MPa (70 to 120 ksi). Additionally, a preliminary evaluation of the applicability of the Master Curve approach to assess cleavage fracture initiation in the ductile-tobrittle transition temperature range in HSS weld metals was conducted as well.