Effects of Mo, Ti and B on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Underwater Wet Welding Joints

Alloy components are designed and transferred into weld metal via electrode covering to address the deterioration of the microstructure and mechanical properties of underwater wet welds. Emphasis is placed on studying the effects that the Mo, Ti and B contents have on the microstructure, tensile strength and low-temperature toughness of the underwater wet welding joint. The as-welded metal obtained at a water depth of 3 m is analyzed. The results indicate that the addition of Mo depresses the formation of coarse pro-eutectoid ferrite. However, a higher Mo content (0.609 wt.%) results in the formation of lath-like bainite and martensite, which are harmful to the plasticity and toughness of the weld. Acicular ferrite nucleation increases with the combined addition of Ti and B. The deposited metal with the optimum alloy components ratio achieves good plasticity and toughness while maintaining its tensile strength of 592 MPa, with the impact toughness at 0 degrees C and elongation reaching 53.34 J and 16.2%, respectively.