Effect of heat input on mechanical and metallurgical properties of AISI 304L stainless steel by using TIG welding

Abstract

In this research, we examine the ways in which heat treatment affects TIG-welded joints made from austenitic AISI 304 L stainless steel. TIG welding was performed on austenitic 304 L stainless steel at low (0.57 KJ/mm), medium (0.63 KJ/mm), and high (0.69 KJ/mm) heat. TIG welding was used to join together AISI 304 L stainless steel samples here. A consistent 3 mm thick plates were taken for the joints. All of the joints were butt-welded. In order to conduct tensile tests, hardness tests, and microstructural analyses, samples were cut and machined to the appropriate dimensions. Once the joints are ready, visual inspection and X-rays were conducted. This study examined the effects of applying different levels of heat on AISI 304 L stainless steel butt joints. The material’s tensile properties were tested and analysed after being butt-joined. Welded samples’ microstructures were examined with a Leica DM LM metallurgical microscope. Consistent with the microstructural characteristics, the tensile test findings were also consistent. The research found that compared to joints prepared with low and high heat input, those prepared with medium heat input exhibited greater tensile strength, percentage elongation and micro hardness value.

Keywords:

• AISI 304L
• heat input
• nondestructive testing
• microstructure
• tensile strength

Acknowledgements

This study’s authors like to thank all participants in the Blue Earth workshop at Jadavpur University. VECC, Kolkata, Dept. of Atomic Energy and Salkia Metallurgical Services, Howrah, has been extremely helpful.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

In this article, all data created or analysed during this investigation are available to the author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Not applicable