Abstract
The microcracking susceptibility in dissimilar multipass weld metals was investigated by a multipass weld test using different type 316L stainless steels with varying P and S contents and using different alloy 690 filler metals with varying Ce contents. The relation between microcracking susceptibility and (P+S) and Ce contents in every weld pass of the multipass weld was investigated. Ductility dip cracks occurred in the compositional range of Ce/(P+S)<0·22, and solidification/liquation cracks occurred in that of Ce/(P+S)>1·1, while no cracks occurred at Ce/(P+S) between 0·22 and 1·1. The ductility dip cracking susceptibility could be improved by adding Ce due to scavenging of impurity elements. Microcracking could be completely prevented in dissimilar multipass weld metals using two kinds of filler metals containing 0·077 wt-%Ce for the weld passes beside the stainless steel base metal (320 ppm P and 183 ppm S) and containing 0·032 wt-%Ce for the other weld passes.
Part of this study was carried out as a part of the research activities of ‘Research Projects on Basics of Ageing Management for Safe Long Term Operation of Light Water Reactors’, which was funded by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA). The authors wish to express sincere appreciation to Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. and Daihen Co. for their support of this study.