Reducing the risk of hydrogen-induced cold cracks in hyperbaric wet welding of high- strength steels by using austenitic welding consumables

摘要

In hyperbaric wet welding of structural steels, there is an increased risk of hydrogen-induced cold cracking due to the rapid cooling in conjunction with a supply of diffusible hydrogen generated by the dissociation of water in the arc. The risk increases when steels with a carbon equivalent above 0.4% are used, so that steels with a yield strength above 355 MPa are generally considered not to be weldable under hyperbaric wet conditions. In the presented research project austenitic welding consumables were used as macroscopic hydrogen traps to reduce the diffusible hydrogen content in wet welded joints. In addition to the hydrogen content, the mechanical properties of welded joints were validated by three-point bending tests.