EFFECT OF HIGH-STRENGTH LOW-ALLOY (HSLA) STEELS MICROSTRUCTURE ON SUSCEPTIBILITY TO COLD CRACKING

摘要

Microstructure of steel before welding has influence on the steel's susceptibility to cold cracking because it influences hardenability. Two high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels both in various heat treatment conditions were subjected to simulated welding thermal cycles. It was revealed that maximum heat affected zone (HAZ) hardness is influenced by microstructure present before thermal cycle was applied. Higher hardness was observed in the case of quenched and tempered microstructure as compared to the microstructure of as rolled and normalised steels.