The Effect of Preheating on the Mechanical Properties of AISI 1037 and AISI 304 Welded Joints Using Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Abstract

This study explores the effect of preheating on the toughness of dissimilar welded joints between AISI 1037 and AISI 304 steels, using Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and E309-16 electrodes. The innovation of this approach lies in assessing how preheating temperatures influence the mechanical properties of such welds. Preheating temperatures ranged from 150 °C to 300 °C, with impact testing revealing a notable increase in toughness, from 6.01 Joules at 150 °C to 19.57 Joules at 300 °C. Hardness tests indicated a maximum hardness of 313 VHN in the fusion zone and a minimum of 185 VHN in the AISI 304 area. Compared to non-preheated joints, preheating significantly enhanced impact strength and altered the fracture mode from brittle to ductile. Macrostructural and microstructural analyses with optical microscopy and SEM showcased changes in fracture surfaces and microstructural evolution, highlighting the improvement in mechanical properties due to preheating. These findings demonstrate that preheating critically enhances the toughness and overall performance of dissimilar metal welds, making it a valuable technique in industrial applications where enhanced joint toughness is crucial.