WPS Design of Dissimilar Metal Welds between Austenitic Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel for Building Thermal Power Plants

Abstract

Dissimilar metal welding (DMW) is frequently used to join stainless steels to other metals in Thermal Power Plants (TPP) and industries. DMW process has been shown to have great advantages for many years. This approach is most often used where a transition in mechanical properties and/or performance in service are required. The objective of this research is to review the basic principles of fusion welding of dissimilar metals.In experiments, the two seamless pipes with 18 mm thick, one modified SS 304L austenitic stainless steel was welded to another modified carbon steel A 106B by means of shielded metal arc (SMAW) and gas tungsten arc (GTAW) welding processes using ER309L and E 309L-16 type of filler metal. Before welding, essential variables were analysed so that creating preliminary welding procedure specifications (pWPS). After welding, weldment was tested by NDT such as visual, penetrant and radiography. Microstructural examinations were carried out including macro and micrographs, grain size analysis, and hardness measurements. Transverse tensile, and face/ root bend testing were carried out. Finally, WPS was established conformance to standards of TPP structure toward to building Nuclear Power Plant in Vietnam.