Influence of Electron Beam Welding with Multiple Beams on Stress Corrosion Properties of AF1410 Steel

Abstract

Electron beam welding (EBW) with multiple beams is a new technology simultaneous with preheating or postheating, which contributes to reducing residual stresses. To improve corrosion resistance in marine, EBW with multiple beams is employed on AF1410 steel. The weld is uniform, with a width of 7.3–8.4 mm, which is wider than that of conventional welding. To evaluate susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC), the welding stresses and slow strain rate tests (SSRT) are studied. The longitudinal stresses on the front weld with preheating and postheating are 25% and 15% lower than conventional welding. The transversal stresses also, respectively, decreased by 15% and 6%. The tensile properties of EBW from SSRT present a susceptibility to SCC. Compared with conventional welding, the loss of elongation I δ with preheating and postheating decreases to 0.9–1.5%, and the area reduction rate I R lowers to 7–10%. EBW with multiple beams presents a low susceptibility, attributed to reducing welding stresses related to a temperature gradient.