Influence of Heat Treatment on Rolling and Final Properties of Welded Steels 1.4404 and 1.4571

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of heat treatment on the properties of welded steels 1.4404 and 1.4571 of high thickness concerning the forming properties by rolling and the final properties. The weld seam is a region in the work piece where the material can have a higher resistance to deformation. The strength of the weld seam is often higher than in the parent metal. Therefore a suitable pre-heat treatment (1050°C for 30 min) was applied to the weld seam and heat affected zone within the cold rolling process to achieve a more homogeneous distribution of strength and ductility over the entire work piece. A second heat treatment (1050°C for 60 min) after the rolling was done to obtain the solution annealed structure of the steels. To compare the effect of the heat treatments and of the deformation during rolling (work hardening) tensile tests were performed after each process step. Here both materials behave slightly differently. Metallographic investigations show how the microstructure is influenced and give a clear picture of the fracture occurring. Force – time behaviour during rolling was monitored and provides information about the improvements by the preliminary heat treatment. Cold rolling of welded plates is characterized by a force peak just when the weld seam is within the gap of the rolls. The application of heat treatment has been found to lower that force peak and ensures less distortion in shape during the cold rolling passes.