Multipass pulsed current gas metal arc welding of P91 steel

Abstract

Conventional gas metal arc welding of modified 9Cr–1Mo steels referred to as P91 steels is considered difficult due to loss of alloying elements and degradation of weld joint properties. In comparison to the conventional process, pulsed current gas metal arc welding allows more accurate control of heat input per unit length and electrode deposition and, thus, can be more suitable for the joining of P91 steel. A detailed experimental study is therefore undertaken to examine the roles of welding current, speed and groove angle in the weld bead profiles and joint properties in multipass pulsed current gas metal arc welding of 12 mm thick P91 steel. The results show that the joint properties are strongly influenced by the heat input per unit length and the groove angle. A groove angle of 75° and an appropriate choice of process conditions resulted in fairly acceptable bead profiles and joint properties.