Residual stress of S35657 austenitic stainless steel welded box sections and I-sections

A new high-nitrogen and low-nickel S35657 (EN 1. 4376) austenitic stainless steel, was highlighted here due to its high strength, good corrosion resistance, and economic viability. However, the residual stress, a critical factor influencing the bearing capacity and stability of steel members made from S35657 stainless steel, has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to experimentally investigate the residual stress magnitudes and distributions in welded box sections and I-sections made from S35657 stainless steel. Five S35657 stainless steel box section specimens and five I-section specimens were welded using hot-rolled plates. The sectioning method was employed to release the residual strain and analyze the residual stress in the sections. The maximum tensile residual stresses were found to reach approximately 90% and 85% of the 0.2% proof strength for S35657 stainless steel box sections and I-sections, respectively. Comparisons of the test results with existing residual stress distribution models revealed a significant deviation. Therefore, new models that accurately describe the residual stress distributions in welded box sections and I-sections made from S35657 stainless steel were proposed. These models could provide valuable references for the numerical simulation and analysis of structural members made from S35657 stainless steel.