STUDY OF AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL WELDED WITH LOW ALLOY STEEL FILLER METAL.

A weld development program was initiated to determine the tensile and impact strength test properties of 316L stainless steel plate welded with low alloy steel filler metal. Tests were conducted at room temperature and minus 100 degree F on standard test specimens machined from as-welded panels of various chemical compositions. No significant difference were found as the result of variations in percentage chemical composition on the impact and tensile test results. The weldments containing lower chromium and nickel as the result of dilution of parent metal from the use of the low alloy steel filler metal corroded more severely in a marine environment. The use of a protective finish, i. e. , a nitrile-based paint containing aluminum powder, prevented the corrosive attack.