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ASTM - A645-A738 Steels


WHEN TRYING TO MATCH THE STEEL PROPERTIES ALL ELECTRODE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE AT THIS SITE REQUIRE CONFIRMATION AND APPROVAL WITH THE STEEL SPECIFICATIONS.

ALL WELDS SHOULD BE QUALIFIED BEFORE WELD
CONSUMABLES ARE APPROVED.

Fatigue:
The ability of a metal or weld to withstand repeated loads.
Fatigue failures occur at stress levels less than the metal or weld yield strength. Some things that can influence fatigue failure:

  • Excess weld profiles.
  • Welds which cause undercut.
  • FCAW or SMAW slag inclusions.
  • Lack of weld penetration.
  • Excess weld heat, typically from multi-pass welds without inter-pass temp controls.
  • Items to a part that adds restraint while welding.
  • Items added to a part that can concentrate stresses in a specific location.
  • Incorrect selection of filler metal, weld too weak or weld too strong.
Steels  Yield
 ksi
 MPa
Tensile
 ksi
MPa
Description Preheat Post heat  UNS Chemistry
weld data
A645 65 95-115 Pressure vessel 5% nickel heat treated alloys <25mm 50f. 25-50mm 150f.>50mm 200f

post heat beneficial >50 mm 1020 1200f
K41583 

Quenched
tempered Reversion Annealed

carb 0.13 max
Mn 0.3-0.6
Si 0.2-0.35
Ni 4.75/5.25
Mo 0.2/0.35
Al 0.02/0.12

E8018-C2 
E90T5-Ni3
A656 50-80
344-551
  high strength improved formability plate. High yields      
A656-1         K11804 Carb 0.18max
Mn 1.6
Si 0.6
V 0.05/0.15 al-N
A656-2         K11503 Carb 0.15max
Mn 0.9
Si 0.1
Ti 0.05
Al
A656-50 50-80
344-551
60 min or 95/115       GRADE 50/60
E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A656-70 60 min 70 min       E8018-C3
E80S-Ni1
E8IT1-Ni1
A656-80 70 min 80 min       E9018-M
E100S-1
E90T1-K2
A659           E60XX
E70XX
A662     Pressure vessel med to low tem service
improved notch toughness with yields to 90ksi
    E60XX
E70XX
E71T-1
A662-A  40 
 275
 

58/78 399/537

    K01701 Carb 0.14 max
Mn 0.19 1.35
Si 0.15 0.4
A662-B  40 
 275
 

68/85 448/586

    K02203 Carb 0.19 max
Mn 0.85 1.5
Si 0.15 0.4
A662-C  
43 
 296

70/90 482/620
  Preheat
>0.15 carb
>25mm 100f
K02007 Carb 0.2 max
Mn 1 1.6
Si 0.15 0.5
A663     Merchant
Quality steel bars 
     
A663
45-50-
55-60
65-70
75-80
24-44
165-303
45-90
310/620
       
A663
45-50-
55-60
         
E70XX
E71T-1
A663
65-70
          E7018Mo
A663
75-80
          E8018Cm

SMAW and GMAW Mechanical Strength
E6010 Minimum Yield 50,000 psi Minimum Tensile 62,000 psi.
E6011 Minimum Yield 50,000 psi Minimum Tensile 62,000 psi.
E7010 Minimum Yield 60,000 psi Minimum Tensile 72,000 psi.
E7018 Minimum Yield 60,000 psi Minimum Tensile 72,000 psi.

MIG E70S-3-6 Minimum Yield 60,000 psi Minimum Tensile 72,000 psi.

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Mechanical Strength of Gas Shielded Flux Cored Electrodes from the
ANSI/AWS A5.29. 1198 Specification
Low Alloy Steel Electrodes for Flux Cored Arc Welding

AWS Classification Tensile 
ksi
Tensile MPa Yield 
ksi
Yield
Mpa
E6XTX-X-XM 60 - 80 410 - 550 50 340
E7XTX-X-XM 70 - 90 480 - 620 58 400
E8XTX-X-XM 80 - 100 550 - 690 68 470
E9XTX-X-XM 90 - 110 620 - 760 78 540
E10XTX-K9-K9M SEE SPEC   88 610
(M) means an argon mix req,  75 to 80 argon balance CO2 All DCEP  E71T-1
Second number
1 = all position
E70T-1
Second number
0 = flat and horizontal
 

Brittleness:
The ease
at which the weld or metal will break or crack without appreciable deformation. When a metal gets harder it becomes more brittle. Preheat, inter-pass temp controls and post heat all are designed to reduce the potential for brittleness.



Lamellar Tearing:
When welding, the weld shrinkage stresses impose tensile strains in the steel plate or on inclusions paralleled to the plate surface. The tensile strains can separate the inclusions causing cracks. Excessive strains can further elongate the cracks. Carbon, manganese and low alloy steels made at the mill with inadequate deoxidization are sensitive to lamellar tearing. The potential for lamellar tearing increases with the amount of inclusions in the plates being welded. Of special concern is when the inclusions are parallel to the plate surface. More data in ASTM A770 / A770M Standard Spec for through thickness tension testing of steel plates.

 

Many manufactures of parts and equipment containing ASTM steels do not use the recommended pre or post-heat treatments.

 

The requirements for weld heat treatment is greatly influenced by many factors, the application, the governing specifications or codes, the plate condition, plate thickness, the weld consumables the weld procedures, the weld size and amount of welds required.

In many cases the manufacturer that uses ASTM steels will find that its not necessary for the weld to match the mechanical properties of the steel, and will therefore typically utilize low hydrogen, highly ductile E7018 /E70S-3-6 / E71T-1 electrodes.

When using the low hydrogen electrodes, the pre and post heat treatment recommendations are frequently eliminated, however from a weld quality perspective always ensure that the weld locations are dry, the metal is over 60F, and that rust and mill scale is removed from the weld area. Also even when heat treatment is not used its frequently beneficial to not allow the multi-pass inter-pass weld temperatures to exceed 200F

If you ignore the heat treat requirements as recommended by the metal specifications ensure you use low hydrogen electrodes then,

(a) Establish the welding procedure.
(b) Qualify the weld and HAZ prope
rties. Ensure the after weld and HAZ properties are compatible with the steel specifications, ref grain size, hardness and strength.

PRE HEAT IN THESE CHARTS ALSO APPLIES
TO MINIMUM INTER-PASS TEMPERATURE

Welding alloy steels often may require unique weld or heat treat considerations. Compare the low alloy steels chemistry and mechanicals with a standard A36 steel. Remember this site is only a guide, weld responsibility starts with "you" First verify the weld consumable and then the material heat treat recommendations.

The yield strength, the stress that can be applied to a base metal or weld without permanent deformation of the metal.

The tensile strength, "the ultimate tensile strength" is the maximum tensile strength that the metal or weld can with stand before failure occurs.

Metric Conversion 1000 psi = ksi x 6.894 = MPa

 

STRESS RELIEVING (SR) BASIC GUIDELINES:

  • STRESS RELIEF - CONTROLLED HEATING & COOLING TO REDUCE STRESS.
  • STRESS RELIEF MACHINED PARTS FOR DIMENSIONAL STABILITY.
  • STRESS RELIEF SLOW HEATING AND COOLING REQUIRED
  • CONFIRM WITH CODE SPECIFICAIONS FOR STRESS RELIEF REQUIREMENTS.

TYPICAL STRESS RELIEF SOAK TIME
ONE HOUR PER INCH OF THICKNESS

SR HEAT & COOL RATE PER HOUR 400oF 204oC DIVIDE THICKER PART
PARTS OF DIFFERENT THICKNESSES
SR MAX TEMP DIFFERENCE 75oF 24oC
STRESS RELIEF CARBON STEELS 1100oF 593oC
TO 1250oF 677oC
STRESS RELIEF CARBON 0.5% Mo
1100oF 593oC TO 1250oF 677oC
SR 1% CHROME 0.5% Mo
1150oF 621oC TO 1325oF 718oC
SR 1.25 % CHROME 0.5% Mo
1150oF 621oC TO 1325oF 718oC
SR 2% CHROME 0.5% Mo
1150oF 621oC TO 1325oF 718oC
SR 2.25 % CHROME 1% Mo
1200oF 649oC TO 1375oF 746oC
SR 5% CHROME 0.5% Mo
1200oF 649oC TO 1375oF 746oC
SR 7% CHROME 0.5% Mo
1300oF 704oC TO 1400oF 760oC
SR 9% CHROME 1% Mo
1300oF 704oC TO 1400oF 760oC
SR 12% CHROME 410 STEEL
1550oF 843oC TO 1600oF 871oC
SR 16% CHROME 430 STEEL
1400oF 760oC TO 1500oF 815oC
SR 9% NICKEL
1025oF 552oC TO 1085oF 585oC
FOR 300 SERIES STAINLESS SR WILL
RESULT IN CARBIDE PRECIPITATION
WITH LOW CARBON 300 SERIES
MAX SR 1050oF 566oC
SR 400 SERIES CLAD STAINLESS
1100oF 593oC TO 1350oF 732oC
SR CLAD MONEL INCONEL Cu NICKEL
1150oF 621oC TO 1200oF 649oC
STRESS RELIEF MAGNESIUM AZ31B 0
500oF 260oC 15 MIN
STRESS RELIEF MAGNESIUM AZ31B
H24 300oF 149oC 60 MIN

HK31A H24 550oF 288oC 30 MIN

HM21A T8-T81 700oF 371oC 30 MIN

MAGNESIUM WITH MORE THAN 1.5%
ALUMINUM STRESS RELIEF
MAGNESIUM CAST ALLOYS AM100A
500oF 260oC 60 MIN
AZ-63A 81A 91C & 92A
500oF 260oC 60 MIN
 
   
 

 

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Steels  Yield
 ksi
 MPa
Tensile
 ksi
MPa
Description Preheat Post heat  UNS Chemistry
weld data
A668
F-F1
          E8018-C1
A668-G           E9018-B3
A668-A-B-C-D           E9018-M
E90T5-K2
A675     Hot wrought special quality steel bars      
A675-45 22
155
45-55
310-380
      E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A675-50-55 25-27
170-190
50--65
344-448
      E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A675-60-65 30 32
60-77
413-530
      E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A675-75 37
260
75-90
515-620
      E8018-C3
E80S-Ni-1
E80T1-Ni1
A675-80 40
275
80
550
      E8018-C3
E80S-Ni-1
E80T1-Ni1
A675-90 50
380
90
620
      E9018-M
E90T1-K2
E80S-D2
A678-A     Quenched tempered carbon steel structural plate Preheat
max 0.6 carb <25 mm 50F.
>25mm 100F.
Preheat
max 0.17 carb <13mm
50F <25mm 100f 
> 25 mm 150F.
   
A678-A 50 70-90 max 38mm   K01600 Carb 0.16 max
Mn 0.9/1.5
Si 0.15/0.5
Cu 0.35 max
Ni 0.25 max
Cr 0.25
Mo 0.08max.

E8018-C3
E80T1-Ni1
E80S-Ni1
A678-B 60 80-100 max 63mm   K02002 Carb 0.2 max
Mn 0.7/1.6
Si 0.15/0.5
Ni 0.25 max
Cr 0.25
Cu 0.35 max
Mo 0.08max.

E9018-M
E90T1-K2
E100S-1
A678-C 65 -75 65 115 max 50mm   K02204 Carb 0.22 max
Mn 1/1.6
Si 0.2/0.5
Ni 0.25 max
Cr 0.25
Cu 0.35 max
Mo 0.08max.

E11018-M
E110T5-K4
E110S-1

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When mill scale is a problem, what MIG or flux cored weld parameter needs to be changed and why? The solutions are in Ed's books.

 

Steels  Yield
 ksi
 MPa
Tensile
 ksi
MPa
Description Preheat Post heat  UNS Chemistry
weld data
A690 50 70 High strength steel H piles used in marine use. 2 t0 3 times the corrosion resistance of steel preheat
50f 
K12249 Carb 0.22 max
Mn 0.6/0.9
Si 0.1
Ni 0.4/0.75 
Cu 0.5 max

E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
Or a weathering steel electrode
A694           E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A696     Special quality steel bars for pressure pipe parts     E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A696-A         K03200 carb 0.32max
Mn 1.04max
Si 0.15/0.3
A696-B 35
241
60
413
    K03200 carb 0.32max
Mn 1.04max
Si 0.15/0.3
A696-A 40
275
70
482
  Preheat
<0.25 carb
>50mm
100f
preheat
>0.26
carb >25mm 150F
K03200 carb 0.32max
Mn 1.04max
Si 0.15/0.3

E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A699     plate and bars low carbon Mn, Mo Co alloy steels. K10614   carbon 
0.06 max 

<15mm 
Mn 1.2/1.9

>15mm
Mn 1.5/2.

Si 0.4max
Mo0.25/0.35
Cb 0.03/0.09
Cu 0.2/0.35

A699-1  70
 482
90-100
620-689
      E9018-D1
E10018-D2
A699-2  70
 482
90-110
620-758
       
A699-3  70
 482
85-105
586-723
       
A699-4  75
 517
85-105
586-723
       
A704     Reinforcing steel      E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A706 60 - 78
 537
 80 min
 551
steel bars used for concrete     carb 0.3 max 
Si 0.5 max
E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
 A707
 L1-L2-L3
          E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
 A707
 L4
          E8018-C1
 A707
 L-5-L6
          E8018-C3
 A707
 L7-L8
          E8018-C2
A709      Structural steel for bridges alloys Nb,V,Ti Al,
atmospheric corrosion resistance approx 4 times that of steel

     
A709-36     SEE A36     E60XX
E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A709-50     SEE A72     E60XX
E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A709-50W     SEE A588      
A709-100
-100W
    SEE A514      
A710     Ni- Cr -Cu- Mo- Co- Alloy steels age hardened   K20747 Carb 0.07 max 
Mn0.4/0.7
Si 0.4 max 
Ni<1
A710-A 60-80 70-90
482-620
Ni- Cr -Cu- Mo- Co- Alloy steels age hardened   K20747 Carb 0.07 max 
Mn0.4/0.7
Si 0.4 max 
Ni<1
Cr 0.6/0.9
Mo0.15/0.25
Cu1/1.3
Cb0.02min
WELD A2
E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1

weld A1-A3
E8018C3
E80T1-Ni1
E80S-D2
A710-B 75-85
517-586
88-90
  Preheat
>25mm
100F
K20622 Carb 0.06 max 
Mn0.4/0.65
Si 0.15/0.4  
Ni<1.2/1.5
Cr 1/1.3
Mo0.15/0.25
Cb0.02min
WELD
B1-B3 
E8018C3
E80T1-Ni1
E80S-D2
A715     sheet strip, hot rolled ,high strength improved forming.
 high strength weight saving applications
     
A715-1         K11501 Carb 0.15
Mn 1.65
Si 0.1
Ti 0.05min
A715-2         K11502 Carb 0.15
Mn 1.65
Si 0.6
Ni 0.005min
A715-3         K11503 Carb 0.15
Mn 1.65
Si 0.1
Vi 0.08
Nb 0.005min
N 0.02
A715-4         K11504 Carb 0.15
Mn 1.65
Si 0.9
Cr 0.8
Nb 0.005/0.06
Ti 0.1
A715-5 grade 50 yield 50 tensile
60
    K11505 Carb 0.15
Mn 1.65
Si 0.3
Mo 0.2 min
Nb 0.03min
E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1

A715-6 grade 60 yield 60 tensile
70
    K11506 Carb 0.15
Mn 1.65
Si 0.9
Nb 0.005/0.1
E7018
E70S-3
E71T-1
A715-7 grade 70 yield 70 tensile
80
    K11507 E8018-C3
E80S-Ni1
E80T1-Ni1
A715-8 grade 80 yield 80 tensile
90
    K11508 E8018-C3
E80S-Ni1
E80T1-Ni1

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Hardness:
The resistance of the metal or the weld to penetration.
Hardness is related to the strength of the metal. A good way to test a weld after the weld and heat treatment are complete, is to test the hardness of weld and the base metal surrounding the weld.

 

 

Steels  Yield
 ksi
 MPa
Tensile
 ksi
MPa
Description Preheat Post heat  UNS Chemistry
weld data
A724-A  70 
 482
90-110
620-758
Quenched tempered pressure vessel plates layered vessels Preheat >13mm 100f. K11831 Carb 0.18 max
Mn 1-1.6
Si 0.55
Ni 0.25 max 
Cr 0.25max
Mo 0.08max
Cu 0.35
V 0.08 max

E9018M
E90T1-K2
A724-B  75 
 517
95-115
655-792
    K12031 Carb 0.2max
Mn 1-1.6
Si 0.5
Ni 0.25 max 
Cr 0.25max
Mo 0.08max
Cu 0.35
V 0.08 max

E10018M
E100T1-K3
A732
1A-2A-3A-5N
          E8018-C3
A732
6N-2Q-4Q
          E9018-M
A734     Quenched tempered high strength, low alloy steels      
 

A734-A

65
448
77 - 97
530-668
    K21205 Carb 0.12max
Mn 0.4-0.75
Si 0.4max
Ni 0.9/1.2
Cr0.9/1.2
Mo0.25/0.4
Al 0.06max

A734-B

65
448
77 - 97
530-668
  preheat <25mm 50f, >25 150f K11720 Carb 0.17max
Mn 1.6
Cr 0.25max
Cu 0.035max
Al 0.06max
N 0.03max
Cb 0.05max

E9018-M
E90T1-K2
 

A735-1

 

65
448
80-100
551-689
Pressure vessel plate medium to low temp service   K10623 Carb
0.06 max
Mn 1.2-1.9
Si 0.4 max
Mo 0.23/0.47
Cu 0.2-0.35
Cb 0.35-0.9

E9018-M
E90T1-K2
A735-2 70
482
85-105
586-723
  Preheat not req if plate dry and above >60f   E9018-M
E90T1-K2
A735-3 75
517
90-119
620-758
      E9018-M
E90T1-K2
A735-4 80
551
95-115
655-792
      E10018-D2
E100T5-D2
or
E90T1-D3

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Ductility:
The amount that a metal or weld will deform without breaking.
Measured on welds by the % of elongation in a 2 inch 51 mm test piece. An E71T-1 flux cored electrode should result in a minimum of 20% elongation. An E70S--6 MIG weld should produce approx 22%.

 

Toughness:
The ability of the metal or weld sample at a predetermined temperature to withstand a shock.

The test for toughness measures the impact of a pendulum on a notched specimen. You may see that the required impact properties for the metal or weld are 20ft-lbf @ -20 F (27 j @ -29C)

Steels  Yield
 ksi
 MPa
Tensile
 ksi
MPa
Description Preheat Post heat  UNS Chemistry
weld data
A736     Age hardened pressure vessel plate Ni-Cu-Cr-
Mo-Co
  K20747  
A736-CL2 55-65
379-448
65-92
448-643
      E8018-B2
E80T1-B2
E80S-D2
A737-A     pressure vessel steel plate 
V-Nb-Si-N
 Preheat <25mm 50f
>25mm 150f
   
A737-B 50
344
70-90
482-620
  Preheat <25mm 50f
>25mm 150f
K12001 carb
0.2max
Mn 1.15-1.5
Si 0.15-0.5
Cb 0.05
E9018-M
A737-C 50
344
70-90
482-620
  Preheat 13-25mm 100f
>25mm 200f
K12202 carb
0.02max
Mn 1.15-1.5
Si 0.15-0.5

Cb
N
E10018-M
E100T1-K3
A738     Pressure vessel plate for low temp srvice pre-heat
carb to 0.2
25-50 mm
100f

50-100 mm
200f

carb >0.21
<25mm 150f
>25mm 225f
K12447 carb
0.24 max
Mn 1.5-1.6
Si 0.15-0.5
Ni 0.5
Cr 0.25
Mo 0.08 max
Cu 0.035
V 0.08
Cb 0.05 max

E8018-C3
E80T1-Ni1
E80s-D2
A973
GRADE
100
ALLOY CHAIN
A premium quality welded chain
heat treated, recommended for over head lifts, SEE CHAINS AT A413 & A391
     

 

 

 

If you are welding a carbon steel and you don't know what the composition is or what the weld consumable should be, try the following:

  • If the metal is thicker than 6 mm preheat to 150F.
  • Use either an E7018 stick electrode, an 0.035 or 0.045 E70S-6 MIG wire. For your all position welds an E71T-1 electrode wire.
  • For MIG welding use an argon 10 to 15% CO2 mix.
  • For flux cored use a mix with 20 to 25% CO2.
  • Ensure with multi-pass welds you use inter-pass temp control. Ensure the inter-pass temp weld temperature does not exceed 200F.
  • If possible do destructive test of a weld sample.
  • If possible have the hardness and grain size checked after welding.

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