ASSESSMENT OF THE HARDNESS AT THE MICROSTRUCTURAL LEVEL IN WELDED CONNECTIONS FORMED USING 316L AND S235 MATERIALS

Abstract

The growing adoption of stainless steel primarily results from increased requirements concerning the resistance to corrosion in the applications and structures where they are used. The primary characteristic of austenitic steels lies in their ability to form a protective oxide layer on their surface, bolstering their resistance to oxidation. Within the category of corrosion-resistant steel types, austenitic steel stands out because of its robust mechanical properties. These steels are readily deformable, resistant to wear and, if needed, abrasive damage. Nonetheless, they are also susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking, intracrystalline corrosion, and pitting corrosion. This investigation explores the results that unveil distinct dissimilar samples of the half V joint. These samples were employed to scrutinize the heat-affected zones, both in the S235 and the 316L steel. Furthermore, the welded connections exhibited elevated hardness values when repairs were performed without access to all the previous information about their fabrication. After flux-cored arc welding, the S235 retains its original structure, while the 316L steel maintains its austenitic structure with sporadic bands of ferrite σ and chromium carbides.