Effect of minor elements on hot cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel welds

This research evaluates the effects of Si, N and REM on the hot cracking behavior of specially designed austenitic stainless steels. Varestraint hot cracking tests and microstructural examination revealed that solidification cracking of 304 can be minimized by a suitable addition of Si, N and control of the solidification mode. Further, the addition of N to “fully” austenitic 316 weld metal decreased solidification cracking susceptibility. REM additions were also effective in reducing solidification and weld metal HAZ liquation cracking in 347, but was ineffective for reduction in base metal HAZ liquation cracking.