Twin-wire Submerged Arc Welding Process of a High-strength Low-alloy Steel

The measurement of thermal cycle curves of a high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA) subjected twin-wire submerged arc welding (SAW) was introduced. The thermal simulation test was performed by using the obtained curves. The impact toughness at ?50 °C temperature of the simulated samples was also tested. OM, SEM and TEM of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of some simulation specimens were investigated. The results showed that the HSLA endured the twin-wire welding thermal cycle, generally, the low-temperature toughness values of each part of HAZ was lower than that of the parent materials, and the microstructure of coarse-grained zone(CGHAZ) mainly made up of granular bainite is the reason of the toughness serious deterioration. Coarse grain, grain boundary carbide extract and M-A island with large size and irregular polygon, along the grain boundary distribution, are the reasons for the toughness deterioration of CGHAZ. The research also showed that selected parameters of twin-wire SAW can meet the requirements to weld the test steel.