Influence of Titanium Addition on Mechanical Properties, Residual Stresses and Corrosion Behaviour of AISI 430 Grade Ferritic Stainless Steel GTA Welds

The effect of grain refining elements such as titanium (Ti) on mechanical properties of AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel welds through gas tungsten arc welding process was studied. Titanium powder of -100 μm mesh was added in the range from 1 g to 3 g between the butt joint of ferritic stainless steel. In order to investigate the influence of post- weld heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of welds, post-weld annealing was adopted at 830 °C, 30 min holding followed by water quenching. Residual stresses and corrosion behaviour of ferritic stainless steel welds was also studied. From this investigation, it is observed that the joints made by the addition of 2 g Ti (0.7 wt %) in post-weld annealed condition led to improved strength and ductility. The observed mechanical properties have been correlated with microstructure, fracture features, residual stresses and corrosion behaviour of ferritic stainless steel weldments.