Effect of Tungsten Inert Gas Welding on Structure and Hardness of Austenitic Stainless Steel

Abstract

Nowadays is very important to determine the exact properties of welded joints. During fusion welding process several types of microstructure with different mechanical properties is created. Each microstructure shows different behaviour during life cycle of welded joint. Presented paper is focused on evaluation of structure and hardness of stainless steel AISI 304 after tungsten inert gas welding for extension of knowledge in presented field. The paper shows microstructures of weld metal, fusion zone, heat affected zone and base material. The course of Vickers hardness shows differences in mechanical properties of each zone of welded joint.