Regular Article

Effects of post-weld heat treatment temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of welded A517-Gr.B steel by SMAW method

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bahonar Technical and Engineering College, Shiraz, Iran
² Department of Materials Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
³ Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Golpayegan University of Technology, Golpayegan, Iran

^⁎ e-mail:  nezamhabibpour@gmail.com; meysami@alumni.iust.ac.ir

Received: 8 July 2016
Accepted: 12 April 2017

Abstract

Welding residual stresses have consequences for the performance of welded components. The remaining stresses can be reduced by post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). In this study, A517-Gr.B steel specimens welded by shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) were subjected to PWHT at 450 °C, 500 °C, 550 °C, and 600 °C to study the effects of these temperatures on yield, tensile, bending, and impact strengths. The fracture surfaces of the specimens heat treated at different temperatures were studied using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results indicated that the optimum temperature for PWHT was below 500 °C. Higher PWHT temperatures increased yield strength, tensile strength, and ductility of the weld piece but greatly decreased its bending weld strength.