The effect of metal transfer modes on mechanical properties of 3CR12 stainless steel

The effect of metal transfer modes on mechanical properties of welded 3CR12 stainless steel was investigated. This was achieved by butt welding 10 mm thick plates of 3CR12. The effect of the metal transfer modes on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the 3CR12 steel was then investigated as it was hypothesized that the change in welding positions will affect the transfer modes partly because of gravity. The microscopic examination revealed that the substrate was characterized by dual phase microstructure. Using the spectroscopic examination results, the ferritic factor calculation had shown that the microstructure was expected to be ferritic–martensitic during air cooling process. The tensile strength and Charpy impact energy were measured to be 498 MPa and 102 J, respectively. The heat input in the material was observed to be greater than 1 kJ/mm, which is the limiting factor for grain growth. Grain growths were observed in the heat affected zone of the welded materials. Ferritic–martensitic microstructure was observed in the microstructure. The grain growth altered the mechanical properties of the test material. Globular down hand had higher mechanical properties than spray down hand. Globular vertical up had better mechanical properties than globular vertical down.