MINIMIZING THE TRANSVERSE SHRINKAGE AND SHRINKAGE STRESSES IN AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL MULTIPASS THICK PIPE WELDS

Abstract

Austenitic stainless steel pipes are available in different grades according to their intended applications. In this investigation, AIS 304LN austenitic stainless steel pipes having 25 mm thickness and 300 mm inner diameter with conventional and narrow groove were welded by GMAW and P-GMAW process. GTAW process was used for the root pass. Effect of GMAW and P-GMAW process parameters on transverse shrinkage and shrinkage stresses were measured. Comparison of shrinkage and shrinkage stresses were done on conventional groove with GMAW and P-GMAW process and narrow groove by P-GMAW process. It is observed that narrow groove weld design with controlled welding parameters can improve the weld joint characteristics with respect to the transverse shrinkage and shrinkage stresses.