Effect of Carbon Content on the Creep Rupture Properties and Microstructure of 316H Weld Metals

Two types of 316 butt welds with carbon contents of 0.016% and 0.062% have been produced using the gas tungsten arc welding process.The δ-ferrite content decreased from 7.2 to 2.8% in volume as the carbon content increased.The creeprupture strength and creep ductility of the two types of weld metals have been measured at 550℃ over the stress range of 290-316 MPa and at 600℃ over 230-265 MPa.The microstructure change and precipitation behavior of the weld metals were observed and related to the creep rupture properties.The creep rupture strength of the C2（0.062% C） weld metal was higher than that of the Cl（0.016% C） weld metal at both 550 ℃ and 600 ℃.At 550℃,as the decrease in the applied stress,the difference of the creep-rupture life between the two weld metals diminished due to the higher depletion rate of carbon by precipitation of M;C;in the C2 weld metal,while at 600℃,the difference enlarged due to the massive precipitation ofσ phase and extensive crack formation and propagation along σ/austenite boundaries in the C1 weld metal.For both the C1 and C2 weld metal,the decrease in ductility was adverse with the transformation percentage and related to products of theδ-ferrite transformation.