Study on the flash butt welding of 400 MPa ultra-fine grain steel

A 400 MPa ultra-fine grain steel possesses high strength and toughness. Due to its fine grain size, the heat affect zone (HAZ) of the weld joint will soften during welding. The weldability of 400 MPa ultra-fine reinforced steel bar of flash butt welding is investigated by using the micro metallographical examination and macro-mechanical-property tests. The joint of flash butt welding has a superior mechanical property. The HAZ in the weld joint does not show apparent softening. There is only a localized softening spot inside the weld seam, which does not affect the property of the whole joint. Therefore, flash butt welding is appropriate for joining the 400 MPa ultra-fine grain reinforced steel bars. The resulting weld joint has excellent mechanical properties.