A new numerical model to predict welding-induced sensitization in SUS304 austenitic stainless steel joint

In this paper, a SUS304/P92 dissimilar metal butt-welded joint was fabricated, and the welding-induced sensitization of SUS304 austenitic stainless steel in this joint was investigated via the numerical simulation and experiment. In the proposed new numerical model, the time-temperature-precipitation diagram and the time-temperature-sensitization diagram were used to simulate the region and the degree of sensitization, respectively. The predicted degree of sensitization (DOS) in the weld decay zone matched the electrochemical measurements well. Based on the simulation results, the evolution of DOS at the austenitic stainless steel side during the multi-pass welding process was examined in detail. The obtained results can help evaluate the material susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking in austenitic stainless steel joints. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.