The effect of welding on reliability of mechanical properties of AISI 1020 and AISI 6150 steel materials

Welding is one of the most important manufacturing and repair method of today's technology. Though it is known that it can reduced the mechanical properties of materials, it is a necessity in many areas and in some cases, it is preferred because of the efficient and fast manufacturing. The widespread use of welding has raised the problem of reliability of welded structure. It is important to carry on reliability analysis especially on critical welded constructions or some critical materials. In this study, two steel material (AISI 1020 and AISI 6150) which different weldability levels were selected. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), Gas Tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) were chosen as widespread industrial welding techniques. Welded and non-welded mechanical properties of these materials were examined taking into consideration the reliability, and effect of welding and welding methods were investigated. Reliability analyzes revealed that non-predictable mechanical properties and microstructures are main characteristic of welding process especially in some materials or methods.