• Mukesh Kumar Sharma
• Viranshu Kumar Singh

Influence of sensitization on the microstructure and mechanical properties of gas tungsten arc welded 304L stainless steel (SS) joints was studied. 304L stainless steel was observed to be sensitized when heated to 450°C - 950°C and held for short soaking times of 0.5 – 2hrs. Three heat input combinations designated as low heat (2.2 kJ/mm), medium heat (3.32 kJ/mm) and high heat (3.8 kJ/mm) were selected from the operating window of the gas tungsten arc welding process (GTAW) and weld joints made using these combinations were subjected to normalization at 750°C, 850°C and 1000°C for 0.5h,1h and 2h respectively microstructural evaluations, impact strength testing, micro-hardness and tensile testing are performed to analyze the effect of sensitization on the microstructure and mechanical properties of these joints. The results of this investigation indicate that the tensile strength is maximum at weld joints normalized at 750°C but remarkably decreased as the temperature was increased while the yield strength did not notably changed with increasing of the temperature. The Charpy impact energy and micro-harness showed higher value at weld joints normalized at 750°C but remarkably decreased as the temperature was increased. The major reason of Charpy impact energy decreasing was compound of manganese-silicon-Sulphur formed in the weld pool during solidification. The microstructures of sensitized samples have been observed by optical microscope. Heat treated weldment and parent are more sensitized than untreated weldments and parents. Specifically, weldments treated at 850°C with a 2 h holding time and then cooled in a furnace are the most sensitized.

Mechanical Properties, Microstructure,Micro hardness, Sensitization, Tensile Strength, Impact strength

"ANALYSIS OF SENSITIZATION IN AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL WELDED JOINT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 9, page no.134-139, September-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRFS06022.pdf

"ANALYSIS OF SENSITIZATION IN AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL WELDED JOINT", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 9, page no. pp134-139, September-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRFS06022.pdf