ASSESSMENT OF THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF STEEL TO LAMINATED FRACTURE IN SIMULATED THERMAL AND STRAIN WELDING CYCLES

Mechanical tests with the load directed along the thickness, based on simulated welding cycles, are shown to be most effective for assessing the susceptibility of steel sheets to laminated fracture in welded st ructures. A new method is proposed for such tests, with due account fo r the specific features of metal strain in the structure. The effect o f metallurgical and engineering factors (thermal and strain welding cy cles, occurrence of nonmetallic inclusions, equivalent carbon content, temperature, and hydrogen pickup) on the resistance of steel sheets t o laminated fracture is investigated. The role of each of these factor s is discussed.