INOCULATION OF STEEL WELDS WITH NONMETALLIC PARTICLES

Two series of experimental submerged are welds have been produced, in which additions of titanium-rich and tungsten-rich powders have been m ade to the flux. Such additions have caused variations in weld composi tion. Weld microstructures were observed to become more intragranularl y dominated with increases in either titanium or tungsten. In titanium welds, microstructural changes were due to changes in inclusion miner alogy and consequently to nucleating potential, as well as to matrix h ardenability. In tungsten welds, microstructural variations were solel y due to the effects of tungsten in solution. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc e S.A.