Microstructural and Impact Considerations of Heat Affected Zone in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding of Armor Steel

Abstract

Gas tungsten arc welding is a preferred welding process due to its excellent heat control which provides high quality joinings of various metals. Welded armor steels are widely used in armored vehicles for the ease of production. Thus, characterization of gas tungsten arc welding of armor steels reveals important data on both present applications and potential uses of gas tungsten arc welding in future. In this study, microstructural and mechanical properties of welded armor steel were investigated. Optimal welding parameters depending on a previous research were used to eliminate welding defects. The results have shown that application of pre-heating and/or multi-pass welding on armor steel could provide fine and homogeneously dispersed carbides in heat affected zone.