ABSTRACT
A superaustenitic stainless steel (Fe-25Cr-22Ni-7.3Mo-3Mn-0.5N) has been studied with special emphasis on welding. The aim of this study was to investigate if intermetallic phases form in the heat-affected zone of welds and to correlate this to a recorded temperature history. After welding discrete elongated grain boundary precipitates of varying length (30–800 nm) were found in the heat-affected zone. The precipitates were identified as σ-phase with a high Mo-content (22 wt%) and the precipitation time was estimated to less than 30 seconds. No additional intermetallic phases or carbides were found.
