A formula predicting hardness and tensile strength of weld metal has been proposed in which the effects of alloy elements are considered in such a menner that C, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr and Mo contribute to hardenablity and Cu, Nb, V, and Ti contribute to precipitation hardening. This predictive work has been based upon 955 data of weld metals of SMAW, SAW and GMAW with tensile strengths from a mild steel grade to a 1,000 MPa high strength grade. The welding conditions in these data vary from 1.3 to 13.7 kJ/mm in arc energy and up to 450°C in preheat and inter-pass temperatures. Satisfactory prediction by this formula has been recognized for almost all of 955 weld metals.
