Residual stress in welded joints by using a new weld metal with the property of low-temperature phase transformation is numerically analyzed. 10 % Nickel and 10 % Chromium are involved in the developed welding material for producing the property of martensitic phase transformation at a low temperature and for generating compressive residual stress. A fillet-welded joint between plate and stiffener is used for the numerical simulation of the thermal elastic-plastic finite-element analysis with coupling phase transformation effect. Moving heat source is considered by using the gradual deposition of the finite-element during welding process. Distribution of the computed residual stress mostly agrees with the measuring values by strain gauge. Compressive residual stress distributes in the weld metal for both longitudinal and transverse directions with weld line. The effects of the material of weld metal and welding pass sequence on residual stress are then investigated. Residual stresses on the weld toe and root are improved lower by using the low-temperature transformation weld wire than the conventional one, regardless of the sequence of welding deposition. It is found that the weld metal with property of low-temperature phase transformation is effective to reduce residual stress near weld metal.
