Effect of Phosphorus in Parent Metal on the Weldability of Austenitic Manganese Steel

Abstract

Several austenitic manganese steels differing in phosphorus content (0.024-0.085% and 0.276%) are welded with austenitic electrodes (Cr-Ni, Mn-Cr and Mn-Ni type), and mechanical test, slit type crack test and microscopic inspection on the weld zone are carried out.
Under increased phosphorus content in parent metal, mechanical properties of weld zone are deteriorated and the hot-cracking tendency of weld metal and heat-affected zone is promoted. Phosphorus-rich, low-melting point eutectic in grain boundary is presumed to be responsible for these adverse phenomena.
On the results of this investigation, authors deem it desirable from the standpoint of weldability to limit the maximum phosphorus content of austenitic manganese steel to 0.05%.