EVALUATION OF WELDED JOINT (SMAW) AFTER POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT (PWHT)

Joining of two materials having similar physical, chemical, and thermal properties and to make the joint tough and stiff, special attention and investigation are required. In this research, the welding joint between two mild steel (MS) of IS 2062 grade E, was accomplished by using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). To investigate the effect of electrode in the welding joint, MS electrode was exercised. For post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), temperature of 700 °C were investigated over the welded specimen. To explore the optimum welding process and PWHT process for this joint, both tensile and bending tests were carried out. Destructive tests have suggested that PWHT at 700 °C is better for the SMAW process with MS electrode. As the smallest hardness values were observed in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) which makes the sample susceptible to failure. The hardness values have decreased after PWHT which justified the achievement of higher ductility after heat treatment.