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Carbon Equivalent and Weldability in Steel

This document discusses factors that affect the weldability of metals, including carbon equivalent (CE) and composition parameter (Pcm). CE quantifies weldability and determines if preheat is needed for carbon steels. Pcm also indicates cold cracking susceptibility. Steels with low CE (0.20-0.30) have excellent weldability, while susceptibility to hydrogen cracking increases above 0.40 CE. Phosphorus and sulfur contaminants reduce weldability and should be kept low, with phosphorus under 0.04% and sulfur under 0.035% for best results.

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Arif Budi Jatmiko
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1K views9 pages

Carbon Equivalent and Weldability in Steel

This document discusses factors that affect the weldability of metals, including carbon equivalent (CE) and composition parameter (Pcm). CE quantifies weldability and determines if preheat is needed for carbon steels. Pcm also indicates cold cracking susceptibility. Steels with low CE (0.20-0.30) have excellent weldability, while susceptibility to hydrogen cracking increases above 0.40 CE. Phosphorus and sulfur contaminants reduce weldability and should be kept low, with phosphorus under 0.04% and sulfur under 0.035% for best results.

Uploaded by

Arif Budi Jatmiko
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Weldability Consideration
  • Carbon Equivalent Calculation
  • Composition Parameter Calculation
  • Phosphor and Sulfur Contaminants
  • Conclusion

CARBON EQUIVALENT (CE)

and
COMPOSITION PARAMETER (Pcm)
WELDABILITY CONSIDERATION

A weld joint is the functional unit basic to any welded structure, and the key base
metal property is weldability.
The better the weldability of a metal, the easier the metal can be fabricated into a
suitably designed structure that will perform satisfactorily.

The term "weldability" means the capacity of material to be welded


under the imposed fabrication conditions into a specific, suitably designed
structure and to perform satisfactorily in the intended service.

Weldability is determined by several factors, including:


•Welding metallurgy
•Welding chemistry
•Joint surface condition
•Joint geometry
Engineers should know the weldability of the metals they select.
CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION

The weldability of carbon steels depends on the base metal's chemistry.

A formula has been developed to quantify a metal's weldability, and determine


whether preheat is needed.

Although Carbon is the most significant alloying element affecting weldability, the
effect of other elements can be estimated by equating them to an equivalent
amount of Carbon.

The effect of total alloy content can be expressed in terms of a CARBON


EQUIVALENT (C.E.)
CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION

Steels with low CE values (0.20 – 0.30) have excellent weldability.

The susceptibility to hydrogen cracking increases when the CE exceeds 0.40.

In this case, it is recommended that the base metal be preheated in the range of
100 C – 200 C. C Using low-hydrogen electrodes are helpful and PWHT may be
required.

If the CE exceeds 0.60, the preheat range shall be increased to 200 C – 400 C.
C
COMPOSITION PARAMETER
CALCULATION

Pcm is a composition parameter which is used to indicate cold cracking


susceptibility of a steel.
This formula was introduced to deal with evolving carbon steels being introduced
in the early 1970s.
It was shown that the conventional CE formula developed by IIW did not
accurately predict the cracking tendencies of low-carbon, mechanically processed
steels, especially for pipelines and structural plate.
COMPOSITION PARAMETER
CALCULATION

The lower carbon content will reduce the calculated CE and Pcm values;
therefore, the material will have lower preheat and interpass temperature.

Selection of the maximum value for Pcm is a matter to be agreed between the
fabricator and the steel mill when the steel is ordered.
PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT

Phosphorus, in large amounts, increases strength and hardness, but reduces


ductility and impact strength, particularly in the higher-carbon grades.

In low-carbon steels, phosphorus improves machinability and resistance to


atmospheric corrosion.

As far as welding is concerned, phosphorus is an impurity, and should be


kept as low as possible.

Over 0.04% makes welds brittle and increases the tendency to crack.
Phosphorus also lowers the surface tension of the molten weld metal, making it
difficult to control.
PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT

Sulfur increases the machinability of steels, but reduces transverse ductility,


impact toughness, and weldability.

Sulfur in any amount promotes hot shortness in welding, and the tendency
increases with increased sulfur.

It can be tolerated up to about 0.035% (with sufficient Mn), over 0.050%


it can cause serious problems.

Sulfur is also detrimental to surface quality in low-carbon and low-


manganese steels.

CARBON EQUIVALENT (CE) CARBON EQUIVALENT (CE) and and COMPOSITION PARAMETER (Pcm) COMPOSITION PARAMETER (Pcm)
WELDABILITY CONSIDERATION WELDABILITY CONSIDERATION A weld joint is the functional unit basic to any welded structure, and th
CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION The weldability of carbon steels depends on the base metal's chem
CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION Steels with low CE values (0.20 – 0.30) (0.20 – 0.30) have excell
COMPOSITION PARAMETER COMPOSITION PARAMETER CALCULATION CALCULATION Pcm Pcm is a composition parameter composition paramete
The lower carbon content will reduce the calculated CE and Pcm values; therefore, the material will have lower preheat and i
PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT Phosphorus, in large amounts, increases strength and hardness
PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT Sulfur Sulfur increases the machinability of steels, but redu

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