Welding Inspection & Metallurgy API ICP Self Study Notes

10.10.1 Austenitic Stainless Steels
Austenitic stainless steels are iron-based alloys that typically contain low
carbon, chromium between 15% – 32% and nickel between 8% – 37%. They
are used for their corrosion resistance and resistance to high temperature
degradation. Austenitic stainless steels are considered to have good
weldability and can be welded using any common welding process or
technique. The most important considerations to welding austenitic stainless
steels are;
■ solidification cracking,
■ hot cracking,
■ distortion and
■ maintaining corrosion resistance.
Solidification cracking and hot cracking (sometimes called hot shortness) are
directly related to (1) weld metal chemistry and the (2) resultant metallurgical
phases that form in the weld metal. Cracking mechanism of both solidification
cracking and hot cracking is the same. In general, solidification cracking
exists in fusion zone where as hot cracking exists in partially melted zone.