Microstructural characterization of the HAZ in AISI 444 ferritic stainless steel welds

Ferritic stainless steel is used as a coating for equipment in the petroleum refining industry. Welding is the main manufacturing and maintenance process used. However, little information on the metallurgical alterations caused by welding of these steels is found in the literature, prompting this study. In this study the authors evaluated the HAZ microstructure of AISI 444 ferritic stainless steel welded plates, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that a weld thermal cycle caused microphase precipitation in the HAZ of the ferritic stainless steel. Also needle-like Laves phase precipitation occurred in the HAZ, near the partially-melted zone. Other secondary phases such as chi and sigma were observed, as well as nitride, carbide and carbonitride precipitates.