KOBELCO Group News

agreement also reflects the Workers who are reaching

A Big Stride strong bond between licensor and retirement age even recommend
Expected licensee built on mutual trust and their sons or daughters to take up
for a New Era at benefit. With the help of the some positions in our company.
Technical Development As such our employees are loyal
INTIWI Department of Kobe Steel, to INTIWI.
INTIWI’ s production line is now
After Mr. Dahlan Gunawan’ s being modified to maximize the As the Indonesian economy is
retirement in 1999, I succeeded production capacity, thereby now showing some sign of
him as President Director of enhancing the production recovery, our sales volume has
P. T. INTAN PERTIWI efficiency. been picking up approximately
INDUSTRY (INTIWI). 80% of the normal sales volume
In the early years of my new since the currency crisis in 1997.
assignment, I had so much to This year’ s business performance
learn about the other side of the is expected to be quite
company which differed so much satisfactory, despite the
KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

from the factory side, where I had detrimental effect of a few acts of
been stationed as general terrorism that happened locally
manager for over two decades. and the Iraq war, during which
Fortunately, my staff in the head the economy was very sluggish.
office is already familiar with their However, we anticipate that sales
work, and daily activities can go will be affected temporarily next
on without much difficulty. year, because there will be a
Besides, the majority of the national election and new projects
factory workers have been may get started. If the election
working for the company for will go on well and a new
ages, during which they have government will be accepted by
acquired the tight scrutiny of the people, we predict that the
quality control practiced in the economy will continue to recover
production line. With such and investors will start coming to
talented office staff and Indonesia. Most of the people
competent factory workers, the also would want the economy to
transition period in my new recover so as to absorb the many
assignment has passed smoothly jobless people in the country. We
and the business is going on as I From the top, my staff and I posing in front
hope that is when we will see
expect. of the factory, discussing in a meeting demand for welding electrodes
room, and attending the operation for surge.
During these four years, I have chemical analysis for quality control
found very good business Lastly, when I think of our
relationships between our In early November 2002, our company’ s successful trend over
company and Kobe Steel, Thai- company celebrated our 25th a quarter century, I really hope
Kobe Welding and Kobe Welding anniversary. Time really flies−I that better futures will come to
Singapore due to their very never felt I had already worked us, and Kobelco welding
positive and warm attitudes. Early for the company for 25 years electrodes, with unsurpassed
this year the license agreement since I joined. During the innovative quality, will grow its
with Kobe Steel was renewed, anniversary, we had a small party, market niche in Indonesia.
thereby allowing Kobelco welding at which all factory workers and
electrodes to remain as the head office staff had lunch,
market leader in Indonesia to danced and socialized. Many of
respond to demands for high the employees joined our
quality products in the welding company when they were single Sumarno
electrodes market. The license and now they have families. President Director, INTIWI
1
 Preface

□ Message from the Editor □

Dear Readers:

How are you these days? It was unusually cool this summer in Japan. In contrast, the
summer in Europe was extremely hot. Nowadays people are facing unconventional weather
throughout the world. Earth seems somehow to be changing its nature, affected by
extraordinary global events.“Everybody loves somebody sometimes….”If people would love
our life-and-death planet, we would be able to sustain the globe in its conventional natural
condition because everybody loves such natural things as deep-blue sea, blue sky, and green
forest.

KOBELCO’ s newest plant in China, KOBE WELDING OF TANGSHAN has started to

produce solid wires. The Chinese market for welding consumables is growing every year in
tandem with the country’ s economic growth. I believe this company will be able to contribute,
with their quality products and technical services, to a lot of fabricators in China. Whenever
we promote the globalization of our business, we remind ourselves that globalization General Manager

KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

accompanies localization. Globalization makes us realize that there are so many different local
needs in individual markets. Globalization also requires us to overcome our cross-cultural International
problems. I am affected in my humanity by different cultures every time when I met people in Operations
Department
different countries.
Welding Company
Kobe Steel, Ltd.

Masakazu Tojo
Editorial Chairman

Hello, KWT readers worldwide:

Contents
Hui Ding is my name. I am engaged in exporting welding
1 KOBELCO Group News
consumables to the Chinese market. I entered Kobe Steel and was
A big stride expected for a new era at INTIWI
assigned to the present department 6 years ago, when the first
issue of Kobelco Welding Today was just published. Therefore,
KWT magazine and I are, so to speak, colleagues in terms of our
3-8 Technical Highlight
Kobelco SAW fluxes/wires cover a wide scope
period of engagement. This magazine is distributed to customers
in the Chinese market, where it enjoys a reputation as high as that of heavy fabrication industries
in other countries. I will maximize the competence of this
dependable colleague, expecting expanded sales of welding 9-10 Bulletin
consumables in China. ■ DWA-81Ni1: a brand new flux-cored wire
for low temperature applications
Two years have passed since I took charge of exporting welding
consumables to the Chinese market. Keeping in mind a Japanese ■ Thomas Medal is Awarded to the best
proverb,“Perseverance for at least three years brings success,”I contributor to international standardization
will make every endeavor to provide customers with more for welding consumables
satisfaction through my services.

Have a good day.

Hui Ding
International Operations Dept.
Welding Company
Kobe Steel, Ltd.

2
 Technical Highlight

Kobelco SAW Fluxes/Wires

Cover a Wide Scope of
Heavy Fabrication Industries

Submerged arc welding (SAW), a typical automated temperature (e.g. 400-550℃) below its melting point,
welding technique, is widely used for fabricating hulls, and then processed to produce the desirable particle
pressure vessels, storage tanks, architectural structures, sizes.
KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

bridges, pipelines, and construction equipment. Its

popularity is due to high deposition rates and deep Agglomerated fluxes are produced with a bonded agent
penetration that are beneficial in welding medium-thick requiring a higher baking temperature (e.g. 700-1000℃).
and thick sections. The process is limited generally to The production process of this type of flux is similar to
the flat and horizontal fillet positions because of the flux that of the bonded type except for the binding agent and
used to shield the weld puddle. However, with special baking temperature. This is followed by processing to
flux dams, it can be used in the horizontal groove weld produce the most desirable particle size.
position as in joining the shells of cylindrical storage
tanks. Solid Wires for General Uses;
Flux-Cored Wires and Strips for
The welding consumables required are consumable Specific Applications
electrode and granular flux. The electrodes vary in
shape−solid wire, flux cored wire, and strip−and in Kobelco SAW solid wires differ in chemistry and size
application−carbon steel, low alloy steel, stainless steel, to respond to demands from such heavy fabrication
nickel-based alloy, and hardfacing. The fluxes can be industries as shipbuilding, steel structure and bridge
classified into three significantly different types: fused, construction, and pressure vessel, storage tank and
bonded, and agglomerated fluxes. pipeline fabrication. Kobelco flux-cored wires for SAW
are available for hardfacing steel mill rollers and
Three Types of Kobelco SAW Fluxes: construction machinery. Strip electrodes available from
Fused, Bonded, and Agglomerated Kobelco are for stainless steel and nickel-based alloy
overlaying and hardfacing.
Fused fluxes are produced by dry mixing aggregated or
granular mineral, followed by melting at one thousand or Higher Efficiency Welding Achieved with Kobelco’
s
higher degrees Celsius in an electric furnace. The molten Varied SAW Flux-Wire Combinations
material is cooled rapidly to its solid state and processed
to produce the desired particle size. Depending on the Tables 1 through 4 show how Kobelco’ s diverse SAW
process, the particles in the fused flux can be glassy or fluxes (available for overseas markets) can be combined
porous. The particles result in a variety of sizes so as to with different solid wires and flux-cored wires according
maximize the performance of the flux with varied to the applications. Many fluxes can be combined with
welding currents. different wires for welding several types of base metals,
but some fluxes require a specific wire for welding a
Bonded fluxes are produced by dry mixing powdered specific type of base metal. For details of Kobelco SAW
mineral and, if needed by the application, metal. This is flux-wire and flux-strip combinations, please refer to
followed by wet mixing with bonded agents. KOBELCO WELDING HANDBOOK.

This wet-mixed material is then pelletized, baked at a

3
 Technical Highlight
Table 1. Kobelco flux/wire varieties for mild steel, high tensile steel, low temp. steel and heat-resistant low-alloy steel

Intended usage and features

Flux Flux/wire Wire Flux size
brand (1) AWS class. brand (2) (Mesh)
Base metal Features (3)

F7A4-EM12K ■ For multi-pass welding

AF-490 US-12K 10×48
F6P6-EM12K ■ Only DC-EP is applicable
■ For thin plates with high speeds 8×48, 12×65
G-50 F7A2-EH14 ■ DC-EP is better for sheet metals 12×150, 20×D

G-60 F7A2-EH14 ■ For thin or medium-thick plates with high speeds 12×65, 12×150
US-36
Mild steel,
490MPa HT steel ■For multi-pass welding of medium or heavy thick 12×65, 12×120,
F7A2-EH14
G-80 plates 20×200, 32×200,
F6P2-EH14 ■Good mechanical properties 20×D

■For multi-pass welding of Medium or heavy thick

F7A6-EH14 plates
MF-300 US-36 20×200, 20×D
F7P6-EH14 ■Excellent slag removal and good mechanical

properties

■Good performance in horizontal vertical welding of

F7A6-EH14 Mild steel,

KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

US-36 storage tanks
F7P6-EH14 490MPa HT steel ■DC-EP current is suitable

■Good performance in horizontal vertical welding of

F8A6-EG-A4 550-610MPa HT
MF-33H US-49 storage tanks 12×150
F8P6-EG-A4 steel ■DC-EP current is suitable

■Good performance in horizontal vertical welding of

F7A6-EH14
US-49A Low temp. steel storage tanks
F7P6-EH14 ■DC-EP current is suitable

■For multi-pass welding of medium or heavy thick

F7A6-EH14 Mild steel
US-36 plates
F7P6-EH14 490MPa HT steel ■Excellent mechanical properties

■ For non-postweld-painting applications

F7A2-EG-G USW-52B ■ Good impact value
Weather proof ■ For non-postweld-painting applications
F8A2-EG-G USW-62B
steel ■ Good mechanical properties

F8A4-EW-W USW-588 ■ Suitable for ASTM A588 steel 12×65,

20×200,
F8A4-EG-A4 20×D
US-49 550-590MPa HT ■ Suitable for 0.5% Mo steel
F8P6-EG-A4
MF-38 steel, Heat-resist.
F8A4-EA4-A4 low-alloy steel
US-A4 ■ Suitable for 0.5% Mo steel
F8P6-EA4-A4

550-610MPa HT
F9A6-EA3-A3
US-40 steel, Heat-resist. ■ Suitable for 0.5% Mo steel
F8P6-EA3-A3
low-alloy steel

F7A6-EH14
US-49A Low temp. steel ■ Excellent impact value at −40℃ or higher
F7P6-EH14
■ For FAB one-side welding with FAB-1 backing and
− US-36 Mild steel
RR-2 metal powder
20×200
■ For FAB one-side welding with FAB-1 backing and
− US-49 490MPa HT steel
RR-2 metal powder
Weather proof ■ For non-postweld-painting applications 12×65, 20×200
MF-38A F7A2-EG-G USW-52B
steel ■ Good bead appearance 20×D
Mild steel, ■ Excellent bead appearance and slag removal in
F7A0-EH14 US-36
490MPa HT steel fillet welding
MF-53 ■ For non-postweld-painting applications 8×48
Weather proof Excellent bead appearance and slag removal in
F7A0-EG-G USW-52B ■
steel fillet welding

Weather proof ■ For non-postweld-painting applications

MF-63 F8A0-EG-G USW-62B good usability in fillet welding 8×48
steel ■

Note: (1) The initial letter of brand names designates the type of flux−A: agglomerated, and G/M: fused.
(2) Solid wire. (3) Unless polarity is otherwise mentioned, AC current is recommended.

4
 Technical Highlight
Table 1 (cont.). Kobelco flux/wire varieties for mild steel, high tensile steel, low temp. steel and heat-resistant low-alloy steel

Intended usage and features

Flux Flux/wire Wire Flux size
brand (1) AWS class. brand (2) (Mesh)
Base metal Features (3)

■ For single-pass-double-sided or multi-pass welding

PFH-45 F6A4-EL8 US-43 10×48
■ Excellent bead appearance with high currents
Mild steel,
490MPa HT steel ■For single-pass-double-sided or multi-pass
welding
PFH-55E F7A4-EH14 US-36 ■Good bead appearance and excellent
10×48
impact value

■Only DC-EP current is applicable

F7A8-EH14
PFH-55AS US-36J ■Excellent impact value at −60℃ or higher and CTOD at 10×48
F7P8-EH14
−20℃ or higher
Low temp. steel
■Only AC current is applicable
F7A8-EH14
PFH-55LT US-36 ■Excellent impact value at −60℃ or higher and CTOD at 10×48
F7P8-EH14
−50℃ or higher

Mild steel, ■ For single-pass-double-sided or multi-pass welding

KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

PFH-60A F7A4-EL8 US-43 10×48

490MPa HT steel ■ Excellent bead appearance with high currents

■ Only AC current is applicable

F12A10-EG-G US-80LT ■ Excellent impact value at −80℃ or higher
PFH-80AK 780MPa HT steel 10×48
■Excellent bead appearance and slag removal
F11A4-EG-G US-80BN ■Only AC current is applicable

■ Only DC-EP current is applicable

PFH-80AS F11A10-EG-G US-80LT 780MPa HT steel 10×48
■ Excellent impact value at −80℃ or higher
■Excellent impact value at −100℃ or higher after
PFH-203 F7P15-ENi3-Ni3 US-203E 3.5%Ni steel 10×48
PWHT
■ For FCB one-side welding with PHI-50R or MF-1R
PFI-50 − US-43 10×48
backing flux
Mild steel, ■ For FAB one-side welding with FAB-1 backing
PFI-52E − US-36 10×48
490MPa HT steel and RR-2 metal powder
■ For FCB one-side welding with PHI-50R or MF-1R
PFI-55E − US-36 10×48
backing flux
Mn-Mo steel, ■ Excellent crack resistance and notch
MF-27 F9P4-EG-G US-56B 48×D
Mn-Mo-Ni steel toughness
1-1.25%Cr- ■ AC current is suitable
F7PZ-EG-B2 US-511
0.5%Mo steel ■ Good crack resistance
MF-29A 48×D
2.25%Cr- ■AC current is suitable
F8P2-EG-B3 US-521
1%Mo steel ■Good crack resistance

1-1.25%Cr- ■ AC current is suitable

F8P2-EG-B2 US-511N
0.5%Mo steel ■ Excellent notch toughness
2.25%Cr- ■ AC current is suitable
PF-200 F9P2-EG-B3 US-521S 10×48
1%Mo steel ■ Excellent notch toughness
Mn-Mo steel, ■ Excellent crack resistance and notch
F9P4-EG-G US-56B
Mn-Mo-Ni steel toughness
5%Cr-0.5%Mo
F7P2-EG-B6 US-502 ■ Good crack resistance
steel
PF-200S 10×48
9%Cr-1%Mo-Nb-V ■AC current is suitable
F10PZ-EG-G US-9Cb
steel ■Excellent creep rupture strength

2.25%Cr-1%Mo-V ■ AC current is suitable

PF-500 − US-521H 10×48
steel ■ Excellent creep rupture strength
2.25%Cr-1%Mo-V ■ Excellent high temp. properties
PF-500D − US-521HD 10×48
steel with DC-EP currents
Note: (1) The initial letter of brand names designates the type of flux− P: bonded, and M: fused. (2) Solid wire
(3) Unless polarity is otherwise mentioned, AC current is recommended.

5
 Technical Highlight
Table 2. Kobelco flux/wire varieties for stainless steels
Flux Wire Wire Intended usage and features Flux size
brand (1) brand (2) AWS class. Base metal Features (3) (Mesh)
US-308 ER308 304 steel ■ Good crack resistance
US-308L ER308L 304L steel ■ Better corrosion resistance
US-309 ER309 309 and 309S steel ■ Good weldability
PFS-1 12×65
US-309L ER309L 309 and 309S steel ■ Good weldability
US-317L ER317L 316LN and 317L steel ■ Good weldability
US-347 ER347 347 and 321 steel ■ Good weldability
PFS-1LT US-308L ER308L 304 and 304L steel ■ Excellent notch toughness 12×65
US-316 ER316 316 steel ■ Good crack resistance
PFS-1M 12×65
US-316L ER316L 316L steel ■ Better corrosion resistance
PFS-4M US-410 − 403, 410, 410S, 410L, and 405 steel ■ Good weldability 12×65
Note: (1) Bonded type flux. (2) Solid wire.
(3) Both AC and DC-EP currents are suitable; however, DC-EP is recommended for small dia. wires (≦2.4 mm).

Table 3. Kobelco flux/wire varieties for 9%Ni steel

KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

Flux Wire Wire Intended usage and features Flux size
brand (1) brand (2) AWS class. Base metal Features (Mesh)

■Ni-based alloy weld metal

■Excellent usability and crack resistance
PFN-3 9%Ni steel ■For flat position welding
12×65
■Both AC and DC-EP currents are suitable

US-709S ERNiMo-8
■Ni-based alloy weld metal
■Excellent usability and X-ray soundness
PFN-4 9%Ni steel ■For horizontal groove and fillet welding
12×65
■For DC-EP current

Note: (1) Bonded flux. (2) Solid wire.

Table 4. Kobelco flux/wire varieties for hardfacing

Flux Wire Nominal Intended usage and applications Flux size

brand (1) brand (2) hardness Type of wear Applications (3) (Mesh)
USH-250N Hv 250 Metal-to-metal Wheels, rollers, and tractor idlers
USH-350N Hv 350 wear Tractor idlers and links, shovels, steel mill rollers, tires
USH-400N Hv 400 Tractor idlers and links, shovels, steel mill rollers, tires
G-50 Tractor rollers and idlers, shovels, steel mill rollers, 8×48
USH-450N Hv 450
blast furnace bells
Metal-to-metal
and abrasive Tractor rollers and idlers, shovels, steel mill rollers,
USH-500N Hv 500 wear blast furnace bells
USH-550N Hv 550 Steel mill rollers, blast furnace bells
MF-30 12×65
USH-600N Hv 600 Steel mill rollers (Photo 1), crusher cones
Note: (1) Fused flux. (2) Flux-cored wire. (3) Both AC and DC-EP currents are suitable.

Photo 1.
Hardfacing a steel mill roller by
paralleled SAW with
MF-30/USH-600N

6
 Technical Highlight
Outstanding Characteristics of A Revolutionary SAW Process:
Kobelco Agglomerated Flux: AF-490 High-Speed FCB One-Run Welding

As shown in Photo 2, AF-490 (AWS A5.17 F7A4- The Flux Copper Backing (FCB) one-run process
EM12K, F6P6-EM12K) flux offers more regular bead developed by Kobe Steel has been a standard SAW
appearance and superior slag removal over a wider process for single-sided welding of hull plates at high
range of welding speeds or heat input, when compared travel speeds in shipbuilding worldwide since its
with conventional agglomerated fluxes that have inception in 1965. However, users have desired that the
typically been used in steel structures worldwide. In FCB process enhance productivity more efficiently to
addition, in combination with US-12K (AWS A5.17 cope with increased fabrication costs caused by the
EM12K) solid wire, AF-490 provides unsurpassed requirements for double hulled oil tankers.
absorbed energy in impact testing of the weld metal in
the as-welded and postweld heat treated conditions as The development of Ti-B micro-alloyed PFI-55E flux
illustrated in Fig. 1. has increased FCB process efficiency over the
conventional flux, as shown in Fig. 2. This advantage is
derived from 20% higher deposition rates, applicability
KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

12mm of a four-wire process and consistent bead appearance

thick
plate
over a wide range of welding parameters, which in turn
has made applicable plate thickness range as wide as 10-
40 mm in one-run SAW. In addition, higher travel
speeds decrease heat input by 10%, thereby improving
16mm
thick the mechanical properties of the weld metal and heat
plate affected zone and decreasing welding distortion. The
mechanical properties of PFI-55E/US-36 meet the ship
Photo 2. Joint penetration and bead appearance of AF-490/US- class grade-3 requirements.
12K weld joints by single-pass-double-sided welding (700-
750A/32-33V/40-80CPM)

Figure 1. Impact test results of AF-490/US-12K multi-pass weld

metal in the as-welded and PWHT (620℃ ×1hr) conditions

With such excellent usability and mechanical

properties, AF-490/US-12K should be used in a wide
range of applications for mild steel and 490-MPa high
strength steel including single-pass-double-sided Figure 2. Proper travel speed as a function of plate thickness for
welding in hulls and fillet welding in architectural high-speed FCB process in comparison with conventional FCB
structures and bridges. process

7
 Technical Highlight
Unmatched Performance with DC-EP Currents Tips for Successful SAW
in Low Temperature Applications
1. Power source polarity
A flux/wire combination of PFH-55AS/US-36J has The particular combination of flux and wire generally
been developed so as to possess mechanical properties determines the choice of AC or DC in SAW. With DC-
similar to those of traditional PFH-55LT/US-36 but its EP, the flux consumption ratio is roughly 10-30% higher
welding performance has been modified to suit DC-EP than with AC depending on the type of flux.
current that is most often used overseas though not in Consequently, the chemistry−and thus the mechanical
Japan. Ti-B micro-alloyed PFH-55AS/US-36J offer, in properties−of the weld metal can be affected by the
both as-welded and postweld heat treated conditions, polarity to a high or low degree depending on the type
consistent room temperature tensile properties and low of flux. This is why, where the quality requirement is
temperature notch toughness at −60℃ as shown in Fig. stringent, a careful combination of flux and wire is
3 and CTOD values at−20℃ (Table 5), due to fine necessary in consideration of the polarity of the power
grained acicular ferrite microstructure of the weld source to be used.
metal−Photo 3.
2. Recycling flux

KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

The unfused part of the flux distributed around the arc
is commonly recovered for reuse; however, recovered
flux can be contaminated with ferric oxides and changed
in grain size, which may affect the usability of the flux
and quality of the weld metal when the use of recycled
flux is excessive. To maintain good performance of a
flux, an appropriate amount of virgin flux should be
added to the retrieved flux. It is recommended that the
recycling of flux be limited to a total number of three
times as a rule of thumb.

3. Redrying flux
Regardless of the type of flux−fused, bonded and
agglomerated−fluxes can absorb moisture at a high or
low rate, even though some particular brands of flux
offer moisture resistance. Therefore, it is recommended
that any flux be redried before use to recover the desired
usability of the flux and to decrease diffusible hydrogen
Figure 3. Mechanical properties of PFH-55AS/US36J weld metal
in the weld metal, in accordance with the manufacturer’ s
as a function of PWHT parameter specification as shown in Table 6 for example.
17.1: 580℃ ×1hr, 17.5: 600℃ ×1hr, 17.9: 620℃ ×1hr Table 6. Proper redrying conditions for Kobelco fluxes
18.5: 620℃ ×5hr, 18.8: 620℃ ×10hr, 19.1: 650℃ ×5hr
Type of flux Brand Drying temp. Drying time
Fused All brands 150-350℃ 1 hr
Table 5. CTOD values of PFH-55AS/US-36J weld metal
PFH-80AK
250-350℃ 1 hr
Base metal PWHT Test temp. CTOD (mm) Bonded PFH-80AS

BS4360 Gr. 50D As-welded −20℃ 1.10, 1.10, 1.00 Other brands 200-300℃ 1 hr
T: 70 mm 620℃×3hr −20℃ 1.06, 1.59, 1.31 Agglomerated AF-490 200-300℃ 1 hr
Note: Testing method: BS standard
4. Depth of flux layer
The depth of the flux layer affects the appearance and
Photo 3. soundness of the weld. If the flux layer is excessively
Fine grained acicular ferrite deep, the bead appearance becomes irregular and slag
microstructure of inclusions will degrade the soundness. Conversely, if the
Ti-B micro-alloyed flux depth is excessively shallow, flashing and
PFH-55AS/US-36J weld metal
spattering will occur, resulting in poor bead appearance
(as-welded)
and X-ray soundness.
8
 Bulletin
DWA-81Ni1 AWS A5.29 E81T1-Ni1MJ Photo 1.
A Floating production,
A Brand New Flux-Cored Wire for storage and
Low Temperature Applications offloading vessel
(FPSO)
(Source: Fene
Shipyard, Italy)

DWA-81Ni1 resembles DWA-55L, sharing a similar

rutile-based flux core, suitable shielding gas (80%Ar-
20%CO2), tensile strength and notch toughness of as-
welded weld metal. However, their chemical
compositions−and thus their AWS classifications−are
different, and only DWA-81Ni1 is suited to postweld
heat treatment (PWHT). The nickel content of DWA-
81Ni1 weld metal is nominally 1% and notch toughness
can be kept sufficient even after PWHT. Dendritic zone Refined zone
KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

Photo 2. Fine microstructures of DWA-81Ni1 as-welded weld

The low Ni content and PWHT applicability can be metal on the final side in vertical position
advantages in specific fabrications−such as those that
adhere to the NACE standard which requires the
weldment to be low in Ni content and hardness for
minimizing the susceptibility to sulfide stress corrosion
cracking (SSCC) that tends to occur in corrosive,
aqueous H2S environments. Such specific fabrications
can be involved in offshore structures and floating
production, storage and offloading vessels (Photo 1).
Many low-alloy steels used in such applications may
require PWHT to temper or relieve stresses in the weld
to achieve increased ductility.

Table 1 shows typical chemical composition and

tensile properties of DWA-81Ni1 welded on high
strength FH36 grade steel of LR ship class. The tensile
properties of the weld metal meet the requirements
(0.2%OS≧355MPa, TS: 490-620, El≧21%) of this
steel grade. Ti-B micro-alloying is one of the features of
the chemical composition of the weld metal, which
contributes to fine grain acicular ferrite microstructure
(Photo 2) and in turn excellent notch toughness with
Figure 1. Absorbed energies in Charpy impact testing of DWA-
minimized SR embrittlement as shown in Figure 1 and
81Ni1 weld metal in the as-welded and PWHT (580℃ × 2h)
CTOD values−Table 2.
conditions
■Base metal: 50-mm thick FH36
Table 1. Typical properties of DWA-81Ni1 weld metal (1)
■Groove: double-bevel
Chemical composition of weld metal (%) ■Specimen location: final side
C Si Mn P S Ni Ti B
0.049 0.31 1.25 0.008 0.007 0.96 0.046 0.0057
Tensile properties of weld metal
Welding 0.2% OS TS El RA Table 2. CTOD values of DWA-81Ni1 weld metal in the as-welded
PWHT
position (MPa) (MPa) (%) (%) condition
As weld 581 604 25 68 Base metal PWHT Test temp. CTOD (mm)
Horizontal
580℃×2h 533 596 26 63
FH36 Horizontal −10℃ 0.38, 0.38, 0.38
As weld 544 604 27 71
Vertical T: 50 mm Vertical −10℃ 0.65, 0.76, 0.77
580℃×2h 509 591 30 71
Note: (1) Specimen location: final side Note: Testing method: BS standard (W = 2B)

9
 Bulletin
The following cohabitation standards were published
Thomas Medal is Awarded to the in 2002, which were prepared by the Japanese members
Best Contributor to International in accordance with the consensus among the members
Standardization for Welding from Canada, Japan and USA.
(1) ISO 14171: SAW wires and wire-flux combinations
Consumables for non alloy and fine grain steels
(2) ISO 14341: GMAW wires for non alloy and fine
The International Institute of Welding (IIW) awarded grain steels
the“Thomas Medal”to Mr. Shinsuke Tsutsumi, a senior
researcher of the Technical Development Dept. of Kobe In addition, the final draft standards (ISO/FDIS 636,
Steel Welding Company, in the Opening Ceremony of 17632, 17633, 17634, and 18276, for various welding
the 56th IIW Annual Assembly held in Bucharest of consumables for carbon steel, low-alloy steel, and
Rumania on July 6, 2003. stainless steel) have been submitted to ISO/TC44/SC3
from Japan, which were prepared by the Subcommittee
on ISO Standardization of the Technical Committee of
the Welding Consumables Division of The Japan

KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

Welding Engineering Society. Mr. Tsutsumi has been
engaged in such international activities as the Chair of
the Subcommittee in Japan since 1998.

The Thomas Medal is awarded to an individual who

has been involved in IIW/ISO international standards
activities for more than ten years, and requires the
presentation of a lecture that illustrates the incorporation
The Thomas Medal was presented by Mr.
of global studies in the standardization of welding
Thomas Mustaleski (right), President of the
American Welding Society, to Mr. Shinsuke
technology. Thomas Medal Award has been given
Tsutsumi (left) annually since 1998, and Mr. Tsutsumi received the 6th
honor this year.
Mr. Tsutsumi, as a member of the IIW Commissions II
and XII, has contributed toward international
standardization of welding consumables since 1991,
when a draft of the ISO standard for flux-cored wires
Thomas Medal:
was first prepared by the IIW Commission XII. Since A prestigious honor that
then the work of international standardization has had to was denominated with
encounter many turns and twists, involving hot the commemoration of
arguments between a number of representatives from the achievement of
European countries, USA, Canada and Japan. In January AWS standardization by
1998, however, at the ISO/TC44/SC3 (welding Mr. Thomas and
consumables) meeting, Mr. Tsutsumi proposed the Dr. Thomas Jr. (USA)

“cohabitation idea”, as a way for two systems to“live

together.”After the idea was accepted by ISO in 1999,
progress on the international project of standardization
has been boosted. Reported by KWT editorial staff

KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

October 2003, Vol.6 (No.4)
Publisher : The International Operations Dept., Welding Company, Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Printer : Fukuda Printing Co., Ltd.
Editor : KOBELCO WELDING TODAY Editorial Staff
URL : http : // www.kobelco.co.jp
E-MAIL : iod@melts.kobelco.co.jp
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