Microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar welds between 16Mn and 304L in underwater wet welding

Dissimilar joint between 304L austenitic stainless steel and low-alloy steel 16Mn was underwater wet welded using self-shielded nickel-based tubular wire. Microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of dissimilar welded joints were discussed. Ni-based weld metal was fully austenitic with well-developed columnar sub-grains. Type II boundary existed between Ni-based weld metal and ferritic base metal in underwater welds similar to that in air welds. Major alloying elements distributed non-uniformly across the austenitic weld metal/16Mn interface. Maximum hardness values in wet welding appeared in a coarse-grained heat-affected zone at the 16Mn side, which possessed very low impact toughness. Underwater Ni-based welded joints fractured at Ni-based weld metal under tensile test. Ni-based weld metal had favourable corrosion resistance similar to 304L base metal.