Effect of welding procedure on texture and strength of nickel based weld metal

The influence of welding procedure on the relation between texture and tensile strength was studied for shielded metal arc nickel based weld metals. Mechanical properties, microstructure and crystallography were characterised using various techniques including electron back-scattered diffraction and X-ray diffraction. Results showed a correlation between texture and strength. The tensile strength was higher when the predominant direction of grain growth was inclined towards, rather than perpendicular to the test direction. This was seen most clearly for vertical-up welds and for higher energy input horizontal welds tested. The weld pool shape affects grain growth direction and thereby texture. Consequently the welding procedure can to some extent be used to control the tensile strength.