Purging with Nitrogen in the Welding
of Austenitic Stainless Steels
Tests show no difference in properties between nitrogen
and argon purged joints
BY C. V. SHIRWAIKAR AND G. P. REDDY
ABSTRACT. In welding stainless steel
components such as pipes and tubes
where the back of the joint is not
accessible for welding by the GTAW
or GMAW processes, the back is
purged by argon gas. This purging
may be maintained for more than one
pass. The effect of replacing argon by
nitrogen was investigated for the pur-
pose of reducing welding costs. The
study reveals that nitrogen can very
well be used to replace argon for
purging in pipe welding without any
adverse effects on the properties of
the unstabilized austenitic stainless
steels.
Introduction
Austenitic stainless steel welding is
widely performed in the fabrication of
various components for the chem-
ical, pharmaceutical, nuclear, food
processing and other industries. In
these areas, the welding of piping
must be of a quality that will safe-
guard the full operating life of the
plant and will avoid costly shutdowns
for reasons of weld repairs.
The main processes used for
welding of austenitic stainless steels
are the gas tungsten-arc (GTA) and
the gas metal-arc (GMA) welding
processes for the thinner sections; for
t h i c k e r s e c t i o n s , the w e l d i n g
procedure may include the sub-
merged arc process as well as shield-
ed metal-arc welding.
C. V. SHIRWAIKAR is a graduate student
and G. P. REDDY is Lecturer, Mechanical
Engineering Department, Indian Institute
of Technology, Bombay, India, 400076.
12-s I J A N U A R Y 1 9 7 5
Back Purging
In all but very large diameter pipes,
welding should be done from the out-
side only and the root passes are nor-
mally done by the GTA process. Gas
backing is most frequently employed
in conjunction with GTA welding.
Backing gas protects the underside of
the weld and the adjacent base metal
surfaces from atmospheric con-
tamination which may result in weld
porosity or poor surface appearance.
The requirement is for a small gas
flow to maintain the purge. Where
necessary to minimize oxidation on
the inside surface of the pipe, the
back purging should be maintained
during several subsequent layers of
welding regardless of welding
process used. The volume of gas re-
quired is therefore considerable.
In India and elsewhere argon is
commonly used as a purging gas. If
nitrogen can be used to replace
argon, there being a vast difference in
the cost of the two gases, it can con-
tribute substantially to the economy of
the operation in the fabrication of
austenitic stainless steel piping. Also
nitrogen is used as an alloy in the de-
velopment of high proof stress
austenitic stainless steels. It is a po-
tential austenitizer and thus reduces
the delta ferrite content in the weld.
Table 1 — Composition of Base Metal and Filler Metal, %
Cr Ni
Base Metal 6.65 11.45 2-3
Filler Metal 6.25 13.025 2-3
Taking note of these factors and
the economic considerations, it was
proposed to study the effect of ni-
trogen purging on a comparative
basis to argon purging with respect to
mechanical properties, weld struc-
ture and corrosion properties of weld-
ed joints in austenitic stainless AISI
type 316 steel by the GTA welding
process.
Experimentation
Butt welds were made with 4 mm
thick AISI type 316 austenitic stain-
less steel plates using GTA welding.
The root welds were made without
any filler and the second pass of the
two-pass butt welds was made with
AISI type ER 316 L filler wire. The
composition of the base plate and
filler metal is given in Table 1. The
welding conditions are given in Table
2. The weld root and adjacent plate
showed no discoloration on the sur-
face in both the argon and nitrogen
purged joints.
Results and Discussion
1. Radiographic Tests. X-ray ,ra-
diographs of the joints revealed the
joints to be sound without any poros-
ity and cracking both in argon as well
as in nitrogen purged joints.
Mo Si Mn
0.3 1.61 0.09 0.14
0.41 2 Max. 0.03 Max. 0.17
 Table 2 — Experimental Condition* Tabla 4 — Delta-Ferrlta Content In t h * Wald

Sr. Joint Delta-Ferrlte,

Open clr. Arc Welding Heat no. no. % <»>
Sr. Joint voltage, voltage, Current, speed input
no. no. V V±1 A mm/min kJ/mm 1 1 N 1 to 1.5
2 2 N 1 to 1.5
1 1 N 63 10 66 25 1.584 3 3 N 0.6 to 1
2 2 N 62 10 85 34.3 1.4875 4 4 Ar 0to1
3 3 N 58.5 10 77 65 0.714 5 5 N 0to1
4 4 Ar 58.5 10 77 60 0.77 6 6 N 0 to 0.6
5 5 N 63 10 102 117 0.525 7 7 Ar 0 to 0.6
6 6 N 63 10 86 89 0.58 8 10 Ar root pass 0 to 0.6
7 7 Ar 62.5 10 86 62.25 0.82 9 10 A r 2 n d pass Nil
8 10 Ar 60 10 82 61 0.806 10 11 N root pass 0 to 0.6
9 10 Ar 60 10 77 41.6 1.11 11 11 N 2nd pass 0 to 0.6
10 11 N 62 10 82 61 0.806 12 12 N root pass 0 to 0.6
11 11 N 62 10 77 40 1.155 13 12 N 2nd pass Nil
12 12 N 60 11 82 58 0.9325 14 13 Ar root pass 0 to 0.6
13 12 N 60 11 77 45 1.131 15 13 Ar 2nd pass Nil
14 13 Ar 60 11 82 44.5 1.23 16 14 N 0to1
15 13 Ar 60 11 77 38.8 1.31 17 15 N 0to1
16 14 N 60 11 83 46.8 1.157 18 16 N root pass 0.9 to 1.5
17 15 N 60 11 82 40.75 1.33 19 16 N 2nd pass 0 to 0.6
18 16 N 62 11 84 18.35 3.02 20 17 Ar 0to1
19 16 N 62 11 82 20.10 2.69 21 18 N 0to1
20 17 Ar 56.5 11 130 166.4 0.515 22 19 N 0to1
21 18 N 56.5 11 130 144.3 0.594 23 20 Ar Oto 1
22 19 N 62 11 120 162 0.489 (a) Estimated by observation of microstructure. In all
23 20 Ar 61 11 120 133.5 0.593 cases ferrite appeared to be more near the fusion boun-
dary than at the center of the weld

Table 3 — Tensile Strength Results

2. Mechanical Tests. The results of
Proof Tensile
tensile strength tests along with per-
Sr. Joint stress strength Elongation,
kg/mm2
centage elongation are given in Table
no. no. kg/mm2 % Remarks< b )
3. Tensile strength tests revealed a
1 12 N<a> 38.3 60.075 52.125 FR weld proof strength of 38.3 k g / m m 2
2 13 Ar (a > 39.55 61.05 49.4 FR and 39.55 k g / m m 2 in nitrogen and
3 12 N 35.5 59.5 49.0 FB argon purged joints respectively and
4 13 Ar 33.3 58.6 47.5 FB the base metal proof strength to be
5 Base plate 33.7 59.1 54.0 — 33.7 k g / m m 2 . The tensile strength
6 Base plate — 52.8 — From was around 60 k g / m m 2 in all the three
standards cases. The percentage elongation of
(a) Average of two close values
the welded joints was f o u n d to be
(b) FR = Failure in weld zone, reduced section test; FB Failure in base plate slightly less, i.e., 49 per cent and 47.5
per cent for nitrogen and argon
purged joints respectively, than that
of the base metal, which had a per-
centage elongation of 54 per cent.
Guided 180 deg root bend tests show-
ed no cracks on the root surface of
both the argon and nitrogen purged
joints.
< The hardness variation curves of
o two argon and nitrogen purged joints
as given in Fig. 1 show that the hard-
ness variation is within 15 to 20
Vickers hardness number (at 10 kg
load) across the joint including the
w e l d p o r t i o n , h e a t - a f f e c t e d zone
(HAZ) and base metal in both the
or cases of purging. Similar results were
< found with all the argon and nitrogen
purged joints.
3. Chemical Analysis tor Nitrogen
or
UJ Content. The chemical analysis of the
weld root portion for nitrogen c o n -
tent showed no pattern of variation of
nitrogen content up to a root depth of
1 mm in either the nitrogen or argon
purged welds as shown in Fig. 2(a)
and (b). The results of average ni-'
trogen content in the weld roots of
argon and nitrogen purged joints with
10 5 0 5 10 15
current are given in Fig. 3. It can be
DISTANCE FROM WELD CENTRE (mm) seen from Fig. 3 that the nitrogen con-
Fig- 1 — Hardness variation across the joint for nitrogen and argon purged welds tent lies within the limit of 0.065 to 0.2

WELDING RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT! 13-s

 1 1 1 i i 1 1
„ NITROGEN PURGED
e ARGON P SGED
°"
A
2 A A
- „.*, »
0 • 1 N -10 V 66 A e
A
_ X 2 N - 1 0 V , SS A
. e
V 5N-I0V 102A 8
a
- o
o o Q K N - 1 1 V , 83 A
-
0 15 N - 11 V 82 A

- 6 I 6 N - 11 V , 82 A - O-OS
- \"
X .X X
« •
X X
• 9 • 0-04

V • o o
Q B
•OS.
Q • V
B
V Fig. 3 — Average nitrogen content of weld
root passes as a function of current
1 i i 1 ' I

0 -2 •< -6 -8 10
per cent irrespective of whether the
ROOT DEPTH mm. joint is argon purged or nitrogen
purged. The m a x i m u m nitrogen c o n -
Fig. 2(a) — Nitrogen content variations in weld root passes for six nitrogen purged joints tent is less than the e q u i l i b r i u m
solubility of this element in these
•2 .' 1 1 1 1
types of steels. The second pass of
*- 6
i 1
the two-pass joints showed a nitrogen
-20 A - content equal to that of the filler metal
o
•IB
o
X
V
X
A
A
A
0
A
0 X "J
(Ar J
10 V , 7 7 A
-
or slightly more.
A
+ 6 N 1
10 V 86A
4. Microstructural Examination.
7ArJr
A
• 11-
O V • The delta-ferrite content estimates
A V
V A 10A r l are given in Table 4. Delta-ferrite
.14
• 0
• B 11 N J
I 10 V , 8 2 A
_ presence in all cases was found more
.12
V ID
• 17 A r l near the fusion boundary than at the
11 V , 130 A
© 18 N J center of the weld. The estimates of
delta-ferrite content in the joints were
10
A 19 N 1
- found to be below one per cent and in
a • 11 V , 120 A
7 20 A r
•Ott V + some cases below 0.6 per cent. In the
t + 7
-
second pass of two-pass joints, fully
+ _
•06
• £' 0
B
austenitic weld metal was found. Even
with such low f e r r i t e content, no
7
•0< + " microcracks were found in the joints.
1 i 1 1 I 1
Estimates of carbide precipitation
are given in Table 5. The carbide
precipitation was found to be varying
ROOT DEPTH mm
depending on the specific heat input.
Fig. 2(b) - Comparison between nitrogen content variation in nitrogen and argon purged It is observed from Table 5 that there
weld roots made with equal heat inputs is no carbide precipitation for specific
heat energy inputs equal or below 0.8
k J / m m run.
Table 5 — Carbide Precipitation 5. Corrosion Resistance Test. The
"oxalic acid etch test," r e c o m m e n d e d
Sr. Joint by ASTM for classification of etch
no. no. Microstructural observations s t r u c t u r e s of stainless steels for
screening specimens for acceptance
1 N ^
Carbide precipitation In staggered regions along grain boundaries in a in the total submersion corrosion
region 5 mm wide and about 5 mm away from the weld tests, was used to study the nature
2 N -'
and extent of corrosion of the nitro-
7 Ar Slight carbide precipitation in staggered regions along grain boun- gen and argon purged joints. The
daries in a region about 3 mm wide and about 5 mm away from the weld results are given in Table 6. From the
corrosion test results it can be seen
10 Ar \ that heat-affected zone was attacked
Carbide precipitation In a region 5 mm wide and about 5 to 6 mm away
from the weld. One or two grains completely surrounded by carbides in the cases where the specific heat
11 N / input was above 0.8 k J / m m run. The
12 N weld corrosion was of interdendritic
Carbide precipitation In a region 4 to 5 mm wide and 5 mm away from "ditches" type in both the nitrogen
13 Ar
15 N the weld. More than one grain completely surrounded by carbides and argon purged joints. There was
no difference in the nature and ex-
16 N Carbide precipitation completely surroundlg the grains In a region about tent of corrosion in the nitrogen and
5 to 6 mm wide and about 3 mm away from the weld argon purged joints.

7 14 N Slight carbide precipitation In HAZ Conclusions

8 Other No carbide precipitation
joints 1. The various tests and analyses
show no comparative difference in the

14-8 I J A N U A R Y 1 975
p r o p e r t i e s of t h e n i t r o g e n a n d a r g o n
p u r g e d j o i n t s a n d h e n c e it c a n b e Table 6 — Corrosion Test Results
c o n c l u d e d that nitrogen can very well
b e u s e d a s a p u r g i n g g a s in t h e
w e l d i n g of a u s t e n i t i c unstabilized Sr. Joint
no. no. Microstructural observations
stainless steels.
2. W e l d i n g s h o u l d b e p e r f o r m e d 1 1 N ' Dual structure HAZ attack; grain boundaries partly surrounded by
with the m i n i m u m specific heat input
ditches, weld attack, interdendritic ditches
possible. 2 N

Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to Messers
Larsen and Toubro Ltd., Powai, for pro-
viding stainless steel material and filler
wires.
References
1. A m e r i c a n Society for Metals, Metals
Handbook, Vol. 6, Welding and Brazing,
8th Edition.
2. A m e r i c a n Welding Society, Welding
of Austenitic Cr-Ni Steel Piping and Tub-
ing, A W S D10.4-66.
3. Gooch, T. G., "The corrosion be-
h a v i o u r of w e l d e d n i t r o g e n b e a r i n g
austenitic stainless steels," Met. Const,
and Br. W. J., 1, D e c , 1969, 0569.
4. Lapsatre, J., Hubert, M. and Messa-
g e s C , "Contribution A L'etude du s o u -
dage des aciers austenitiques du type 18-
10 A L' azote," Revue de Metallurgia,
Nov., 1969, p 7 7 1 .
5. P a s c a r e l , L., H u b e r t , M . a n d
Messager, C , "Aspect particuliers de la
fissuration a chaud par soudage d'aciers
austenitiques influence de L' azote." Rev.
de Met, 68, D e c , 1971, p809.
6. Borland, J. C. and Yonger, R. N.,
"Some aspects of cracking in welded Cr-Ni
austenitic steels," B.W.R.A. Report, Br.
W.J., 7, 1960, p22.
7. Gooch, T. G., "Welding metallurgy of
2 3 N, 17 Ar
4 Ar,18 N No HAZ attack; Weld attack by
5 N, 19 N interdendritic ditches
6 N, 20 Ar
Very slight HAZ attack; Weld attack by
7 Ar
interdendritic ditches
HAZ attack, ditch structure, one or two grains completely sur-
10 Ar
rounded by ditches, weld attack, interdendritic ditches, more in sec-
11 N
ond pass
HAZ attack, ditch structure, more than one grain completely sur-
12 N
rounded by ditches, weld attack, interdendritic ditches, more in sec-
13 Ar
ond pass
14 N HAZ attack feeble, dual structure, grains partly s u r r o u n d e d by
ditches. Weld attack, interdendritic ditches
15 N HAZ attack, ditch structure, m o r e than one grain completely sur-
rounded by ditches, weld attack, interdendritic ditches
8 16 N Heavy HAZ attack, ditch structures, grains completely s u r r o u n d e d by
66, ditches, weld attack, interdendritic ditches, more in second pass
stainless steels," Stainless steels, I.S.I., A.S.M., 4 1 , 1949, 1301.
London, B i r m i n g h a m , 1968, p77. 10. Kakhovski, N. I. a n d Solokha, A. M.,
8. Pinnow, K. E. and Moskowitz, A., "A Cr-Ni Steel Containing Nitrogen, with a
"Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel Low Carbon Content," Auto. Weld. 2 1 ,
Weldments," Welding Journal, 49 (6), June Feb., 1968, p 8 1 .
1970, Res. Suppl., p 278-s to 284-s. 11. Pokhodnya, J. K. and Pal'tsevich, A.
9. Binder, W. O., "Resistance to S e n - P., "Absorption of Nitrogen During the
sitization of Austenitic Cr-Ni Steels of 0.03 Welding of Type 18 Cr-9 Ni steel," Auto.
per cent max. Carbon Content," Trans Weld., March 1970, p9.

WRC Bulletin
No. 185
July 1973

"Improved Discontinuity Detection Using Computer-

Aided Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Techniques"

by J. R. Frederick and J. A. Seydel

The purpose of this project, sponsored by the Pressure Vessel Research Com-
mittee of the Welding Research Council, was to investigate means for obtaining
improved characterization of the size, shape and location of subsurface dis-
continuities in metals. This objective was met by applying computerized data-
processing techniques to the signal obtained in conventional ultrasonic pulse-
echo systems. The principal benefits were improved signal-to-noise ratio and
resolution.
The price of WRC Bulletin 185 is $3.50 per copy. Orders should be sent to the
Welding Research Council, 345 East 47th Street, New York, N.Y. 10017.

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