Electron beam weldability of 14 % manganese steel

Electron beam welding of conventional high manganese steels containing nitrogen or the like was difficult due to occurrence of blow holes and voids. In this report, tendency of defect occurrence (such as cracks and voids) and mechanical properties of electron beam welds of 14 % Mn steel are described. A new type of high manganese steel (14 % Mn, 0.6 % C, 2 % Cr, 2 % Ni) without nitrogen addition which has been developed to prevent occurrence of blow holes and voids was used in this study. The steel plates used in the tests were 90 mm in thickness. A high vacuum type welding machine with maximum output of 42 kW (60 kV) was used throughout the tests. (author)