Estimation of Weld Mechanical Properties of GTAW SUS316H Plate by an Instrumented Indentation Technique

Different microstructures in the weld zone of a metal structure, including a fusion zone and a heat affected zone (HAZ), are formed compared to the base material. Consequently, the mechanical properties of the weld zone may be different from those of the base material to a certain degree owing to different microstructures. When a welded structure without applying any post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) is loaded, the actual structural behavior of the welded structure might be different from that of a structure with homogeneous mechanical properties owing to the different mechanical properties and residual welding stresses. Therefore, understanding the weld mechanical properties is an important first step for evaluating the structural behavior reliably to some extent. In this study, the GTAW weld mechanical properties of SUS316H plate, such as yield stress and ultimate tensile strength, are estimated using an instrumented indentation technique.