RAMNAS - Bulten-Kanthal aB NEWS LETTER Ramnas Brukedivisionen S$-730 60 Ramnas Sweden NO. RAM 1/81 1981-01-26 STUDS IN GRADE 4 CHAIN 1. a) en using high-strength chain-steels stud-welding should be ided. The reason is minor cracks in the weld-material is unavoidable. (The cracks are really very small and can only be detected with magnetic particle investigation or by the use of penetrating liquid). These small cracks are increased by the proof-loading of the chain and they could initiate cracks in the chain-meterial, when high-strength steel is utilized. Minor cracks of this kind could also be found with stud-wel- ding of ORQ-chain. In the relatively “soft" ORQ-material, however, the crecks in the stud-weld-material could be toler- ated because the critical fracture-size *) is considerable for "soft" steel. Consequently stud-welding of ORQ-chain is allowed. For high-strength steels the critical fracture-size is smal- ler, and minor cracks could not be tolerated therefore stud- welding of grade 4 chain is not acceptable. Ramnas_ special stud The offshore customers are used to welded studs and they re- quire euch welding. When welding is out of question they are afraid of losing the studs and expect a short life of the chain. Thus it might be reasonable to counter-act the factors that make the studs come out when they are not welded. This may be obtained in two ways. 1) by greater penetration 2) by greater contact surface We are of the opinion that our present penetration depth is optimal (3-4mm on the weld-side of the link and 1-2mm on the back side). We avoid sharp edges (and portrusions). Thus we abstain from changing our penetration. A greater linkecontact surface of the stud might however be justifi The limit here is the space necessary to accomodate a kenter-shack] The sketch enclosed illustrates a stud with maximum contact surface combined with a suitable penetration. The stud has a r=ther heavy body in order to permit a good penetration without studdeformation at the stud-pressing process. Critical fracture size = the maximum limit size of initial crack that does not cause fracture at fracture mechanical testing. Initié cracks with size above the critical will cause failure at the same testing.