Date: 25 January 2024

From: Willem Broersma

Subject: Welding of structural steel S355J2G3 with PWHT-ISO 17663

Subject: Welding of structural steel S355J2G3

Material group 1.2 according to ISO/TR 15608

Welding, requires experience of the basic material and the specific welding
technical properties, based on the ISO/TR 15608:2000 standard.
The yield stress is at a level of approx. 440 N/mm2 or higher
The weldability depends on C% and C equivalent, heat input and hydrogen
content of the welding consumable.
At C% > 0.20 and Ceq > 0.43, check whether preheating is required.

Explanation: Steel S355J2G3 Structural Steel Group 1.2

S355J2G3 has a carbon content of up to 0.25% depending on its chemical

composition and application.
Silicon and manganese percentage has been increased to ensure the strength
and hardness.
Silicon is supposed to remove the oxygen present from the steel.
Manganese placed on substitutional in the grid will cause tensions here.

Cold cracks in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).

1. Cold cracking next to or in the weld depends on the amount of dissolved

hydrogen melt pool and weld metal;
2. Degree of susceptibility of cracking of weld metal structure and heat-
affected zone (WBZ);
3. Height of the shrinkage stresses that are inevitably present in the weld;
4. Temperature of the welded joint.

If one of these 4 conditions is completely absent or if all 4 conditions are

sufficiently weakened, no cracks will occur.

Cold crack in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).

1
 WPS according to EN ISO 15609-1 135/136 P BW 1.2 w m t 15 PA nb

Weld process according to ISO 4063: GMAW 135/136 (S and M)

Filler material according to AWS A.518: ER 70S-6 ø1 mm/E70-6MH4 ø 1.2 mm
Shielding gas according to EN 439: M21 Ar/15-25CO2 (12-15 l/min)
WPS number: WB 2018-001
WPAR number:
Manufacturer: Red Steel Construction
Customer's order no.:
Drawing.nr 2018-001
Welding joint according -ISO 9692: Single V joint (ref.nr 1.3)
Preparation of the weld edges: Cutting or machining
Material specification EN 10025: S355J2G3 mat.nr 1.0570.(3.1.B)
Material thickness: 15 mm
Welding position according to ISO 6947: PA
Description according to ISO 9606: 136 P BW 1.2 wm t15 PA nb
Determination of quality EN 25817: Level B
Welding current/polarity: DC +
Overhang: 15-20 mm
Cleaning the base layer: Grinding and brushing
Preheat temperature °C: No (CE = C+Mn/6= 0,36)
Interlayer temperature °C: Optimal ∆ t 8/5 between 6-15 sec
Heat treatment after welding: Slow Cooling After Welding
Backing: No
Comments:

JOINT PRAPARATION BEAD SEQUENCE

135 135/136
3 3x10 (95) 15 250
25817 B PA
25817 B
30±2 30±2
50 nd nd
5 6 4
15 3
1 2
1
3

Welding parameters

Weld llayer Filler material Current Arc Voltage Speed

No AWS A 518 A V Mm/min
Tacking E 70S-6 ø 1mm 110-130 20-22
1 E 70S-6 ø 1mm 110-130 20-22 100-120
2 to 6 E70-6MH4 ø 1,2mm 200-230 24-26 250-270
The value of heat input expressed in kJ per mm of welding length.

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 An estimate can be made using the formula:
U = 60 x E x I /v, warin,
E = boogspanning and V volt.
I = las stroom in A ampere.

The value of heat input lies in:

GMAW-135 with solid wire at approx. 1 kJ/mm, press Fig.

GMAW-136 with filled wire on ca. 1-2 kJ/m, press on afb.

Amount of dissolved hydrogen in the weld metal

For filler material AWS A 5.18 E70C-6MH4, H4 stands for a low hydrogen percentage
HD = 0-5 ml /100 gram
The additives E70S-6 and E70C-6MH4, have a low hydrogen percentage,
HD = 0-5 ml 100 gram
The degree of susceptibility of cracking of the structure of the weld metal and heat-affected
zone (WBZ) is small

Notch toughness properties WBZ

In addition to the melting line, the boundary between molten weld metal and solid material has a
structure change on it.
The decrease in notch impact properties is greater the more heat is introduced during welding
and the cooler the weld and its surroundings cool.

Melting
line

Decrease in notch properties

Insufficient strength of weld metal.

Basically, the weld metal is stronger than the base material.

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Chemical composition S355J2G3

The hardenability of structural steel, S355J2G3 is determined by its composition.

The C content plays a decisive role here, other elements also exert their influence, especially
Mn.

Type of Matr. %C % Mn % Si %P %s %N
designation number
S355J2G3 1.0577 0.20 1.6 0.55 0.035 0.035 -

According to the practical IIW formula for calculation CE (carbon equivalent)

(CE = C+Mn/6= 0,36)
Optimal ∆ t 8/5 between 6-15 sec
Slow Cooling After Welding

Weldability areas depending on the relationship between C content and CE

C quality
in %

0.8

0.6 Weldable
region Area with a risk of
cold cracking
0.4

0.2

Uptimal weldability
0
0 0.2 0.4. 0.6 0.8 1.0
C equivalent

Welding position PA, the amount of heat introduced has a beneficial effect on the occurrence of
cold cracking.