CARBON EQUIVALENT (CE)

and
COMPOSITION PARAMETER (Pcm)
 WELDABILITY CONSIDERATION

A weld joint is the functional unit basic to any welded structure, and the key base
metal property is weldability.
The better the weldability of a metal, the easier the metal can be fabricated into a
suitably designed structure that will perform satisfactorily.

The term "weldability" means the capacity of material to be welded

under the imposed fabrication conditions into a specific, suitably designed
structure and to perform satisfactorily in the intended service.

Weldability is determined by several factors, including:

•Welding metallurgy
•Welding chemistry
•Joint surface condition
•Joint geometry
Engineers should know the weldability of the metals they select.
 CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION

The weldability of carbon steels depends on the base metal's chemistry.

A formula has been developed to quantify a metal's weldability, and determine

whether preheat is needed.

Although Carbon is the most significant alloying element affecting weldability, the
effect of other elements can be estimated by equating them to an equivalent
amount of Carbon.

The effect of total alloy content can be expressed in terms of a CARBON

EQUIVALENT (C.E.)
 CARBON EQUIVALENT CALCULATION

Steels with low CE values (0.20 – 0.30) have excellent weldability.

The susceptibility to hydrogen cracking increases when the CE exceeds 0.40.

In this case, it is recommended that the base metal be preheated in the range of
100 C – 200 C. C Using low-hydrogen electrodes are helpful and PWHT may be
required.

If the CE exceeds 0.60, the preheat range shall be increased to 200 C – 400 C.
C
 COMPOSITION PARAMETER
CALCULATION

Pcm is a composition parameter which is used to indicate cold cracking

susceptibility of a steel.
This formula was introduced to deal with evolving carbon steels being introduced
in the early 1970s.
It was shown that the conventional CE formula developed by IIW did not
accurately predict the cracking tendencies of low-carbon, mechanically processed
steels, especially for pipelines and structural plate.
 COMPOSITION PARAMETER
CALCULATION

The lower carbon content will reduce the calculated CE and Pcm values;
therefore, the material will have lower preheat and interpass temperature.

Selection of the maximum value for Pcm is a matter to be agreed between the
fabricator and the steel mill when the steel is ordered.
 PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT

Phosphorus, in large amounts, increases strength and hardness, but reduces

ductility and impact strength, particularly in the higher-carbon grades.

In low-carbon steels, phosphorus improves machinability and resistance to

atmospheric corrosion.

As far as welding is concerned, phosphorus is an impurity, and should be

kept as low as possible.

Over 0.04% makes welds brittle and increases the tendency to crack.
Phosphorus also lowers the surface tension of the molten weld metal, making it
difficult to control.
 PHOSPOR AND SULPHUR CONTAMINANT

Sulfur increases the machinability of steels, but reduces transverse ductility,

impact toughness, and weldability.

Sulfur in any amount promotes hot shortness in welding, and the tendency
increases with increased sulfur.

It can be tolerated up to about 0.035% (with sufficient Mn), over 0.050%

it can cause serious problems.

Sulfur is also detrimental to surface quality in low-carbon and low-

manganese steels.