A new high-strength, as-hot-rolled plate product has been developed which attains 80 ksi minimum yield strength without heat treatment. In developing this alloy, one of the main criteria was that it should be weldable. The weldability analyses conducted during the developmental and commercialization stages of this alloy are described.
Welding tests were conducted on material from mill trials and included conventional procedure qualifications, implant testing, circular patch testing, Lehigh slot testing, cruciform testing, and controlled thermal severity testing.
Based upon the successful results of these laboratory tests, full-scale customer field fabrication trials were conducted. These trials included the construction of a highly restrained grid bed, crane applications, and off-road truck applications as well as other structural applications. All of these welding trials have been successful.