Effect of the thermal cycle in welding on the structure and phase composition of the heat-affected zone in maraging steel

1. The increase of grain size during welding depends on the cooling rate and on the time the metal remains at temperatures above the α→γ transformation temperature. 2. Cooling from α→γ transformation temperatures at a low rate leads to an increase in the amount of retained austenite and some reduction of hardness in the heat-affected zone.