Finite element analysis of the residual stress in butt welds of similar and dissimilar steel plates

This study explores the difference and distribution of the residual stresses in weld of similar and dissimilar steel weldments. The thermo-elastic-plastic theory was employed in the finite element model with temperature dependent material properties. The materials used in this investigation were SUS 304 austenitic stainless steel and S15C carbon steel. In thermal analysis, the results show that both similar and dissimilar steel weldments have similar temperature distribution during welding process. In case of the dissimilar steel weldments, it has also shown that high heat conductivity of the S15C carbon steel could decrease the temperature gradient of the SUS 304 stainless steel. In stress analysis, the maximum residual stresses happened in the welds of similar or dissimilar steel weldments. In case of dissimilar steel weldments, the results show that the stresses affected each other in the interface of two steels.