Fabrication of thick multilayered steel structure using A516 Grade 70 by multipass friction stir welding

In the present work, a thick-sectioned multilayered steel structure was fabricated by multipass friction stir welding on A516 Grade 70 steel. Tensile strength of the multilayered samples was comparable to that of the base metal. Failure was located in the base metal when a defect-free sample was tested. Charpy impact toughness was higher in the stir zone and heat affected zone than in the base metal. Higher microhardness values were found in the stir zone and heat affected zone than the base metal due to grain refinement and modification of the microstructures. Consequently, improved mechanical properties compared to the base metal were found in the weld zones of friction stir welded A516 Grade 70 steel.