Abstract—The AFNOR 15CDV6 steel is high strength steel with relatively low level alloy content. By processing the steel through ESR with inoculation a marginal increase in strength and further increase in ductility and notch toughness can be obtained. The strength of the steel is inadequate for its use in fabrication of rocket motor casing in the Indian Space Programme. By increasing both carbon and chromium content of the AFNOR 15CDV6 steel strength can be increased, primarily as a cost effective for space launch vehicle applications. Welding is a major step in the fabrication of most of the pressure vessels, structures and equipments. Steels with carbon equivalent in excess of 0.40wt% shows a tendency to form martensite on welding, and therefore are considered difficult to weld. This ESR modified 15CDV6 material has a carbon equivalent value of nearly 1.0 that classified it as a very difficult to weld steel. In the present work, ESR modified 15CDV6 material welding was carried out successfully by Auto GTAW as well as Manual GTAW, without preheating. This was carried out by modification of welding parameters, cleaning process, tacking sequence etc. Mechanical Properties of the Weld are meeting requirements.

Index Terms—AFNOR 15CDV6, ESR, GTAW, Chromium, Molybdenum, Vanadium, Bainitic steel

Cite: M Chandra Sekhar, D Srinivasa Rao and Dasari Ramesh, "Welding Development in ESR Modified 15CDV6 Material," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 499-504, July 2014.