Key Words - austenitic pipe, chromium-nickel ANSI/AWS 010.

4-86
pipe, gas metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, An American National Standard
recommended practice, stainless steel pipe, shielded
metal arc \velding
Approved by
American National Standards Institute -
November 12, 1986

Recommended Practices
for Welding Austenitic
Chromium-Nickel
Stainless Steel
Piping and Tubing

Superseding AWS DIO.4-79

Prepared by
AWS Committee on Piping and Tubing

Issued, 1986

Under the Direction of

AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approv~d by
AWS Board of Directors
April!!,1986

Abs,tract
This document presents a detailed discussion of the metallurgical characteristics and \veldability of many grades of
austenitic stainless steel used in piping and tubing. The delta ferrite content as expressed by ferrite number (FN) is
explained, and its importance in minimizing hot cracking is discussed.
A number of Figures and Tables illustrate recommended joint designs and procedures. Appendix A presents
information on the welding of high-carbon stainless steel cast pipe fittings.

AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY

550 N.W. Lejeune Road, P.O. Box 351040~ Miami, FL 33135
 Policy Statement on Use of AWS Standards

All standards of the American Welding Society (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, etc.) are
voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National
Standards Institute. When AWS standards are either incorporated in or made part of documents that are included in
federal or state laws and regulations or the regulations of other governmental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal
authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental
body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these
standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes AWS standards. Where this
contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement
between the contracting parties.

International Standard Book Number: 0-8171-267-9

American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune--Road, P.O. Box 351040, Miami, Florida 33135

© 1986 by American Welding Society. All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America
5 4 3 2 I

Note: By publishing this standard, the American Welding Society does not insure anyone using the information it
contains against liability arising from that. Publication of a standard by the American Welding Society does not carry
with it any right to make, use, or sell any patented items. Each user of the information in this standard should make an
independent investigation of the validity of that information for the particular use and the patent status of any item
-referred to herein.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the Committee on Piping and Tubing. It must be reviewed every five
years and if not revised, it must be either reapproved or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or
deletions) and any pertinent data which may be of use in improving this standard are requested and should b~ addressed
to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful considerations by the Committee on Piping and Tubing and
the author of the comment will be informed ofthe committee's response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all
meetings of the Committee on Piping and Tubing to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an
adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of
Operation of the Technical Activities
Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. Lejeune Rd., P.O.
Box 351040, Miami, Florida 33135.
 Personnel
AWS Committee on Piping and Tubing

R. R. Wright, Chairman Moody-Tottrup International) Incorporated

R. Giambelluca 1st Vice Chairman
J C. F. Braun and Company
J. E Fisher, 2nd Vice Chairman Speri Associates
E. J. Seel, Secretary American Welding Society
W. L. Rallis Columbia Gas Distribution Companies
G. o. Curbow Consultant
H. W Ebert Exxon Research and Engineering Company
R. S. Green National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau
R. B. Gwin McDermott International
E. A. Harwart Consultant
G. K, Hickox Consultant
J. E. Hinkel Lincoln Electric Company
P. P. Holz** Consultant
R. B. Kadiyala Techalloy Maryland, Incorporated
A. N. Kugler* Consultant
R. J. Landrum * Consultant
J. R. McGuffey Oak Ridge National Laboratory
L. A. Maier Bethlehem Welding & Safety Supply> Incorporated
J. W. Moeller* Consultant
M. D. Randall* CRe Automatic Welding
H. L. Saunders Alcan International, Ltd.
P. C. Shepard Consultant
E. G. Shifrin Detroit Edison Company
G. K. Sosnin Consultant
H. A. Sosnin Consultant
W. J. Sperko Sperko Engineering Services
J. G. Tack Armco, Incorporated
1. C. Thompson, Jr. * Consultant
D. R. Van Buren The East Ohio Gas Company

AWS Subcommittee on Welding Practices and Procedures for Austenitic Steels

E. A. Har~vart, Chairman Consultant
E. J. Seel, Secretary American Welding Society
G. O. Curbo}v Consultant
H. ~ Ebert* Exxon Research and Engineering Company
R. S. Green National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau
R. B. Kaydiyala Techalloy Maryland, Incorporated
J. R. McGuffey Oak Ridge National Laboratory
1: G. Tack Armco, Incorporated
*Advisors
**Deceased

111
 Foreword

(This Foreword is not a part of DIO.4-86, Recommended Practices for Welding Austenitic Chromium-Nickel
Stainless Steel Piping and Tubing but is included for information purposes only.)
These recommended practices are intended to provide information which may be used to avoid, or at least minimize~
difficulties in welding austenitic stainless steel piping and tubing, The term pipe used in the text also includes tube. Cast
chromium-nickel stainless steel pipe with carbon content above 0.20 percent requires practices different from the
austenitic stainless steels, therefore they are covered in the Appendix.
The first document on this subject was approved by the AWS Board of Directors in August 1955 under the title, The
Welding of Austenitic Chromium-Nickel Steel Piping and Tubing, A Committee Report and published as AWS
DIO.4-55T. This version was revised in 1966.
In 1979) a maj or updating of the document was completed and published as AWS D10.4-79, Recommended Practices
for Welding Austenitic Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Piping and Tubing. This version presented a detailed
discussion of the role of delta ferrite in austenitic chromium-nickel steel welds.
The present document further expands and refines this information and, in addition, contains an Appendix which
gives recommendations for welding high-carbon stainless steel castings.
Comments or inquiries pertaining to these recommended practices are welcome. They should be addressed to:
Secretary, AWS Committee on Piping and Tubing, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. Lejeune Road, P.O. Box
"351040, Miami, FL 33135.

IV
 Table of Contents
page no.
Pel·S011nel I •••• I I • I I •••• I •• I I • I •••• I ••• I I •••• I I ••••• I •••••• I •• , ••••••• , ill
Fore~vord I I • I I • I ••••••••• , •••••••••••• e ••••••• e e ••••••••••••• e- • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. •• iv
List of Tables " t •••• I I I I •• Ie •••• I •• I • I •••••••• I •••••••• I • .; •••••••• I vii
List of FiglJres I ••••••••••••••••• e • e •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I I I ••••••••••••••••••••••• viii
Intl'oduct ion I • I •••••• I ••• I I I •••••••••••••• I • • • • • 1
1. ~Material COlnpositions and Specifications e e ••••••••••••••••••••• I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1
1.1 Compositions I I •••••••• I ••• I •••••••••••••• I ••••••••••••••••••••••• I • _, •••••••••••• I I 1
1.2 Specifications I I •••••••••••••••••••• I •••••••••••••••••• I • • • • • • • • • • • 1
2. Base Metals t I I ••• I •••••• I •••••••• I •• I ••••••••••••••••••• I I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 1
2.1 Primary Types (304, 305, 309, and 310) I I ••••• I •• I ••••• I I •• I 1
2.2 Chromium-Nickel~Molybdenum Types (316 and 317) " ..•... , .. I I •••••••••••••••••••• I ... I 3
2.3 Stabilized Types (321 and 347) I ••••••••••• I I I •• I I •• I • I I I I •••• I •• I I I •• I •••• I I I 3
2.4 Lo\v Carbon Types (304L, 309S~ 3108, and 316L) I ••• I I •••• I I .. I • I I I ••••••• I ••• I • • • • • • • • • • •• 3
2.5 "H"Types (305H, 316H, 321H, 347H, and 348H) I I ••••••••••••••••••••••• I " '" 4
2.6 Stainless Steel for Nuclear Service Types (348 and 348H) e • • • • • • • • .. • • • • • • • • •• 4
2.7 High Carbon Cast Types (HF, HH, HK, HE, HT, HI, HU, and HN) - I ••• I •••••• I 5
2.8 Low Carbon Cast Types (CF3, CF8, CF8C, CF8M, CF3M, eR8, CPK20, and CH20) I ••• I • • •• 6
3. Filler Metal I ••••••• , I •••••••••• I ••••••• I I I I •••• I I •• 6
3.1 Selection of Filler Metal "_ I •• I • • • • • • •• 6
3.2 WeldiIlg Electrodes " " , I ••••••••••••••••• " • • • • • • • •• 6
4. Ferrite I • I _" •••••••••••• '" - •• 7
4.1 Weld Metal Structure . I I I I I •••• I ••••••••• I I •••• I • • • • • • • • • •• 7
4.2 Ferrite Phase e I ••••• I ••••• I ••••••••••••• I ••••• I •• 7
4.3 Measurement of Ferrite I • I ••• I ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I •••••••••••••••• I • t •••••••• I 8
4.4 Importance of Ferrite I I •• I ••••••••••••• , I I ••••••• I I I •• I ••• I •• I •••• I •••••••• I I •• I 8
4.5 Ferrite in Root Passes and Subsequent Passes .. I •••••• I I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. .. • • • • .. • • • .. • • • • .. • .. .. •• 9
4.6 Effect of Welding Conditions on Ferrite I ••••••••• I •••••••••••••• I •••••••• I • • • • • • •• 9
5. Weldilzg PI'ocesses ...........••.•• I • I I •• I ••• I ••• I •••• I I I • I JI I 9
5.1 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) .. 1-' ••••• " •• t •• I '" •••••• ,-, '" 9
5.2 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) " .. " . I ••••••• I I e ••••••• 10
5.3 Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) " ,., 10
5.4 Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) 11
5.5 Other Welding Processes. I ••• I ••••••••••• " ••••••• " •••••• I •••••••• I " •••••••••• " • " • • • • •• 11
6. Welding of Dissimilar Stainless Steel Joints e e " 11
7. Welded Joints in Pipe I • I I • I •••••••••••••••••••• I •••• I •••••••••••••••••• I • • .. • • • • • • •• 11
7.1 Joint Design I I ••• I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • .. • • .. • • .. • • • • • • • • •• 11
7.2 Consumable Inserts . I I •••••••• I ••••••••••••••••••••••• I ••••••••••••• I • • • • • • • • .. • • • • • • • • • •• 14
7.3 Insert Application I e • • .. • • • • • • • • • .. • .. • • • • • • l4
7.4 Inert Gas Purging I .. t I I ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I • • -. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 16
7.5 Open Butt Welding , I' ••• II •••••••• I •• I ••••••••••• " " 18

v
 8. Welding Techniques 18
8.1 Starting the Arc ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18
8.2 Welding Positon and Electrode Handling : 18 I • • • • • • ••

8.3 Weld Size and Contour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19

8.4 Travel Speed , . . . . . . . . . .. 19
8.5 Welding Current I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 19
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••

8.6 Extinguishing the Arc with SMAW 19

8.7 Cleaning and Finishing 20
8.8 Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 20
9. Problems Related to Welded Joints 21
9.1 Cracking : , .. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21
9.2 Corrosion , , , , 23
9.3 Sigma Phase Formation-High-Temperature Service " .. '" , 24
10. Inspection Methods . ....•.•.•........•......•...•................. , .. , 24
10.1 Visual Inspection 25 , I • • • • • • • • • ••

10.2 Hydrostatic Testing, 25 ,

10.3 Liquid Penetrant Methods 25
10.4 Radiography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25
10.5 Ultrasonic Methods , ...•.. , . . . . . .. 25
10.6 Inspection With Magnetic Instruments 25
10.7 Acoustic Emission Testing Methods (AET) 25
10.8 Chemical Spot Testing , 25
10.9 Halogen Leak Testing Methods , ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25
10.10 Mass Spectrometer Testing Method , , 25
11. Safety and Health .", , , 26
11.1 Fumes and Gases .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26
11.2 Radiation , .. , 26
11.3 Electric Shock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26
11.4 Fire Prevention '- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26
11.5 Explosion 26
11.6 Burns .......•... , • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26
11.7 Further Information , . . . . .. 26
Appendix A -:.- Welding High-Carbon Stainless Steels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27
AI. Introduction I ••••••••• , ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 27
A2. Some Factors Governing Casting Material Use I •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 27
Appendix B - Document List I ••••••••••••••••••• , ••••• I • • • • • • • • • • • • •• 33
Appelldix C -Safety and Health .. I ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 34

vi
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Appendix C

Safety and Health (8) Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Contain

ers, P-l, New York: Compressed Gas Association
There are many factors involved in welding and allied 1974.
processes which may have adverse effects on the safety (9) The Facts About Fume, England: The Weldin
and health of those individuals who work in, or who Institute, 1976.
spend time in, areas where welding and allied operations (10) The Welding Environment, Miami: America
are being performed. Welding Society, 1973.
Individuals and organizations using the processes de- (11) Ultraviolet Reflectance ofPaint, Miami: Amer
scribed in this document should familiarize themselves can Welding Society, 1976.
with the safety and health aspects ofthe work to be done. (12) Welding Fume Control with Mechanical Vent
A series of essays on the subjects of "Fumes and lation, 2nd Ed., San Francisco: Fireman's Fund Insu
Gases", "Noise", "Chromium and Nickel in Welding ance Companies, 1981.
Fume", "Electrical Hazards", "Radiation", "Fire Protec- Further detailed information may be found in th
tion", and "Burn Protection", has appeared in the Weld- publications of the following organizations:
ing Journal (August through December 1982). (1) American Welding Society (AWS)
550 NW LeJeune Road
P.O. Box 351040
Miami, Florida 33135
Supplementary Reading List (2) Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), all publications available from:
(1) ANSIjNFPA 51-BI977, Cutting and Welding
Superintendent of Documents
Processes, Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection
U.S. Printing Office
Association.
Washington, DC 20402
(2) Arc Welding and Cutting Noise, Miami: Ameri-
can Welding Society, 1979. (3) American Conference of Governmental Industria
(3) Balchin, N. C., Health and Safety in Welding and Hygienist (ACGIH)
Allied Processes, 3rd Ed., England: The Welding Insti- 6500 Glenway Avenue
tute, 1983. Building D-S
(4) Compressed Gas Association, Inc., Handbook of Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
Compressed Gases, 2nd Ed., New York: Von Nontrand
(4) National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Reinhold Co., 1981.
Health (NIOSH)
(5) Dalziel, Charles E, Effects ofElectric Current on
4676 Columbia Parkway
Man, ASEE Journal, 1973, June 18-23.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
(6) Effects of Welding on Health, I, II, III, and IV,
Miami: American Welding Society, 1979, 1981, 1983. (5) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
(7) Fumes and Gases in the Welding Environment, Batterymarch Park
Miami: American Welding Society, 1979. Quincy, Massachusetts 02269