TY - JOUR A1 - Hübner, Martin A1 - Dittmann, Florian A1 - Kromm, Arne A1 - Varfolomeev, Igor A1 - Kannengiesser, Thomas T1 - Enhancement of the fatigue strength by application of a low transformation temperature (LTT) welding consumable JF - Welding in the World N2 - Low transformation temperature (LTT) welding consumables offer a possibility to enhance fatigue strength in welded components without post-treatment. By lowering the martensite start temperature (MS), the volume expansion during transformation near ambient temperature reduces welding related tensile residual stresses in fatigue-critical areas. To evaluate this effect, longitudinal stiffeners were used, a LTT and conventional filler serve as welding consumable, also high frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatment was carried out. Three single-pass and six additional-pass sample series were investigated on residual stress and fatigue strength. The additional welds were applied in fatigue crack critical areas with different weld shapes, achieved by varying welding parameters. Mechanical tests on reference samples evaluated the properties of the diluted LTT welds. Although reduced toughness was observed, no fatigue cracks occurred in LTT single-pass weld roots. The fatigue strength at two million cycles increased from 81 MPa to 121 MPa compared to conventional welds, while HFMI reached 146 MPa. With an additional LTT weld pass the results varied from 138 MPa to 196 MPa, depending to the shape and residual stress state. The results show that LTT fillers effectively enhance fatigue performance, and that weld geometry and parameter selection are as critical as the chemical composition for maximizing the LTT effect. CY - Genua, Italy DA - 22.06.2025 KW - Low transformation temperature (LTT) KW - Martensite start temperature KW - Residual stress KW - Longitudenal stiffener KW - Fatigue strength PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-654520 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-026-02356-8 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-65452 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -