- Low transformation temperature (LTT) welding consumables are an innovative approach to reduce tensile residual stress in weld seams and the surrounding heat affected zone (HAZ). The reduced tensile stress can lead to an improvement in fatigue strength of welded components. LTT alloys are characterized by a chemical composition which reduce the martensite start temperature (Ms) close to room temperature. This article focuses on a hybrid use of LTT filler metals, where the LTT filler is applied as an additional layer to conventional welds on fatigue-critical spots. Conventional gas metal arc welded longitudinal stiffeners are used as specimens. At the face ends of the stiffeners, a second LTT layer was added with various modifications in weld shapes. These different shapes were achieved by changing the welding parameters such as welding speed and offset to the first layer. These samples were used to analyze shape, dilution, resulting Ms, residual stress and fatigue strength. TheLow transformation temperature (LTT) welding consumables are an innovative approach to reduce tensile residual stress in weld seams and the surrounding heat affected zone (HAZ). The reduced tensile stress can lead to an improvement in fatigue strength of welded components. LTT alloys are characterized by a chemical composition which reduce the martensite start temperature (Ms) close to room temperature. This article focuses on a hybrid use of LTT filler metals, where the LTT filler is applied as an additional layer to conventional welds on fatigue-critical spots. Conventional gas metal arc welded longitudinal stiffeners are used as specimens. At the face ends of the stiffeners, a second LTT layer was added with various modifications in weld shapes. These different shapes were achieved by changing the welding parameters such as welding speed and offset to the first layer. These samples were used to analyze shape, dilution, resulting Ms, residual stress and fatigue strength. The dilatometer verified Ms and dilution did not change significant, although the area of the 2nd LTT weld seam was varying clear with each modification. However, the weld modification had a significant effect on the residual stress state and the fatigue strength. The X-ray determined residual stress in the HAZ became lower when the weld toe of the LTT layer was further away from the stiffener. All samples with LTT weld exhibit significantly higher fatigue strength values than conventionally single and double-layer welded samples. The lower the residual stress at weld toe, the higher the fatigue strength. The results show that on the one hand LTT filler metals increase the fatigue strength, and on the other hand the impact of LTT fillers materials is not restricted to the dilution and Ms, the shape of the weld seam must also be considered.…

