PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

A Quick Guide to Suitable Welding Consumables for

Heat-Resistant Low-Alloy Steel

ASTM / ASME steel grade SMAW

Steel type
Plate Pipe / Tube Brand name1 AWS class.

Mn-Mo A302Gr.B,C,D [T] BL-96 E9016-G

-
Mn-Mo-Ni A533Type A,B,C,D [T] BL-106 E10016-G

A209Gr.T1
0.5Mo A204Gr.A,B,C [T] CM-A76 E7016-A1
A335Gr.P1

A213Gr.T2 [T] CM-B83 E8013-G

0.5Cr-0.5Mo A387Gr.2 Cl.1, Cl.2
A335Gr.P2 [T] CM-B86 E8016-B1

[T] CM-A96 E8016-B2

[T] CM-A96MB (AC) E8016-B2
1Cr-0.5Mo A387Gr.12 Cl.1, Cl.2 A213Gr. T11,T12
[T] CM-A96MBD (DCEP) E8016-B2
1.25Cr-0.5Mo A387Gr.11 Cl.1, Cl.2 A335Gr. P11,T12
[T] CM-B95 E7015-B2L
[T] CM-B98 E8018-B2

[T] CM-A106 E9016-B3

[T] CM-A106N (AC) E9016-B3
A213Gr.T22
2.25Cr-1Mo A387Gr.22 Cl.1, Cl.2 [T] CM-A106ND (DCEP) E9016-B3
A335Gr.P22
[T] CM-B105 E8015-B3L
[T] CM-B108 E9018-B3

A542Type D Cl.4a [T] CM-A106H (AC) -

2.25Cr-1Mo-V -
A832Gr.22V [T] CM-A106HD (DCEP) -

- SA213Gr. T23 [T] CM-2CW -

Low C 2.25Cr-W-V-Nb
SA335Gr. P23
A213Gr.T5
5Cr-0.5Mo A387Gr.5 Cl.1, Cl.2 [T] CM-5 E8016-B6
A335Gr.P5
A213Gr.T9
9Cr-1Mo A387Gr.9 Cl.1, Cl.2 [T] CM-9 E8016-B8
A335Gr.P9
[T] CM-9Cb E9016-G
A213Gr.T91
9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb A387Gr.91 Cl.2 [T] CM-96B9 E9016-B9
A335Gr.P91
[T] CM-95B9 E9015-B9
A213Gr.T92
9Cr-W-V-Nb A335Gr.P92
- [T] CR-12S -
12Cr-W-V-Nb SA213Gr.T122
SA335Gr.P122

1. [F] designates FAMILIARC™, and [T], TRUSTARC™.

 Tips for successful welding results

1. This guidance is to help users select appropriate welding consumables. Users are requested to confirm whether the selected brand
can satisfy the requirements including tensile strength, impact toughness and hardness in conjunction with postweld heat treatment
for a particular job before use.
2. Electric polarity affects the usability of welding consumables and the chemical composition and mechanical properties of weld met-
als; therefore, it is recommended to confirm the performance of the consumable you selected, using the polarity of the power source
available for a particular job. In general, SMAW electrodes of EXX16 use AC or DCEP; EXX15 uses DCEP only; EXX13 uses AC,
DCEN or DCEP; GMAW wires use DCEP; GTAW wires use DCEN; and SAW flux/wire combinations use AC or DCEP; however,
some brands are intended to use specific polarity noted in the parentheses in this table.
3. Welding consumables designated with MG and TG are solid wires for GMAW and GTAW, respectively. The shielding gas for MG
wires varies depending on the brand and application: 100%CO2, 80-95%Ar/bal.CO2, and 95-98%Ar/bal.O2. TG wires use a pure Ar
gas for shielding.
4. Brands symbolized with MF are fused-type SAW fluxes, whereas those indicated with PF are bonded-type fluxes for SAW.

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PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

&0&E7*6&E&0%&0%7*6%
$(* $(56* $(% $(% $(56%

Advanced 9Cr filler metals in welding power boilers

and oil refinery machinery

How advanced 9Cr filler metals help Among power boilers, supercritical pressure boil-
innovate power boilers ers are operated at high temperatures (e.g. 538°C)
and high pressures (e.g. 24.1 MPa). Ultra-super-
Steam boilers (Figure 1) produce high-temperature critical (USC) pressure boilers are operated at even
high-pressure steam by heating pressurized water higher steam temperatures (e.g. 593°C) and pres-
contained in hermetically sealed vessels through sures (e.g. 31.4 MPa). Steam temperature and pres-
combustion of such fuels as coal, LNG, and oil. sure are apt to be higher for more efficient power
Steam boilers are widely used for such various generation for the future.
applications as power plants, ships, steel mills, tex-
tile processes, chemical processes, and oil refiner- As a factor in the technology of advanced power
ies. boilers, modified 9Cr-1Mo steel (9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb)
is highlighted due to its superior high temperature
performance relative to conventional 9Cr-1Mo
steel and Type 304 stainless steel. That is, 9Cr-
1Mo-V-Nb steel can be used with a higher allow-
able stress in comparison with 9Cr-1Mo and, up to
600°C, in comparison with Type 304, as shown in
Figure 2.

150

Mod. 9Cr-1Mo
(9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb)
2.25Cr-1Mo
M a x im un a llowa ble s tres s (M P a )

100

Figure 1: A coal-fired steam boiler consisting of the sophisti-

9Cr-1Mo
cated piping system fabricated with tens of thousands of
tubes and pipes made from carbon steel, Cr-Mo steel, and
50 Type 304
stainless steel.

Steam boilers, also known as power boilers, used

in power plants generate high-temperature high-
pressure steam for better power generation effi-
ciency. The steam temperatures and pressures of 0
coal-fired power boilers have been increasing to 400 450 500 550 600 650 700
Metal temperature (℃)
improve thermal efficiency. As the efficiency
becomes higher, the consumption of fuels for gen- Figure 2: A comparison between 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb and other
steels on the maximum allowable stress for high-temperature
erating unit electrical power can be decreased, equipment over a range of metal temperatures.
thereby helping to combat global warming.

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PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

The use of 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel is expanding for CM-9Cb and TG-S9Cb: unmatched
ultra-supercritical pressure boilers. With ferritic filler metals for ultra-supercritical
9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel, the countermeasures (e.g. pressure boilers
use of expansion joints) to release thermal stresses
in the tube bundle structures of steam boilers can In the early 1980’s when the research and develop-
be lessened than with austenitic Type 304, because ment of coal-fired, ultra-supercritical pressure
the thermal expansion and contraction of ferritic boilers began among the leading steel producers
9Cr steels are less. The thermal stresses are raised and boiler fabricators in Japan, Kobe Steel devel-
by the thermal cycle during operation accompa- oped suitable filler metals for the modified 9Cr-
nied by the fluctuation of power generation in a 1Mo steel.
day.
This advanced steel is alloyed with considerable
amounts of vanadium, niobium and nitrogen in
How to select suitable Kobelco addition to chromium and molybdenum to improve
advanced 9Cr filler metals that elevated-temperature strength. However, filler
match the base metal metals, inherently, cannot accommodate as much
niobium and nitrogen as contained in the steel
Table 1 is a quick guide to suitable filler metals for because such elements result in poor weldability.
shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and gas tung- This is why CM-9Cb and TG-S9Cb have unique
sten arc welding (GTAW) of 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb chemical compositions that provide good perfor-
steels. The base metal grades are in accordance mance in mechanical properties and welding work-
with the ASTM standard but this guidance can also ability in out-of-position welding. Table 2 shows
be used for other equivalent base metal grades per the typical chemical compositions of these filler
other national standards. metals, in comparison with the chemical require-
ments for a 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel tube of ASTM
Table 1: A quick guide to matching filler metals for the 9Cr- A213 T91.
1Mo-V-Nb base metal grades

Grade of steel (ASTM)

SMAW GTAW Table 2: Typical chemical compositions of CM-9Cb and TG-
(AWS A5.5) (AWS A5.28) S9Cb weld metals in comparison with the A213 T91 tube
Plate Tube/Pipe Forging
chemistry range (%)

Trade desig. CM-9Cb TG-S9Cb

CM-9Cb TG-S9Cb ASTM
A199Gr. T91 (E9016-G) (ER90S-G) Polarity AC DC-EN A213 T91
A387
A213Gr. T91 A182Gr.F91
Gr.91
A234Gr.WP91 A336Gr.F91 CM-96B9 C (%) 0.06 0.07 0.08-0.12
Cl.2
A335Gr. P91 (E9016-B9) TG-S90B9
Mn (%) 1.51 0.99 0.30-0.60
CM-95B9 (ER90S-B9)
(E9015-B9) Si (%) 0.31 0.16 0.20-0.50

P (%) 0.006 0.008 0.020 max

There are two choices for 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel. S (%) 0.003 0.006 0.010 max
One is the Kobelco original type (CM-9Cb, TG-
Cr (%) 9.11 8.97 8.00-9.50
S9Cb), which satisfies the mechanical properties
requirement of the AWS standard but its chemical Mo (%) 1.06 0.90 0.85-1.05

composition is unique and it has been used for Ni (%) 0.94 0.68 0.40 max
many ultra-supercritical pressure boilers fabricated V (%) 0.18 0.18 0.18-0.25
by Japanese manufacturers. The other one is the
Nb (%) 0.03 0.04 0.06-0.1
AWS type (CM-96B9, CM-95B9, TG-S90B9),
N (%) 0.030 0.022 0.030-0.070
which has been developed by modifying the origi-
nal type so as to conform with both the mechanical Al (%) - - 0.04 max

and chemical requirements of the AWS standard,

taking into account the usual requirements of inter-
national customers.

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PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

Plot mark PWHT

730℃×4h
750℃×5h
300

200

mm
s s (N /(M
S treStress Pa)2 )
M in im u m o f
Figure 3: CM-9Cb deposits homogeneous microstructure M o d . 9 C r- 1 M o s te e l
consisting of tempered martensite with the absence of polyg- 100 (O R N L )
onal ferrite after PWHT (750°C × 5h), exhibiting a dendritic 90
zone (left) and a pass-to-pass tempered zone (right). 80
70
60
Simple alloying of conventional 9Cr-1Mo filler
metal with vanadium and niobium creates a hetero- 50 1
10 102 103 104
geneous microstructure consisting of coarse, R u p t u r e t im e (h )
polygonal ferrite precipitates in the martensitic
matrix, thereby decreasing strength and impact Figure 5: Creep rupture strength of CM-9Cb (4Ø) weld metal
in the flat position, satisfying the minimum rupture strength of
toughness. However, CM-9Cb and TG-S9Cb offer modified 9Cr-1Mo steel.
fine, homogeneous microstructures (Figure 3) cre-
ated by the elaborate chemical compositions. Typical applications for CM-9Cb and TG-S9Cb
are girth welding of superheater tubes, reheater
tubes and steam headers of USC boilers that are
PWHT TS 0.2% OS operated in the hard steam conditions (e.g. 593°C
750℃×1h × 31.4 MPa). Therefore, strength at elevated tem-
750℃×5h
peratures is the key property of this kind of filler
750℃×15h
500 metals. Figures 4 and 5 show high-temperature
strength and creep rupture strength of CM-9Cb
450 weld metal, respectively. These figures verify that
(N / m) m 2 )

400 CM-9Cb satisfies the minimum yield strength, ten-

sile strength and rupture strength of modified 9Cr-
％% POSS aanndd TTSS (MPa

350 1Mo steel.

300 M o d . 9 C r- 1 M o
M in . T S
250 (O R N L ) CM-96B9, CM-95B9 and TG-S90B9:
AWS class filler metals for
0 .20 .2

200 international applications

M o d . 9 C r- 1 M o
M in . Y S
150 (O R N L ) These new filler metals have been developed by
modifying the chemical composition of CM-9Cb
100
500 550 600 650 700 and TG-S9Cb to make it easier for international
T e s t in g t e m p e r a t u r e (℃ ) customers to select a suitable filler metal per the
Figure 4: High-temperature strength of CM-9Cb (4Ø) weld
AWS chemical requirement designation (B9) for
metal in the flat position, satisfying the minimum strength of 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel. The welding usability,
modified 9Cr-1Mo steel within the given PWHT conditions. mechanical properties and crack resistibility of
these new filler metals are comparable to the
Kobelco original ones. Table 3 shows typical
chemical compositions of SMAW filler metals
(CM-96B9 for AC or DCEP; CM-95B9 for DCEP)

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PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

and the relevant AWS A5.5 requirements. A isfy the AWS requirements. In addition, Figures 6
GTAW filler metal of TG-S90B9 features elabo- and 7 verify that both SMAW and GTAW filler
rate chemical composition in conformity with the metals fulfill the ASTM requirements for A335 Gr.
AWS A5.28 requirements, as shown in Table 4. P91 even in the stricter condition of PWHT with a
longer soaking time.
Table 3: Typical chemical compositions of CM-96B9 and CM-
95B9 weld metals in comparison with the relevant AWS Table 5: Room temperature tensile test results of CM-96B9
requirement (%) and CM-95B (5Ø, DC-EP) as well as TG-S90B9 (1.2Ø, DC-
AWS A5.5-2006 EN) weld metals in the flat position in comparison with the
Trade desig. CM-96B9 CM-95B9
E9016-B9, E9015-B9 AWS requirements
C (%) 0.10 0.10 0.08-0.13 Temper 0.2%
PWHT OS TS El
Trade desig. parameter 1
Mn (%) 0.85 0.84 1.20 max (°C × h) (MPa) (%)
(MPa)
Si (%) 0.19 0.22 0.30 max 745 × 1 20.36 695 814 20
P (%) 0.007 0.007 0.01 max
CM-96B9 760 × 2 20.97 658 771 21
S (%) 0.004 0.002 0.01 max
775 × 6 21.78 550 701 29
Cu (%) 0.03 0.02 0.25 max
Ni (%) 0.52 0.51 1.0 max 760 × 2 20.97 622 757 22
CM-95B9
Cr (%) 9.01 8.94 8.0-10.5 780 × 2 21.38 581 724 24
Mo (%) 1.05 1.02 0.85-1.20
745 × 1 20.36 756 852 21
V (%) 0.24 0.23 0.15-0.30
Nb (%) 0.04 0.04 0.02-0.07 TG-S90B9 760 × 2 20.97 706 809 22

Al (%) 0.002 0.002 0.04 max 775 × 6 21.78 631 744 26

N (%) 0.038 0.039 0.02-0.07 AWS A5.5
E9016-B9 530 620 17
760 × 2 20.97
Mn+Ni (%) 1.37 1.35 1.50 max min. min. min.
E9015-B9 2
E9016-B9: AC/DCEP AWS A5.28 410 620 16
Polarity DCEP DCEP 760 × 2 20.97
E9015-B9: DCEP ER90S-B9 2 min. min. min.

1. Temper parameter = T(20 + log t) × 10-3.

2. AWS 5.5-2006 and AWS A5.28-2005.
Table 4: Typical chemical composition of TG-S90B9 filler wire
in comparison with the relevant AWS requirements.
AWS A5.28-2005
Trade designation TG-S90B9
ER90S-B9
C (%) 0.11 0.07-0.13
Mn (%) 0.69 1.20 max
Si (%) 0.24 0.15-0.50

P (%) 0.004 0.010 max

S (%) 0.004 0.010 max
26DQG7603D

Cu (%) 0.01 0.20 max

Ni (%) 0.53 0.80 max
Cr (%) 8.91 8.00-10.50
03D0LQ76
Mo (%) 0.94 0.85-1.20
RI$*U3
V (%) 0.23 0.15-0.30

Nb (%) 0.05 0.02-0.10
03D0LQ26 26
76
Al (%) 0.003 0.04 max RI$*U3
26
76
N (%) 0.042 0.03-0.07

Mn+Ni (%) 1.22 1.50 max
7HPSHU3DUDPHWHU 7ORJWî

Figure 6: Tensile properties of CM-96B9 weld metal as a

Table 5 shows the tensile properties of CM-96B9, function of temper parameter where T is PWHT temp. in K
CM-95B9 and TG-S90B9 weld metals, which sat- and t is soaking time in hours.

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PRODUCTS SPOTLIGHT KOBELCO WELDING TODAY

(2) Preventing hot or solidification cracks:

Kobelco 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb filler metals contain
phosphorous and sulfur at quite low levels and suf-

ficient manganese to minimize the susceptibility to

hot cracking or solidification cracking. However,
26DQG7603D

9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb weld metals are inherently suscep-

tible to hot cracking. Small diameter tubes having

thin sections also sometimes suffer from hot cracks

03D0LQ76
in the weld. Therefore, excessively high welding

RI$*U3 currents should be avoided.


26
76
(3) Proper PWHT temperature:
03D0LQ26
RI$*U3 26
76

PWHT temperature is a key factor to control the
quality of welds. ASME Sec. 8 Div. 1, for instance,
7HPSHU3DUDPHWHU 7ORJWî specifies a minimum PWHT temperature of 704°C
for 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel (e.g. A213 T91). How-
Figure 7: Tensile properties of TG-S90B9 weld metal as a ever, for better quality in ductility and toughness of
function of temper parameter.
weld metal, the range 710-780°C is recommended
for filler metals discussed in this article.
Tips for successful welding of
modified 9Cr steel

(1) Remedies to cold or delayed cracks:

9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel has higher self-hardenability

relative to such Cr-Mo steels as 2.25Cr-1Mo,
1.25Cr-0.5Mo, and 0.5Mo. Therefore, preventive
measures against cold cracking or delayed crack-
ing must be stricter. The most effective measures
are preheating the work by 250-350°C and main-
taining the work at this temperature during weld-
ing until starting PWHT. These measures can
reduce the cooling rate of the weld to decrease the
hardness of the weld and to promote hydrogen dif-
9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb steel is often used for super heater tubes,
fusion from the weld, thereby preventing cold reheater tubes and steam headers of coal-fired steam boilers
cracking. in the trend of higher steam conditions (Photo courtesy:
Nagasaki Kogyosho Co., Ltd., Japan).

In cases where the postweld work has to be cooled

to room temperature for nondestructive examina-
tion before PWHT, the work should first be heated
at temperatures between 250-300°C for 30-60 min-
utes immediately after welding to remove the dif-
fusible hydrogen from the weld and prevent
delayed cracking.

SMAW covered electrodes should be redried at

325-375°C for 1 hour before use to remove
absorbed moisture, the source of diffusible hydro-
gen.

24