Control of the diffusible hydrogen content in different steel phases through the targeted use of different welding consumables in underwater wet welding

Abstract

Due to the rising number of offshore structures all over the world, underwater wet welding has become increasingly relevant, mainly as a repair method. Welding in direct contact with water involves numerous challenges. A topic focused by many studies is the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking in wet weldments due to hardness values of up to 500 HV 0.2 in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and high levels of diffusible hydrogen in the weld metal. The risk of cracking increases as the equivalent carbon content rises, because the potential to form martensitic structures within the HAZ rises too. Thus, high-strength steels are especially prone to hydrogen-induced cracking and are considered unsafe for underwater wet repair weldments.