Abstract:
This invention relates to solid, bare, consumable wire electrodes for gas metal arc (GMA) welding of high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels. The electrodes require little or no preheat, interpass and post soak temperature controls. The invention also relates to the method of welding and weld deposits produced therefrom.

Description:
GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 
     The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Contract No. N00140-92-C-BC49 awarded by the U.S. Navy. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to consumable welding electrodes and is particularly directed to consumable, bare, solid-wire electrodes for gas metal arc (GMA) welding of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels; the method of welding such steels; and weld deposits produced therefrom. 
     Economical fabrication of Naval ship structures requires a new generation of solid wire electrodes for gas metal arc (GMA) welding of HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels. High yield (HY) and high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) type steels with a minimum yield strength of 80 or 100 ksi are used extensively in Naval ship construction. The HY steels were developed in the 1960&#39;s and exhibit a tempered martensitic microstructure. The HY-80 and HY-100 steels are characterized by a high carbon content ranging from about 0.12 to 0.20 wt. % (percent by weight). The high carbon content and martensitic microstructures of these steels require the application of preheat, interpass and occasionally post soak controls during welding to reduce the occurrence of hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) in the weld heat affected zone (HAZ). These additional operations increase fabrication cost, produce considerable production delays and increase welder discomfort. 
     As specified in MIL-E-23675/2E(SH), Military Specification: Electrodes and Rods--Welding, Bare, Solid, or Alloy Cored; and Fluxes, Low Alloy Steel, the MIL-100S and MIL-120S welding consumables used for joining HY-80 and HY-100 steels also exhibit a relatively high carbon content, in excess of 0.05 wt. %. Consequently, these welding consumables also require significant preheat to reduce the occurrence of HAC in the weld metal. Preheating of weldments adds significantly to construction costs. 
     HSLA steels were developed in an effort to reduce fabrication costs. In contrast to the HY steels, the HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels have low carbon content (0.07 wt. % maximum) and exhibit a ferritic and bainitic microstructure, respectively. These microstructures exhibit little or no susceptibility to HAC. Because of their low susceptibility to HAC, HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels require much less stringent preheating controls compared to the corresponding HY steels. 
     However, HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels are currently fabricated with the MIL-100S and MIL-120S solid wire electrodes used for GMA welding of HY-80 and HY-100 steels. Since the currently available MIL-100S and MIL-120S solid wire electrodes require preheat and interpass controls, and post soak temperate control for MIL-120S, their use precludes the full economic advantages of HSLA steels. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for consumable, bare, solid-wire electrodes for GMA welding of HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels, which can eliminate or reduce the need for preheat controls while meeting the mechanical property requirements of the existing MIL-100S and MIL-120S GMA welding consumable electrodes when welded over a broad range of weld energy inputs and cooling rates. Table I, below, shows mechanical property requirements for MIL-100S and MIL-120S electrodes. 
     
                       TABLE I______________________________________MIL-E-23765/2EMechanical Property RequirementsFor As-Welded GMA Welds                      Charpy V-notchYield Strength             Impact Toughness‡MIL-type   (ksi)      Elongation†                          at 0° F.                                at -60° F.______________________________________MIL-100S    82-100    16%         60 ft-lbs                                35 ft-lbsMIL-120S   102-123    15%         60 ft-lbs                                45 ft-lbs______________________________________ †Elongation in two (2) inches minimum gage length. ‡Minimum average. The average value of five tests must be equa to or greater than the minimum average specified. No two specimens can have values below the minimum average specified. One specimen can have a value of 10 ftlbs below the minimum average specified. 
    
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to consumable, bare, solid-wire electrodes for GMA welding of HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels, which can eliminate or reduce the need for preheat controls while meeting the mechanical property requirements of the existing MIL-100S and MIL-120S GMA welding consumable electrodes when welded over a broad range of weld energy inputs and cooling rates. The invention is also directed to the method of welding and weld deposits produced therefrom. 
     A composition having the features of the present invention is comprised of iron, manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, silicon, copper, vanadium, niobium, and boron. The amounts in percent by weight of carbon (C), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), silicon (Si), copper (Cu), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), and boron (B) satisfy the following three equations: 
     
         B.sub.50 (°C.)=770-(270×C)-(90×Mn)-(37×Ni)-(70×Cr)-(83×Mo)                                               1) 
    
     where B 50  is about 400° C. to 500° C.; 
     
         M.sub.S (°C.)=561-(474×C)-(33×Mn)-(17×Ni)-(17×Cr)-(21×Mo)                                               2) 
    
     where M S  is about 400° C. to 450° C.; 
     
         CEN=C+A(C)× Si/24+Mn/6+Cu/15+Ni/20+(Cr+Mo+V+Nb)/5+5B!3) 
    
     where A(C)=0.75+0.25 tanh  20×(C-0.12)!; and 
     where CEN is about 0.28 to 0.41. 
     The first equation relates the chemical composition to the B 50  temperature, i.e., the temperature at which 50% bainite transformation occurs. Bainite refers to a crystalline structure of considerable toughness, combining high strength with high ductility. The second equation relates the chemical composition to the M S  temperature, i.e., the temperature at which martensite transformation starts. Martensite refers to a very hard but brittle structure of iron and carbon. Desired ranges for B 50  and M S  temperatures are approximately 400° C. to 500° C. and 400° C. to 450° C., respectively. 
     Low-carbon bainitic steels exhibit high tensile strength (135 to 170 ksi range) and good impact toughness at low temperature. The carbon content of these steels typically ranges from 0.08 wt. % up to 0.17 wt. %. Irvine, K. J. and Pickering, F. B., &#34;Low-Carbon Bainitic Steels,&#34; Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute, 184 (12), pp. 292-309 (1957). These steels contain alloy additions which retard the transformation of austentite to high temperature (e.g., proeutectoid or blocky) ferrite, and facilitate the transformation to lower bainite. The alloy additions also suppress the martensite start (M S ) temperature. The M S  temperature of these steels is often well below their corresponding B 50  temperature (the temperature at which 50% bainite transformation occurs). The bainite transformation goes to completion at approximately 60° C. below the B 50  temperature. Steven, W. and Haynes, A. G., &#34;The Temperature of formation of Martensite and Bainite in Low-Alloy Steels,&#34; Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute, 183(8), pp. 349-359 (1956). The low-carbon bainitic steels exhibit a B 50  temperature in the range of 420° to 550° C. and their strength increases linearly with decrease in B 50  temperature. Leslie, W. C., The Physical Metallurgy of Steels, McGraw-Hill International Book Company, McGraw-Hill Kogakusha, Inc., Tokyo, Japan, pp. 201-205 (1981). 
     It was therefore discovered that welding electrodes designed to provide weld metal characterized by a B 50  temperature in the range of 400° to 500° C., and an M S  temperature below the B 50  temperature, exhibit high strength and acceptable Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact toughness. 
     The preheat, interpass and post soak controls necessary to minimize the susceptibility of structural steels to HAC can also be related to the chemical composition of the steels. The CEN equation relates the carbon equivalent number (CEN) to chemical composition. In general, an increase in the CEN increases the need for higher levels of preheat. The CEN may be expressed as a function of the carbon (C), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), silicon (Si), copper (Cu), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), and boron (B) content in weight percent. Thus, the CEN equation provides a means to assess the relative effects of different alloy elements on the need for preheat. Yurioka, N., Suzuki, H., Ohshita, S. and Saito, S., &#34;Determination of Necessary Preheating Temperature in Steel Welding,&#34; Welding Journal, 62(6), pp. 147s-153s (1983). 
     The CEN equation was used to assess the relative effects of different alloy elements on the need for preheat. The carbon content has the greatest effect on the CEN and a substantial reduction in weld metal carbon content is necessary to obtain significant reduction in preheat levels. To further reduce the CEN and the sensitivity of weld metals to preheat controls, it is desirable to limit the levels of elements with the highest coefficients in the CEN equation (e.g., boron, chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium) and increase the levels of elements with the lowest coefficients in the CEN equation (e.g., silicon, nickel, copper and manganese). Since copper and silicon contribute relatively little to strengthening, and excessive additions may promote fusion zone solidification cracking if the weld metal undergoes primary austentitic type solidification, it is preferable that a substantial reduction in carbon content is compensated with appropriate increases in nickel and manganese contents to achieve adequate strength and toughness without impairing the sensitivity to preheat. 
     Furthermore, oxides and nitrides generally decrease weld-metal ductility and sometimes strength, and may prevent fusion. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize combined oxygen and nitrogen content. 
     Thus, this metallurgical approach for formulating the chemical composition of solid wire electrodes for GMA welding of HSLA steels relates the strength and toughness properties of advanced filler wire systems with the following metallurgical criteria: B 50  temperature (the temperature at which 50% bainite transformation occurs), M S  temperature (the temperature at which martensite transformation starts), and combined oxygen and nitrogen content. The approach also relates the need to eliminate or reduce preheat, interpass, and post soak temperature controls with the carbon equivalent number, CEN. 
     Another aspect of this invention is the method of arc welding using the advanced consumable electrodes and weld metals produced therefrom. The method of arc welding is the GMA welding process. The GMA welding process is an electric arc welding process which produces coalescence of metals by heating them with an electric arc established between a consumable metal electrode and a workpiece. A continuously-fed consumable electrode is guided through and maintains contact with a contact tube which also acts to transfer current to the electrode. Gas shielding with a principally inert gas atmosphere serves to exclude oxygen and nitrogen of the air from the arc and metal, thus reducing the formation of oxides and nitrides. In general, oxides and nitrides decrease weld-metal ductility and sometimes strength, and may prevent fusion. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The following metallurgical criteria for weld metal are used in formulatingthe chemical composition of solid wire electrodes to meet the strength and toughness requirements of MIL-100S and MIL-120S electrodes, as well as exhibit a reduced sensitivity to preheat: 
     (1) a CEN ranging from 0.28 to 0.41; 
     (2) a B 50  temperature ranging from about 400° C. to 500°C.; 
     (3) an M S  temperature less than the corresponding B 50  temperature; and 
     (4) a combined oxygen and nitrogen content preferably below 550 ppm. 
     The gas content is controlled initially through producing melts for wire electrodes using vacuum induction melting practices and subsequently through the application of suitable welding conditions, e.g., a principally inert gas atmosphere. The metallurgical criteria for weld metal chemistry are met through a judicious selection of the chemistry of solid wire electrodes. 
     For example, in selecting the weld metal chemistry, one could remove chromium and significantly reduce the carbon content in the wire electrode, and thereby reduce the CEN, and substantially minimize the needfor preheat controls. These losses in alloy content could be compensated with appropriate increases in nickel and manganese content of the wire electrode to meet the B 50  and M S  criteria, and thereby achieve adequate strength and toughness in the weld metal without impairing its sensitivity to preheat. In contrast, substituting molybdenum in the place of carbon is likely to provide only a minimal decrease in CEN, while substantial additions of molybdenum to reduce CEN may not allow one to meet the B 50  and M S  criteria. 
     Ten compositions of solid wire electrodes were prepared. Eight of the ten compositions were based on a 2 3  factorial design, with one low and another high level for manganese (approximately 1.5 wt. % and 1.8 wt. %), nickel (approximately 2.4 wt. % and 3.8 wt. %) and molybdenum (approximately 0.5 wt. % and 1.0 wt. %). One additional wire composition represented the mid-level for manganese (approximately 1.65 wt. %), nickel(approximately 3.1 wt. %) and molybdenum (approximately 0.75 wt. %). Another included the addition of copper (approximately 0.2 wt. %) and boron (approximately 0.005 wt. %) to the mid-level wire. The copper addition was used to obtain precipitation strengthening and the boron addition was made to retard the transformation of austentite to high temperature ferrite. The compositions also included approximately 0.03 wt.% titanium as a deoxidizer, grain refiner and &#34;nitrogen getter.&#34; Since HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels exhibit a higher nickel content than manganesecontent, the wire formulations used higher nickel content, and a relativelylower manganese content in order to minimize difficulties that could possibly occur due to base metal dilution effects. 
     The actual chemical compositions of the solid wire electrodes were also adjusted using appropriate delta quantities (see Oldland, P. T., Ramsay, C. W., Matlock, D. K. and Olsen, D. L., &#34;Significant Features of High-Strength Steel Weld Metal Microstructures,&#34; Welding Journal, 68(4), pp. 158s-168s, for a description of delta quantities) to compensate for the loss of alloying elements across the arc column. In GMA welding, the delta quantities of alloy elements vary with alloy element, shielding gas type, flow rate and weld energy input. 
     Ingots were produced using the vacuum induction melting (VIM) practice. TheVIM practice was employed to allow strict control over hydrogen, oxygen andnitrogen of the ingots. Careful selection of raw materials and vacuum processing were employed to control residual elements such as sulfur and phosphorous. The VIM ingots were subsequently hot-rolled and drawn into 0.0625 in. diameter solid wire electrodes. The wire drawing operation encountered a marginal increase in wear loss in the drawing dies, comparedto conventional high strength steel wire electrodes. An 80% yield was obtained from the starting quantity to the final finish quantity. The solid wire electrodes showed acceptable cast and pitch (helix). Table II, below, shows the chemical compositions of the ingots. Table III, below, shows the metallurgical characteristics of the solid wire electrodes. 
     Three weldments were produced in 1 inch thick HSLA-100 steel plate using a stringer bead, multi-pass GMA welding technique and each of the experimental wire electrodes. The three weldments are designated series A,B and C. The GMA welding procedure employed a single-vee joint preparation with a 45° included angle, a 1/2 inch root opening with a 1/2 inch thick strip permanent backing bar and 0.0625 inch diameter solid wire electrodes. The weld test assemblies typically measured 1 inch×36 inches×36 inches in size. The weldments were produced in the flat position and with nominal restraint. 
     
                                           TABLE II__________________________________________________________________________Chemical Composition of Solid Wire ElectrodesWire#  C  Mn Si Cr Ni Mo Ti Cu B   V  S   P  N  O H__________________________________________________________________________1  0.027 1.51    0.34       0.02          2.52             0.52                0.033                   0.001                      0.001                          0.001                             0.0019                                 0.001                                    6  69                                         2.112  0.028 1.49    0.37       0.01          2.38             0.99                0.031                   0.001                      0.001                          0.001                             0.0018                                 0.001                                    9  47                                         1.513  0.028 1.54    0.34       0.01          3.78             0.52                0.028                   0.001                      0.001                          0.001                             0.0018                                 0.001                                    10 52                                         2.134  0.029 1.50    0.35       0.01          3.73             0.98                0.030                   0.001                      0.001                          0.002                             0.0018                                 0.001                                    6  78                                         1.465  0.030 1.82    0.34       0.01          2.37             0.52                0.029                   0.001                      0.001                          0.003                             0.0020                                 0.001                                    6  76                                         1.636  0.029 1.82    0.35       0.01          2.38             0.98                0.029                   0.001                      0.001                          0.003                             0.0021                                 0.001                                    7  66                                         1.157  0.026 1.82    0.35       0.01          3.77             0.51                0.027                   0.001                      0.001                          0.002                             0.0022                                 0.001                                    6  64                                         1.798  0.030 1.80    0.33       0.01          3.72             0.99                0.025                   0.001                       0.0003                          0.003                             0.0019                                 0.001                                    4  82                                         1.239  0.028 1.66    0.33       0.01          3.04             0.76                0.025                   0.001                      0.001                          0.002                             0.0023                                 0.001                                    5  53                                         2.3510 0.028 1.68    0.34       0.01          3.09             0.76                0.025                   0.20                       0.0057                          0.003                             0.0022                                 0.001                                    6  80                                         1.55__________________________________________________________________________Chemical compositions determined from VIM ingots. Values expressed in wt %The balance is essentially iron. N, O, and H values were determined from the solid wire electrodes; N and O contents expressed in ppm; H content expressed in mL/100 g; wire size 0.0625 in. The wire electrodes were produced via hotrolling followed by wiredrawing. 
    
     
                       TABLE III______________________________________Metallurgical Characteristicsof Solid Wire ElectrodesWire #  CEN    B.sub.50 (°C.)                       M.sub.S (°C.)                              O + N (ppm)______________________________________1       .29    489          444    752       .33    457          437    563       .32    440          422    624       .36    407          414    845       .31    467          435    826       .36    428          426    737       .34    417          414    708       .39    379          403    869       .34    437          425    5810      .36    433          424    86______________________________________ 
    
     Table IV, below, shows the GMA welding schedules used to produce the demonstration weldments. The same set of welding parameters were used to produce both the root passes and the fill passes in the A-series welds (55kJ/in energy input). The root passes of the B- and C-series welds were produced using 35 kJ/in energy input, while 110 kJ/in energy input was used to produce the fill passes. In general, the GMA welding conditions closely simulated typical shipyard fabricating conditions. These included protective shielding of the weld metal using a principally inert shieldinggas (95% Ar-5% CO 2 ) at 35 CFH flow rate, and 3/4 to 1 inch stick-out. The stringer bead, multi-pass welding technique used 10°-15°torch lag angle to effectively tie-in the weld passes and to produce a desirable overlap between individual weld beads. The cooling rate at 1000° F. of each of the demonstration weldments was measured by plunging a Pt/Pt-Rh thermocouple into the trailing edge of the weld pool of a fill pass at plate mid-thickness. Consistent with acceptable cast andpitch, all of the experimental wires showed good feeding behavior and minimal weld splatter, which resulted in excellent bead characteristics. 
     Weld metal tensile tests and weld metal CVN impact tests (at 0° F. and -60° F.) were performed per MIL-STD-248 using appropriate test specimens. The test results, which include yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), the percent elongation at failure (EL), the percent reduction of area at failure (RA), and CVN impact results, are summarized in Table V, below. 
     
                                           TABLE IV__________________________________________________________________________GMA Welding Schedule for HSLA-100 Steel Plate        Wire Weld    Preheat/                          Measured        Feed Travel                 Energy                     Interpass                          Weld CoolingWeld    Voltage    Current        Rate Rate                 Input                     Temp Rate @ 1000° F.Series    (Volts)    (Amps)        (ipm)             (ipm)                 (kJ/in)                     (°F.)                          (°F/s)__________________________________________________________________________A   27   31  16   9    55 60/125                          42-44B   28   34  19   5   110 60/125                          23-24C   28   34  19   5   110 275/300                          10.8-11.5Root    25   28  16   12   35 60/125                          --Pass                      or                     275/300__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE V______________________________________Mechanical Property Test Results of GMA WeldsTensile Test †     CVN Impact Test ††Weld  YS     UTS      EL   RA     @ -60° F.                                    @ 0° F.#     (ksi)  (ksi)    (%)  (%)    (ft-lbs)                                    (ft-lbs)______________________________________ 1A   88.6   102.5    24.0 72.2   44.8   107.4 1B   87.5   99.2     24.5 72.5   73.0   111.6 1C   81.8   96.3     26.5 71.6   51.5   90.8 2A   108.4  116.2    21.4 70.4   60.7   98.6 2B   95.1   108.6    23.5 69.2   26.2*  72.8 2C   88.5   107.4    24.5 71.0   25.2*  66.2 3A   105.7  114.6    22.0 68.9   74.6   102.0 3B   92.6   105.1    23.5 70.9   73.2   112.0 3C   88.3   102.8    24.3 70.6   49.0   95.0 4A   118.3  127.6    20.5 66.7   48.4   74.0 4B   104.4  118.1    22.0 66.4   68.6   90.8 4C   102.2  120.7    21.5 67.4   47.4   89.2 5A   93.8   103.9    23.0 70.2   68.4   108.2 5B   85.6   100.4    25.8 71.0   51.6   98.8 5C   80.2   98.2     24.8 70.3   45.7   100.0 6A   113.3  122.4    21.5 66.8   52.7   76.4 6B   98.5   113.6    23.0 68.4   46.3   90.6 6C   95.9   112.0    24.3 68.6   38.2   99.6 7A   107.2  116.7    20.5 67.4   69.2   89.4 7B   96.2   109.6    23.0 69.3   88.4   109.4 7C   88.3   108.0    24.8 69.1   67.8   107.4 8A   121.2  132.8    20.8 64.9   54.8   75.4 8B   107.3  125.2    21.5 65.5   62.4   95.8 8C   108.2  122.2    23.5 66.4   54.2   86.4 9A   104.5  113.6    21.8 66.2   47.4   77.2 9B   97.6   109.6    23.0 67.3   50.3   89.8 9C   90.6   106.8    24.8 68.4   45.8   84.610A   113.5  122.2    21.0 64.8   10.9   24.010B   103.5  116.7    22.0 67.4   38.6   76.010C   98.1   114.1    23.8 67.6   32.7   85.4______________________________________ † Average of two test results; †† Average of five test results. *Visual examination showed weld defects in CVN specimens. YS Yield strength determined from 0.2% strain. 
    
     The tests showed the weld metals produced using solid wire electrodes 3, 4 and 7 to meet the mechanical property requirements of MIL-100S, and match/overmatch the yield strength of HSLA-80 steel, and undermatch the yield strength of HSLA-100 steel. Additionally, weld metals produced using the wire electrodes 4 and 8 were found to meet the mechanical property requirements of MIL-120S, and match/overmatch the yield strength of HSLA-100 steel under all three welding conditions. The CVN impact toughness at 0° F. showed higher values for the B series welds, followed by the C series and the A series (except weld 3A). 
     Table VI shows the chemical composition of the GMA weld metals. Analyses of the weld metal chemical composition showed an increase in the levels of carbon, chromium, copper and niobium in the weld metal with increasing energy input. Increases in energy input also resulted in a decrease in the levels of silicon and manganese in the weld metal but did not show an appreciable variation in the nickel and molybdenum contents. 
     Table VII shows the metallurgical characteristics of the above GMA weld metals. Excepting weld 8A, all weld metals showed a higher B 50  temperature than the corresponding M S  temperature. Weld metals meeting the mechanical property requirements of MIL-100S exhibit a CEN ranging from 0.33 to 0.38, a B 50  temperature ranging from 417° C. to 461° C. and an M S  temperature ranging from 410° C. to 423° C. Weld metals meeting the mechanical property requirements of MIL-120S exhibit a CEN ranging from 0.37 to 0.41, and B 50  and M S  temperatures ranging from 404° C. to 437° C. and 403° C. to 415° C., respectively. 
     The results reveal several general trends. First, yield strength of the weld metals increased with CEN. Second, for a given B 50  temperature, welds produced using higher cooling rates showed a higher strength. Third, for a given M S  temperature, welds produced using higher cooling rates showed a higher strength. Fourth, at a given CEN, the CVN impact toughness increased with increasing weld cooling rates. Fifth, a comparison of the effects of oxygen content and nitrogen content of the weld metals on the CVN impact toughness at 0° F. and -60° F. indicated the beneficial effects of minimal amounts of oxygen and nitrogen on the CVN impact toughness. 
     
                                           TABLE VI__________________________________________________________________________Chemical Composition of GMA Weld Metals †Weld                                  O   N#  C  Mn Si Ni Cr Mo Ti Cu Nb B   V   (ppm)                                     (ppm)__________________________________________________________________________01A   0.034 1.22    0.28       2.73          0.12             0.49                0.010                   0.100                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 210 1601B   0.040 1.23    0.27       2.70          0.11             0.48                0.010                   0.12                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 190 2101C   0.035 1.26    0.28       2.67          0.09             0.48                0.009                   0.10                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 207 2202A   0.038 1.28    0.32       2.57          0.04             0.97                0.012                   0.093                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 167 1502B   0.042 1.22    0.28       2.66          0.07             1.01                0.009                   0.12                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 184 2102C   0.046 1.18    0.27       2.51          0.08             0.88                0.009                   0.17                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 194 1703A   0.045 1.31    0.26       3.77          0.05             0.49                0.011                   0.13                      0.01                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 200 1603B   0.046 1.22    0.27       3.76          0.12             0.48                0.008                   0.26                      0.012                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 204 1403C   0.051 1.15    0.26       3.83          0.13             0.49                0.008                   0.26                      0.012                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 214 1404A   0.046 1.36    0.33       3.78          0.04             0.91                0.013                   0.06                      0.01                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 198 1304B   0.054 1.14    0.27       3.69          0.11             0.86                0.008                   0.28                      0.013                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 201 1704C   0.051 1.18    0.27       3.70          0.09             0.86                0.008                   0.21                      0.012                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 190 3605A   0.032 1.56    0.27       2.44          0.04             0.46                0.01                   0.077                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 176 1105B   0.039 1.45    0.26       2.61          0.07             0.49                0.007                   0.15                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 180 1505C   0.035 1.46    0.25       2.54          0.06             0.48                0.006                   0.12                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 180 1606A   0.042 1.58    0.32       2.58          0.08             0.93                0.014                   0.13                      0.005                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 167 1806B   0.044 1.63    0.30       2.59          0.07             0.97                0.01                   0.09                      0.005                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 114 1606C   0.047 1.45    0.25       2.56          0.11             0.86                0.009                   0.22                      0.005                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 179 1607A   0.037 1.66    0.33       3.93          0.03             0.49                0.012                   0.06                      0.01                         0.0004                             &lt;0.005                                 174 1707B   0.041 1.60    0.28       3.75          0.08             0.49                0.006                   0.20                      0.012                         0.0004                             &lt;0.005                                 183  707C   0.045 1.55    0.29       3.83          0.07             0.48                0.007                   0.18                      0.011                         0.0004                             &lt;0.005                                 191 1208A   0.040 1.56    0.30       3.70          0.06             0.89                0.013                   0.08                      0.014                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 181 1108B   0.051 1.40    0.24       3.81          0.13             0.84                0.007                   0.26                      0.013                         0.0003                             &lt;0.005                                 199 1008C   0.053 1.5    0.27       3.70          0.16             0.83                0.009                   0.34                      0.015                         0.0004                             &lt;0.005                                 206 1509A   0.036 1.45    0.28       3.13          0.07             0.70                0.010                   0.10                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 213 1209B   0.039 1.33    0.23       3.10          0.09             0.67                0.008                   0.19                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 214 1309C   0.042 1.29    0.23       3.12          0.13             0.68                0.007                   0.18                      0.005                         0.0002                             &lt;0.005                                 210 1610A   0.033 1.46    0.30       3.25          0.05             0.71                0.013                   0.22                      0.005                         0.0050                             &lt;0.005                                 192 1110B   0.043 1.38    0.24       3.14          0.11             0.66                0.007                   0.34                      0.005                         0.0042                             &lt;0.005                                 120 1610C   0.036 1.35    0.27       3.16          0.10             0.67                0.009                   0.33                      0.005                         0.0041                             &lt;0.005                                 176 17__________________________________________________________________________ † Chemical composition expressed in wt %; O, and N contents expressed in ppm; average of three readings. The balance is iron. 
    
     
                       TABLE VII______________________________________Metallurgical Characteristics of GMA Weld MetalsWeld #   CEN    B.sub.50 (°C.)                       M.sub.S (°C.)                              O + N (ppm)______________________________________01A      0.28   501         446    22601B      0.29   501         444    21101C      0.28   502         446    22902A      0.33   466         436    18202B      0.34   462         433    20502C      0.33   480         438    21103A      0.33   456         421    21603B      0.33   460         423    21803C      0.34   461         421    22804A      0.38   417         410    21104B      0.38   437         415    21804C      0.37   435         415    22605A      0.29   490         443    18705B      0.30   487         439    19505C      0.29   491         442    19606A      0.36   438         424    18506B      0.37   430         421    13006C      0.36   453         427    19507A      0.35   422         411    19107B      0.35   430         413    19007C      0.35   432         412    20308A      0.38   404         408    19208B      0.40   410         406    20908C      0.41   404         403    22109A      0.33   451         427    22509B      0.33   463         430    22709C      0.34   462         429    22610A      0.35   447         426    20310B      0.35   456         426    13610C      0.34   459         430    193______________________________________ 
    
     The metallurgical characteristics of the GMA weld metals and the corresponding all-weld metal mechanical property test values confirm the validity and utility of the metallurgical criteria for designing solid wire electrodes. The criteria relates the strength and toughness requirements of wire electrodes with chemical composition. The criteria also relates the need for preheat/interpass/post soak temperature controls with the chemical composition. Solid wire electrodes and welding conditions that provided weld metals characterized by: (1) a CEN ranging from 0.33 to 0.41; (2) a B 50  temperature ranging from 404° C. to 461° C.; (3) an M S  temperature less than the B 50  temperature; and (4) minimal oxygen and nitrogen content, exhibited superior weld mechanical properties, including excellent low temperature toughness when welding HSLA steels over a range of weld energy input and preheat, and interpass temperature controls. 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible and the invention is not limited to the preferred versions, but may be variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.