scope:

The age-hardenable or precipitation-hardening alloys were designed to provide engineers with suitable materials for a wide range of products-from razor blades to space vehicles. This report summarizes the recommended procedures for welding these materials. Since the history and metallurgical condition of the material have been shown to be primary factors in the successful welding of the PH materials, a large portion of the discussion concerns itself with the metallurgical factors which are involved. This is especially true of the welding of the austenitic alloy steel A-286. Post-weld treatment is also extremely important in the consistent welding of salable hardware. Sound welds have been known to crack during heat treating and aging operations. For each material discussed, the report outlines a procedure which, if followed, results in the production of mechanically and radiographically acceptable weldments.