High-nitrogen, high-manganese austenitic stainless steel XM-19 has been highlighted as a suitable material for next-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMR). However, studies on the weld soundness and reliability of this alloy remain insufficient. In p...
High-nitrogen, high-manganese austenitic stainless steel XM-19 has been highlighted as a suitable material for next-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMR). However, studies on the weld soundness and reliability of this alloy remain insufficient. In present study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of multi pass arc-welded joints in XM-19 were investigated using the GTAW and SMAW processes. Welding materials designed to promote the FA solidification mode and the F solidification mode, respectively, were applied to each welding process. The mechanical properties of the welds were evaluated through tensile and impact tests and discussed in relation to microstructural observations. The dilution rate of the base metal within individual weld beads was found to play a significant role in determining the local chemical composition, which in turn influenced the precipitation behavior of the sigma phase. In addition, the differences in hot-cracking behavior are attributed to variations in base-metal dilution and cooling rate among the welding processes, which directly influence the characteristics of the mushy zone and elemental segregation. Overall, this study provides fundamental insights into the relationship among welding processes, weld microstructure, and mechanical performance in XM-19 stainless steel, contributing to the establishment of reliable welding guidelines for SMR applications.