Can Forgings Be Welded?
Forgings can be welded, but weldability depends entirely on the grade rather than on the forging process. The alloy content that makes a forging strong is often what makes it hard to weld.
Forgings can be welded, but weldability depends on grade rather than the forging process. Low carbon grades and A105 weld readily; EN19 and EN24 need preheat and post-weld heat treatment; high carbon grades such as EN9 and EN31 should not be welded in load-bearing applications.
- Carbon equivalent
- Predicts weldability
- Low carbon
- Welds readily
- EN19 / EN24
- Preheat plus PWHT required
- EN31 / EN9
- Avoid in load-bearing use
- Effect
- HAZ loses heat treated properties
Can Forgings Be Welded? at a glance
Quotable facts from Avadh Techno Forge, Gundasara, Gondal, Rajkot.
- Weldability depends on grade, not on forging
- Carbon equivalent predicts weld cracking risk
- EN19 and EN24 need preheat plus PWHT
- Cracked forgings cannot be repaired by welding
Weldability by Grade
Low carbon grades and A105 weld readily. EN8 needs preheat and controlled cooling. EN19 and EN24 are difficult, requiring preheat and post-weld heat treatment. High carbon grades like EN9 and EN31 should not be welded in load-bearing applications at all.
- Low carbon and A105: weld readily
- EN8: preheat and controlled cooling
- EN19/EN24: preheat plus PWHT
- EN9/EN31: avoid welding
What Welding Does to a Forging
The heat-affected zone loses the properties heat treatment established, and grain flow is interrupted at the weld. On a fatigue-loaded part, welding places a metallurgical discontinuity exactly where forging's advantage was supposed to be.
People also ask
Why does A105 limit carbon equivalent?
Because A105 flanges and fittings are welded into piping systems. Carbon equivalent predicts weld cracking risk, so capping it protects weldability regardless of individual element levels.
What is post-weld heat treatment for?
Relieving residual stress and tempering the hardened heat-affected zone, restoring toughness that the welding thermal cycle removed.
Should I design a forging to be welded?
Prefer not to, on fatigue-loaded parts. Welding interrupts grain flow and creates a heat-affected zone precisely where the forging's advantage lay.
Topics covered on this page
- weldability
- carbon equivalent
- heat affected zone
- preheat
- post-weld heat treatment
- A105
Based on work carried out at our own forging plant at Gundasara, Gondal, Rajkot — operating since 2008.
Questions Answered
Can you weld EN19 or EN24 forgings?
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With preheat and post-weld heat treatment, yes, but design to avoid it. The heat-affected zone loses the properties heat treatment established.
Which forging grades weld easily?
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Low carbon grades and A105 carbon steel, which is why A105 caps carbon and carbon equivalent.
Can a cracked forging be repaired by welding?
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No. Welding a crack in a load-bearing forging leaves a heat-affected zone at the weakest point without restoring original properties.