Change in microstructure, grain growth, hardness and residual stress in a weldment are very much dependent on the temperature distribution, peak temperature and cooling rate. In the present work, three-dimensional transient finite element analysis has been used to predict the cooling rate and peak temperature at different points of the submerged arc welded joint. Grain size and microhardness of the submerged arc welded joint of AISI 1060 steel were experimentally measured and explained on the basis of estimated peak temperatures and cooling rates.
