2¼ Cr-1Mo steels have been used in power and chemical plants for elevated temperature high pressure components since the 1930's. Recent concerns involving the service of submerged arc (SA) welded steam piping has resulted in the inception of this study. Because welded piping may be either annealed and tempered (A&T), normalized and tempered (N&T) or subcritically postweld heat treated (PWHT), the aim of this study was the determination of the elevated temperature properties of 2 ¼ Cr - 1Mo weldments subjected to these heat treatments after welding.

The SA weldment fabricated for this study had a difference in chromium content (0.62%) between the base metal (2.07%) and weld metal (2.69%). The significance of this chromium difference was investigated in addition to the determination of stress rupture properties in the different heat treated conditions.