AMERICAN has utilized splice welding technology since the 40's to provide long length hydraulic cylinder barrels, shafts, roll bodies, pipe casting molds and a variety of other applications.

As speeds and quantity of cycles increased, design engineers became less reliant upon experience and more dependant upon quantitative data. In response to this need, AMERICAN contracted with an independent research institute for an investigation to determine weld area properties. Rotating beam fatigue tests confirmed that the endurance limits of the weld and heat affected zone (HAZ) exceeded that of the parent metal while providing good ductility and toughness.

The fatigue testing was performed on samples from parent metal of ASTM A27 Grade N-1, Class 1, which was submerged arc welded utilizing L-61 wire and 780 flux. S- N curves for the parent metal, HAZ and weld deposit are shown to the left. The endurance limits were found to be, as follows: