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AASHTO/AWS D1.5:2025 · Table 12.6/12.7 · Fracture-Critical · H16

M270M Gr.345W Preheat — H16, Low HI, 20<t≤40 mm: 120°C

Fracture-critical preheat requirement for M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W at 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in thickness with H16 hydrogen designation, per AASHTO/AWS D1.5:2025, the Bridge Welding Code.

Built on AWS D1.5:2025 — every value traced to the clause.

Fracture-Critical Minimum Preheat & Interpass
250°F / 120°C
H16 hydrogen · 1.2 < HI ≤ 2.0 kJ/mm; 30 < HI ≤ 50 kJ/in heat input · 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in thickness
AASHTO/AWS D1.5M/D1.5:2025 Table 12.6/12.7
H16 designation: consumable deposits ≤ 16 mL/100g diffusible hydrogen per AWS A4.3. Lower hydrogen = lower preheat requirement.
Reference tool. Verify against project-applicable edition and Engineer-approved WPS.
AASHTO M270 Standard Grades

M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W

AASHTO M270M Gr.345W (M270 Gr.50W) is a weathering bridge steel that forms a protective oxide patina for unpainted bridge service. Copper-chromium-nickel alloying provides atmospheric corrosion resistance. Weld filler must match the weathering composition (the specified filler metal or equivalent) for exposed joints. NFC preheat per Table 6.3 Group 1; FC per Tables 12.6/12.7 which carry higher preheat than the non-weathering grades.

Why This Preheat

Understanding the FC Preheat for M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W

M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W. For H16 at 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in, the selected fracture-critical cell requires 250°F minimum preheat. Check the cell again if the thickness, hydrogen designation, or heat input changes.

Bridge Applications

Where M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W Is Used

Deployed in unpainted bridge plate girders across humid, coastal, and high-maintenance-cost environments. Weld filler must match the weathering composition (a specified weathering-match filler metal) for exposed joints to ensure the weld face develops the same protective oxide as the base metal. Conventional Gr.345W is being replaced by HPS345W in new designs due to superior weldability.

H16 Fabrication Detail

H16 Hydrogen Control for M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W

Weathering Gr.345W (50W) at H16 is used for field splices when self-shielded FCAW is the only practical process due to wind exposure on elevated bridge erection.

Thickness: 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in

Why Preheat Matters at 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in

The selected thickness interval is 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in. Use its own fracture-critical table row; non-fracture-critical thickness bands do not select this result. Table 12.6/12.7 requires a minimum preheat/interpass temperature of 250°F (120°C) for this combination. Apply the value for the selected hydrogen designation and heat input.

Fabrication Detail

M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W at 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in

At 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in, Gr.345W (50W) serves as the primary plate for unpainted bridge girder webs and connection plates. Weathering steel butt splices require the same CJP quality as painted Gr.345 but with compositional matching of the filler metal. Improper filler selection leaves a cosmetically distinct weld face that does not develop the same protective oxide, creating a maintenance concern on exposed bridges.

H16 Hydrogen Level

Preheat at H16 Designation

H16 consumables allow up to 16 mL of diffusible hydrogen per 100g — the highest level permitted for FC bridge welding. At 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in with 1.2 < HI ≤ 2.0 kJ/mm; 30 < HI ≤ 50 kJ/in heat input, the 250°F (120°C) preheat compensates for the higher hydrogen potential. Recheck the applicable table cell before changing the hydrogen designation.

Interactive Calculator

Try Different Combinations

Use the D1.5 Bridge Preheat Calculator to look up any AASHTO M270 steel, hydrogen level, and heat input combination. Also see the D1.1 Preheat Calculator for structural steel.

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FAQ
What is the FC preheat for M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W with H16 at 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in?
For fracture-critical M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W welded with H16-designated consumables at 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in thickness and 1.2 < HI ≤ 2.0 kJ/mm; 30 < HI ≤ 50 kJ/in heat input, the minimum preheat is 250°F (120°C) per D1.5 Table 12.6/12.7.
What is the difference between FC and NFC preheat for M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W?
Non-fracture-critical (Table 6.3) preheat is a simple thickness-based lookup. Fracture-critical (Tables 12.4–12.8) adds hydrogen level and heat input as variables, typically requiring higher preheat. For FC members, the hydrogen designator on the consumable classification directly determines the minimum preheat.
How does heat input affect preheat for FC M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W?
Higher heat input means slower cooling rates, giving hydrogen more time to diffuse out of the weld zone. At 30 < HI ≤ 50 kJ/in, the 250°F preheat balances the hydrogen level and cooling rate. Moving to a higher heat input band would typically reduce the required preheat for the same hydrogen level and thickness.
What temperature applies to M270M Gr.345W / M270 Gr.50W at 20 < t ≤ 40 mm; 3/4 < t ≤ 1-1/2 in?
Table 12.6/12.7 requires a minimum preheat/interpass temperature of 250°F (120°C) for this combination. Apply the value for the selected hydrogen designation and heat input.

D1.5:2025 reference data. Not affiliated with AWS or AASHTO.