Abstract: On the basis of the fatigue tests of welded joints, a new method named LTTE(Low transformation temperature electrodes) weld toes dressing technology is first suggested to improve the fatigue performance of welded joints. No-load cruciform welded joints and longitudinal fillet welded joints, which are made of the base metal of Q235B and welded or dressed by both the developed LTTE and the conventional E5015, are selected to conduct fatigue test. The test results show that the LTTE-dressing technology can effectively improve the fatigue strengths of welded joints and the LTTE-dressing welded joints have the same improvement in fatigue strength as that of all-LTTE welded joints compared with those of welded joints welded with E5015. Its meanings in practice are that this way can reduce the LTTE costs in use and provide a valuable method for the application of the LTTE in practical welded structure widely.

Key words: Welded joints, Fatigue behavior, Low transformation temperature electrode, Weld toes dressing