Comparison of creep rupture behaviour of type 316L(N) austenitic stainless steel joints welded by TIG and activated TIG welding processes

► In the present study, Creep rupture behaviour of 316L(N) base metal, and its weld joints were investigated at 923 K. ► Both the weld joints possessed lower creep rupture strength than the base metal. ► A-TIG joint had higher creep rupture strength than the MP-TIG joint. ► Minimum steady state creep rates of the base metal, A-TIG and MP-TIG weld joints were comparable. ► Reduced cavitation in A-TIG joint has been attributed to lower δ-ferrite content and lesser extent of strength heterogeneity. ► The columnar grains along the applied stress direction in weld metal leading to improvement in creep strength of A-TIG joint.