A preliminary study of microstructure and properties of the welded joint of low activation CLF-1 steel used for fusion reactor and 316L dissimilar metal by tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding using W19123L as filler material, has been performed. The welded joint forming is proved well and without defect. The welded joint consists of CLF-1 zone [base metal (BM), heat affected zone (HAZ), fusion zone (FZ)], inside layer (IL), weld zone (WZ), and 316L zone (BM, HAZ, FZ). Tensile strength of the joint is better than the base metal minimum value in room temperature. Both surfaces of welded joint are without crack and with deformation uniformity under the bending test. The distribution of impact value of the joint is concave-like and satisfies the designed values for the welded joint, the WZ’s value is the lowest, the HAZ’s of both WZ zones is the second, the BM’s was the best, and the 316L steel zone’s is slightly larger than the CLF-1 zone’s. The hardness values of the point under the 1.6mm top surface of welded joint have a larger fluctuation range, and is slightly higher than those of 1/2T and above down surface 1.6mm position. The hardness distribution of 1/2T and above the down surface 1.6mm position is roughly uniform, and has a downward trend from the CLF-1 zone to 316L zone. Welding properties generally has remained stable and satisfy the requirement of dissimilar steel welding performance matching.
