en Research Paper Research Paper The lean duplex stainless steels (LDSS) have excellent features due to the microstructural phase<br> combination of austenite and ferrite grains. These steels have low Ni and Mo contents which can reduce the cost<br> and stabilize the austenite fraction in the microstructure. In recent years, welding is used to enhance the<br> microstructural behaviour of LDSS. In this paper, Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) was performed on LDSS<br> S32101 with different heat energy inputs and varying welding currents. The influence of heat inputs (0.85 and 1.3<br> kJ/mm) on welded samples was investigated to study the microstructural behaviour, phase balance, and mechanical<br> & corrosion performance. The microstructures studies were carried out using an optical microscope, scanning<br> electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The effect of Heat input led to the significant microstructural evolution<br> in weld metals with high austenite reformation. The microstructure of weldments consisted of inter-granular<br> austenite (IGA), grain boundary austenite (GBA) and Widmanstatten austenite (WA). Important mechanical<br> properties such as tensile strength and micro-hardness were investigated to understand the performance of<br> weldments. The polarization method was used to understand the corrosion behaviour of weldment in a 3.5% NaCl<br> solution. The experimental results showed enhanced properties of welds that could be suitable for industrial<br> applications. Lean duplex stainless steel, LDSS 2101, Microstructure, Corrosion resistance, Mechanical properties 1 11 http://ijmse.iust.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-4487-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Sravanthi Gudikandula sravanthi.19phd7014@vitap.ac.in 1800319475328460016458 1800319475328460016458 No School of Mechanical Engineering, VIT University, India Ambuj Sharma ambujsharma08@gmail.com 1800319475328460016459 1800319475328460016459 Yes School of Mechanical Engineering, VIT University, India