Mechanical behavior of austenitic stainless-steel welds with variable content of δ-ferrite in the heat-affected zone

•Weldments between 304L SS with different δ-ferrite content in the HAZ were studied.•A FE model estimated was applied to simulate the thermo-mechanical welding field.•δ-ferrite content in the HAZ increased ductility of all weldments.•Grain growth affected the heat dissipation, distortion and tensile RS distributions.•Chromium carbides acted as stress raisers in the autogenous weld promoting the fracture.