Methods for producing weld joints having thermally enhanced heat-affected-zones with excellent fracture toughness

Methods of welding two pieces of metal to produce a weld joint having excellent fracture toughness are provided. Two pieces of metal are positioned for welding so as to form a narrow weld groove having two sidewalls with bevel angles of less than about 10.degree.. Two or more layers are applied to the weld groove to produce the weld joint such that the heat-affected-zone of the weld joint is substantially free of rogue grains.