Papers by Keyword: Coarse-Grained Heat-Affected Zone

Abstract: The effect of large heat inputs (200 kJ/cm) on the microstructures and toughness of heat-affected zone of Nb microalloyed X70 pipeline steels were simulated utilizing Gleeble-3800. The microstructures were observed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and electron backscattered diffraction technique. Results showed that when the large heat input welding was applied, big austenite grains and coarse microstructures were formed in the coarse-grained heat-affected zone, and thus the toughness of the coarse-grained heat-affected zone was seriously reduced. With the increase of Nb content, the toughness of the CGHAZ did not change remarkably under the large heat input welding.

Abstract: The effect of varying heat inputs (20, 100, 200 kJ/cm) on the microstructures and toughness of the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of a Nb-Ti microalloyed pipeline steel were investigated utilizing optical and electron microscope. Results showed that the impact toughness of the coarse-grained heat-affected zone maintained a higher level at the heat input of 20 and 100 kJ/cm, whereas it dropped to a much lower level at the heat input of 200 kJ/cm. The good toughness was attributed to the grain refinement and the homogenous distribution of fine and elongated martensite/austenite constituents. The deterioration of toughness for high heat input simulated welding was mainly caused by the coarse bainitic microstructure and massive martensite/austenite constituents.

Abstract: The effect of Nb microalloying on microstructure transformation of coarse-grained heat-affected zone of high strength low alloy steels were investigated utilizing different heat input welding simulation. For the low-Nb steel, the microstructures of coarse-grained heat-affected zone mainly consisted of acicular ferrite, bainite and grain boundary ferrite for small heat input welding; the amount of acicular ferrite decreased whereas grain boundary ferrite, polygonal ferrite and pearlite increased with increasing heat input. In constrast, for the high-Nb steel, granular bainite was the dominant microstructure. The formation of granular bainitic microstructure was associated with the solid solution of Nb, which suppressed ferrite transformation and promoted the formation of granular bainite. The hardness of coarse-grained heat-affected zone increased with increasing Nb content, and decreased with decreasing heat input, which was attributed to the microstructural change.