In situ observation of austenite grain growth behavior in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of Ti-microalloyed steels

The austenite grain growth behavior in a simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone during thermal cycling was investigated via in situ observation. Austenite grains nucleated at ferrite grain boundaries and then grew in different directions through movement of grain boundaries into the ferrite phase. Subsequently, the adjacent austenite grains impinged against each other during the α→γtransformation. After the α→γ transformation, austenite grains coarsened via the coalescence of small grains and via boundary migration between grains. The growth process of austenite grains was a continuous process during heating, isothermal holding, and cooling in simulated thermal cycling. Abundant finely dispersed nanoscale TiN particles in a steel specimen containing 0.012wt% Ti effectively retarded the grain boundary migration, which resulted in refined austenite grains. When the Ti concentration in the steel was increased, the number of TiN particles de- creased and their size coarsened. The big particles were not effective in pinning the austenite grain boundary movement and resulted in coarse austenite grains.

EFFECT OF Zr ADDITION TO Ti-KILLED STEEL ON INCLUSION FORMATION AND MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION IN WELDING INDUCED COARSE-GRAINED HEAT AFFECTED ZONE

Effects of Zirconium on the chemical component and size distribution of Ti-bearing inclusions, favored the grain refinement of the welding reduced, coarse-grained heat affected zone （CGHAZ） with enhanced impact toughness in Ti-killed steels, which were examined based on experimental observations and thermodynamic calculations. It indicated that the chemical constituents of inclusions gradually varied from the TiO oxide to the Ti-O＋Zr-O compound oxide and a single phase of the ZrO2 oxide, as the Zr content increased from zero to 0.0100%. A trace of Zr （0.0030%-0.0080%, depending on the oxygen content in liquid steel） provided a large amount of nucleating core for Ti oxide because of the larger specific density of ZrO2 oxide, and produced a small size distribution of the inclusions favorable for acicular ferrite transformation with a high nucleation rate in the CGHAZ, and a high volume fraction of acicular ferrite was obtained in the CGHAZ, with enhanced impact toughness. Otherwise, a high content of Zr （-0.0100%） produced a single phase Zr02, which was impotent to nucleate acicular ferrite, and a microstructure composed of ferrite side plate and grain boundary ferrite developed in the CGHAZ. The experimental results were confirmed by thermodynamic calculations.

High-temperature creep properties of fine grained heat-affected zone in P92 weldment

The simulated fine grained heat-affected zone (FGHAZ) specimens for P92 welded joints were prepared by heat treatment, then the creep tests were carried out at 650 ℃ under the applied stress of 90-120 MPa to investigate high-temperature creep behavior of FGHAZ. The results show that the creep property of FGHAZ is much inferior to that of the base metal, which exhibits the much higher steady creep rate and shorter time to creep fracture. The power law equation can describe the steady creep rate dependence on applied stress, indicating that the stress exponent n of FGHAZ is distinguished between two regions with n=15.1 at high stresses (more than 100 MPa) and n=8.64 at lower stresses. Based on Monkman-Grant equation, the relationship between the secondary creep rate and time to rupture is obtained to evaluate the creep life of FGHAZ with the applied stress above 100 MPa.

Influence of the secondary welding thermal cycle on the microstructure and property of coarse grain heat-affected zone in an X100 pipeline steel

The influence of the secondary thermal cycle on the microstructure of coarse grain heat-affected zone in an XIO0 pipeline steel was investigated by means of a thermal simulation technique and microscopic analysis method. The property of coarse grain heat-affected zone was characterized by Charpy V-Notch impact properties testing. The results indicated that the experimental steel exhibited local brittleness of intercritically reheated coarse-grained heat-affected zone when the peak tempera- ture of secondary thermal cycle was in the range of two phases region （ ~ and 3/）. There were two main reasons for the local brittleness. The first was that the microstructures of intercritically reheated coarse-grained heat-affected zone were not fined although partial grain recrystallization occurred. The second was that M-A islands, which had the higher content, larger size and higher hardness, existed in intercritically reheated coarse-grained heat-affected zone.

Effect of welding parameters on the heat-affected zone of AISI409 ferritic stainless steel

One of the main problems during the welding of ferritic stainless steels is severe grain growth within the heat-affected zone （HAZ） In the present study, the microstmctural characteristics of tungsten inert gas （TIG） welded AISI409 ferritic stainless steel were investigated by electron backscattered diffraction （EBSD）, and the effects of welding parameters on the grain size, local misorientation, and low-angle grain boundaries were studied. A 3-D finite element model （FEM） was developed to predict the effects of welding parameters on the holding time of the HAZ above the critical temperature of grain growth. It is found that the base metal is not fully recrystallized. During the welding, complete recrystallization is followed by severe grain growth. A decrease in the number of low-angle grain boundaries is observed within the HAZ. FEM results show that the final state of residual sWains is caused by competition between welding plastic strains and their release by recrystallization. Still, the decisive factor for grain growth is heat input.

Study on local embrittlement of welding heat-affected zone in XSO pipeline steels

The relationship between the microstructure and toughness of welding heat-affected zone in XSO grade pipeline steels is studied. It is found that the intercritical reheated coarse-grained heat-affected zone （ICCGHAZ） of experimental steels has the lowest toughness values when the secondary peak temperature is at intercritical （ α ＋ γ ） region during multi-pass welding. The local embrittlement is mainly attributed to the morphology, amount and size of M-A constituent. It is also found that the microstructural inhabitanee at ICCGHAZ has a deleterious effect on the toughness. On the basis of above experimental results, it is suggested that the local embrittlement should be prevented by using pre-heating thermal cycle which could eliminate the microstructural inhabitance and using post-heating thermal cycle which could improve the morphology, amount and size of MA constituent.

Effect of welding heat input on HAZ character in ultra-fine grain steel welding

In this essay, we studied how heat input affected the microstructure, hardness, grain size and heat-affected zone(HAZ) dimension of WCX355 ultra-fine grain steel which was welded respectively by the ultra narrow-gap welding (UNGW) process and the overlaying process with CO 2 as protective atmosphere and laser welding process. The experimental results show when the heat input changed from 1.65 kJ/cm to 5.93 kJ/cm, the width of its HAZ ranged from 0.6 mm to 2.1 mm.The average grain size grew up from 2～5 μm of base metal to 20～70 μm and found no obvious soften phenomenon in overheated zone. The width of normalized zone was generally wide as 2/3 as that of the whole HAZ, and the grain size in this zone is smaller than that in base metal. Under the circumstance of equal heat input, the HAZ width of UNGW is narrower than that of the laser welding.

微量元素对超大线能量EH36船板热影响区粗晶区组织和性能的影响

通过焊接热模拟研究了在超大线能量下焊接时Al元素、Mg元素和Ti元素含量对EH36高强船板钢热影响区粗晶区组织、性能的影响规律,采用Thermo-Calc热力学计算与SEM,EDS测试相结合的方法揭示了Al元素、Mg元素和Ti元素含量与母材中氧化物类型、尺寸、数量及粗晶区相变的关系.结果表明,Al_(2)O_(3)无法诱导针状铁素体相变,当Al元素质量分数低于0.005%时,钢中可形成Mg元素、Ti元素或其复合氧化物,可促进粗晶区针状铁素体相变.Mg元素和Ti元素联合添加时,当Mg元素质量分数由0.0042%降低为0.0013%,氧化物类型由MgO转变为Mg_(2)TiO_(4),经统计20个视场内的氧化物数量由408个提高到503个,平均直径由1.37μm减小到1.10μm,显著提高了非均匀形核的比表面积,抑制了晶界铁素体的形成,使t8/5=300 s时粗晶区热模拟试样-20℃冲击吸收能量由43 J提升到127 J.

Effect of Heat Input on Microstructure and Toughness of Coarse Grain Heat Affected Zone in Nb Microalloyed HSLA Steels

The influence of Nb on microstructure, mechanical property and the transformation kinetics of the coarse grain heat affected zone （CGHAZ） in HSLA steels for different heat inputs, has been investigated. When welded at higher heat inputs （100-60 kJ/cm）, impact toughness values of the steel without Nb are much higher than those of the steel with Nb, and the lowest span is 153 J at 60 kJ/cm. But only a little higher values are observed at lower heat inputs （40-30 kJ/cm）, and the highest span is 68 J at 30 kJ/cm. Dilatation studies indicate that continuous cooling transformation starting temperatures （Ts） of CGHAZ for the steel with Nb are approximately 15-30℃ which are lower than those of the steel without Nb at all heat inputs. For higher heat inputs, Nb in solid solution suppresses ferrite transformation and promotes the formation of granular bainite which has detrimental effect on impact toughness. For lower heat inputs higher Charpy impact energy values in the steel with Nb are associated with the formation of low carbon self-tempered martensite.

Effect of Magnesium on Inclusion Formation in Ti-Killed Steels and Microstructural Evolution in Welding Induced Coarse-Grained Heat Affected Zone

Effects of Mg on the chemical component and size distribution of Ti-bearing inclusions favored grain refinement of the welding induced coarse-grained heat affected zone （CGHAZ）, with enhanced impact toughness in Ti-killed steels, which were examined based on experimental observations and thermodynamic calculations. The results indicated that the chemical constituents of the inclusions gradually varied from the Ti-O＋Ti-Mg-O compound oxide to the Ti-Mg-O＋MgO compound oxide and the single-phase MgO, as the Mg content increased from 0.002 3M to 0.006%. A trace addition of Mg （approximately 0. 002%） led to the refinement of Ti-bearing inclusions by creating the Ti-Mg-O compound oxide and provided favorable size distribution of the inclusions for acicular ferrite transformation with a high nucleation rate in the CGHAZ, and a high volume fraction of acicular ferrite was obtained in the CGHAZ with enhanced impact toughness. Otherwise, a high content of Mg （approximately 0. 006%） produced a single-phase MgO, which was impotent to nucleate an acicular ferrite, and a microstructure comprised of a ferrite side plate and a grain boundary ferrite developed in the CGHAZ. The experimental results were confirmed by thermodynamic calculations.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of laser welded wrought fine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy

Fine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy sheets of 2.0 mm in thickness were successfully joined by laser beam welding （LBW）. The effects of welding parameters including laser power and welding speed on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. A sound bead, with the ultimate tensile strength （UTS） of 300 MPa and elongation of 12.0%, up to 92.5% and 65% of those of the base metal, respectively, is obtained with the optimized welding parameters. No liquation cracking is visible in the partially melted zone （PMZ） owing to the inhibitory action of the fine dispersed precipitates and the fine-grained microstructure in the as-rolled magnesium alloy sheets. The fusion zone （FZ） is featured with the equiaxed dendritic grains of the average grain size about 8 μm, which are similar to those in the heat affected zone （HAZ）, and this contributes to the relatively high joint efficiency.

Effect of Heat Input on Cleavage Crack Initiation of Simulated Coarse Grain Heat-affected Zone in Microalloyed Offshore Platform Steel

The combined effects of martensite-austenite（MA）constituent and pearlite colony on cleavage crack initiation in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone（CGHAZ）of V-N-Ti microalloyed offshore platform steel under different heat inputs were investigated.The results of welding simulation,instrumented impact test,and quantitative analysis indicated that the size of the MA constituent decreased with the increase in cooling time,and by contrast,the size of the pearlite colony increased.According to Griffith theory,the critical sizes of cleavage microcracks were calculated.With the increase of cooling time,the calculated microcrack size could be characterized by the size of the MA constituent first,and then fitted with the size of the pearlite colony.Moreover,the calculated microcrack size variation was opposite to the microcrack initiation energy.This phenomenon is probably due to the combined effects of the MA constituent and pearlite colony with increasing the cooling time of the specimen′s temperature from800 to 500 ℃.

EH36厚壁海上风电用钢及其焊接热影响区的断裂韧性研究

目的开发大壁厚抗断裂、耐不同线能量焊接EH36海上风电用钢,满足深水海上风电平台的服役需求。方法试制了80 mm厚的EH36海上风电用钢,研究了不同温度下EH36的断裂韧性变化规律,并进行了7 kJ/cm和50 kJ/cm线能量的焊接试验。通过裂纹尖端张开位移(CTOD)试验,评估母材及焊接CGHAZ的断裂韧性。使用光学显微镜和电子显微镜对其微观组织及其CTOD试样断口形貌进行表征和分析。结果EH36的断裂韧性在−10~−30℃区间内保持较高的值,−40℃为该材料的韧脆转变温度,此时断裂模式从韧性断裂转变为脆性断裂,但其临界CTOD平均值仍高于标准要求。此外,7 kJ/cm热输入的CGHAZ临界CTOD平均值为0.658 mm,其微观组织主要由针状铁素体组成,50 kJ/cm热输入的CGHAZ临界CTOD平均值为0.468 mm,其微观组织主要由针状铁素体和粒状贝氏体组成。在电镜下观察到CGHAZ内含有大量由Ti的氧化物组成的高熔点夹杂物,大量针状铁素体在其周围形核并生长,可有效提升CGHAZ的断裂韧性。结论所开发的EH36厚壁海上风电用钢具有优越的抗断裂性能和焊接性能。

大壁厚X80钢焊接HAZ沿壁厚方向的低温韧性

为研究大壁厚X80钢焊接热影响区(HAZ)沿壁厚方向的低温韧性,研究临界再热粗晶区(ICCGHAZ)的局部脆化对焊接接头韧性的影响,选用中俄东线站场用低温钢管(ϕ1422 mm×22 mm)焊接接头,利用-80~20℃系列温度冲击试验分别评价距外表面2 mm,4 mm,6 mm,8 mm处的冲击吸收能量,评价V形缺口前端包含ICCGHAZ时的韧性。结果表明,大壁厚X80钢焊接HAZ沿壁厚方向韧脆转变规律一致,在-60℃以上均具备良好的低温韧性,但应注意CGHAZ的粗晶脆化引起的偶发脆化现象;ICCGHAZ全温度范围内都是焊接接头的局部脆化区(LBZ),其影响整体焊接接头韧性的程度与温度相关,临界温度为-45℃。在-45℃以上时,不会导致整体脆化;-45℃及以下时,随着温度的降低会显著降低整体韧性,增大脆化概率。建议服役温度低于-45℃的大壁厚耐低温管线技术条件增加1组V形缺口经过ICCGHAZ的夏比冲击试验。

A study on HAZ’s microstructure and grain size of 10CrNi3MoV steel

This paper deals with microstructure and grain size of HAZ of 590 MPa high strength ship-structure steel with welding simulator. While t 8/5 time is short, 10CrNi3MoV steel’s microstructure of coarse grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) is lath martensite structure and a small amount of twined martensite structure; while t 8/5 time is long, it is mainly granular bainite structure. After second thermal cycle with peak temperature between critical temperature Ac 1′ and Ac 3′, CGHAZ has the inheritance of coarse grain and coarse microstructure. Welding energy input (determined by t 8/5 time) has an effect on the inheritance of coarse microstructure, but no influence on the inheritance of coarse grain. In detail, with a shorter t 8/5 time, there is an inheritance of coarse microstructure and grains. With a longer t 8/5 time, there is only the inheritance of coarse grains. While t 8/5 increases, the scope of temperature of causing it diminishes. Therefore, the inheritance of coarse microstructure connects with the high speed of heating and cooling.

Prediction of HAZ grain size in welding of ultra fine grained steel with different parameters

The temperature field and thermal cycling curve in the heat-affected zone during welding 400 MPa ultra fine grained steel by plasma arc were simulated using finite element method. The principle of grain growth kinetics was used to predict the grain size in the heat-affected zone under different welding parameters. The simulation results show that the growing tendency of HAZ grain could be controlled by adjusting the welding parameters, but the growth of HAZ grain could not be eliminated at all. The HAZ grain size became small with increasing of the cooling rate and added with increasing of welding current, arc voltage and welding speed.

经历多次热循环的X80管线钢焊接粗晶区的组织性能研究

采用相变仪DIL805A D模拟X80管线钢焊接的多次热循环过程,并采用OM、SEM及HV-1000获得其显微组织、M-A组元尺寸和体积分数以及原奥氏体晶粒粗化情况和显微硬度。结果表明:经历峰值温度为1350℃的快速焊接热循环作用后,母材中的PF和QF消失;随着热循环次数的增加,组织类型基本保持不变,主要为GB、BF、M-A组元,但GB体积分数逐渐减少、BF体积分数逐渐增多、BF板条宽度从1次热循环后的0.77μm增至3次热循环后的1.36μm,M-A组元的平均晶粒尺寸增大且体积分数略微减少;原奥氏体晶粒尺寸从1次热循环后的40.5μm粗化至3次热循环后的69.5μm,且表现出逐渐不均匀化。此外,X80管线钢显微硬度的上升趋势随热循环次数的增加而减缓。

热处理温度对长期服役T23钢CGHAZ微观组织的影响

以服役时间超过6×104 h的T23水冷壁管对接接头作为研究对象,对焊接接头进行不热处理(焊态)、520℃×1 h,580℃×1 h,650℃×1 h,720℃×1 h及760℃×1 h等6种不同参数的热处理试验。为研究不同热处理后粗晶热影响区(CGHAZ)微观组织变化,分析合金碳化物在晶界的分布规律,同时探索CGHAZ再热裂纹形成原因与析出物之间的内在联系,重点对粗晶区进行了显微硬度分析、金相组织分析、扫描电镜形貌分析及能谱分析。结果表明,焊态T23钢CGHAZ为粗大板条马氏体与贝氏体的混合组织,经测算最大晶粒尺寸约100μm,大部分晶粒尺寸30~50μm;在580℃热处理时,由于晶粒细化及析出物在晶内弥散强化作用,CGHAZ出现了二次硬化现象,根据再热裂纹形成理论,此时晶内强度与晶界强度差较大,应力松弛主要集中于晶界,CGHAZ产生再热裂纹的倾向较大;在720℃热处理时,在CGHAZ晶界位置出现了密集孔洞及合金碳化物,并且空洞与合金碳化物之间存在伴生关系,但短时间内孔洞在后续正常服役条件(560~600℃)下能否发展成为再热裂纹有待商榷。

冷却速率对高强钢焊接粗晶热影响区组织和性能的影响

利用热模拟机、金相显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、电子背散射衍射仪,以及维氏硬度测试与夏比V型冲击试验分析了冷却速率对高强钢粗晶热影响区组织和性能的影响。结果说明:当冷却速率处于0.5~4℃/s时,粗晶区组织主要为粒状贝氏体;当冷却速率处于6~20℃/s时,粗晶区组织主要为板条贝氏体;当冷却速率处于30~60℃/s时,粗晶区组织为马氏体,马氏体转变起始温度Ms的测定值为437℃。当冷却速率为1℃/s时,对应粗晶区的室温冲击功为4.9 J,大角度晶界的占比为28.6%,断裂类型为准解理断裂;当冷却速率为10、60℃/s时,对应粗晶区的室温冲击功分别为20.2、18.9 J,大角度晶界的占比分别为41.4%、31.4%,断裂类型均为韧性断裂。总之,粗晶区组织为粒状贝氏体时韧性最差,粗晶区组织为板条贝氏体时韧性最佳。

X80管线钢焊接热影响区的韧性分析

X80管线钢在焊接过程中,热影响区由于受到焊接过程热的作用,其组织和性能会发生较大的变化。韧性是天然气长输管线的重要性能,采用热模拟技术、现代工程测试手段和显微分析方法,分析了不同热输入参数下X80管线钢焊接热影响区粗晶区(CGHAZ)韧性(夏比冲击功和CTOD)的差异及其原因。在一定范围内,较高焊接热输入下CGHAZ的韧性比较低热输入下CGHAZ的韧性明显高,超过一定范围,随着热输入的增加韧性激剧下降。造成不同热输入下韧性差异的根本原因是由CGHAZ显微组织的差异引起的。较低的热输入下CGHAZ中产生了一定量的低碳马氏体,从而导致韧性较差。