Microstructural effects on fatigue crack growth behavior of a microalloyed steel

Thermal transformations on microalloyed steels can produce multiphase microstructures with different amounts of ferrite, martensite, bainite and retained austenite. These different phases, with distinct morphologies, are determinant of the mechanical behavior of the steel and can, for instance, affect the crack path or promote crack shielding, thus resulting in changes on its propagation rate under cyclic loading. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effects of microstructure on the tensile strength and fatigue crack growth (FCG) behaviour of a 0.08%C-1,5%Mn (wt. pct.) microalloyed steel, recently developed by a Brazilian steel maker under the designation of RD480. This steel is being considered as a promising alternative to replace low carbon steel in wheel components for the automotive industry. Various microstructural conditions were obtained by means of heat treatments followed by water quench, in which the material samples were kept at the temperatures of 800, 950 and 1200 °C. In order to describe the FCG behavior, two models were tested: the conventional Paris equation and a new exponential equation developed for materials showing non-linear FCG behavior. The results allowed correlating the tensile properties and crack growth resistance to the microstructural features. It is also shown that the Region II FCG curves of the dual and multiphase microstructural conditions present crack growth transitions that are better modeled by dividing them in two parts. The fracture surfaces of the fatigued samples were observed via scanning electron microscopy in order to reveal the fracture mechanisms presented by the various material conditions. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Influence of Martensite Content and Morphology on Tensile and Impact Properties of High-Martensite Dual-Phase Steels

A series of dual-phase (DP) steels containing finely dispersed martensite with different volume fractions of martensite (V-m) were produced by intermediate quenching of a boron- and vanadium-containing microalloyed steel. The volume fraction of martensite was varied from 0.3 to 0.8 by changing the intercritical annealing temperature. The tensile and impact properties of these steels were studied and compared to those of step-quenched steels, which showed banded microstructures. The experimental results show that DP steels with finely dispersed microstructures have excellent mechanical properties, including high impact toughness values, with an optimum in properties obtained at similar to 0.55 V-m. A further increase in V-m was found to decrease the yield and tensile strengths as well as the impact properties. It was shown that models developed on the basis of a rule of mixtures are inadequate in capturing the tensile properties of DP steels with V-m > 0.55. Jaoul-Crussard analyses of the work-hardening behavior of the high-martensite volume fraction DP steels show three distinct stages of plastic deformation.

Influence of martensite content and morphology on the toughness and fatigue behavior of high-martensite dual-phase steels

A series of high-martensite dual-phase (HMDP) steels exhibiting a 0.3 to 0.8 volume fraction of martensite (V m ), produced by intermediate quenching (IQ) of a vanadium and boron-containing microalloyed steel, have been studied for toughness and fatigue behavior to supplement the contents of a recent report by the present authors on the unusual tensile behavior of these steels. The studies included assessment of the quasi-static and dynamic fracture toughness and fatigue-crack growth (FCG) behavior of the developed steels. The experimental results show that the quasi-static fracturetoughness (K ICV ) increases with increasing V m in the range between V m =0.3 and 0.6 and then decreases, whereas the dynamic fracture-toughness parameters (K ID , K D , and J ID ) exhibit a significant increase in their magnitudes for steels containing 0.45 to 0.60 V m before achieving a saturation plateau. Both the quasi-static and dynamic fracture-toughness values exhibit the best range of toughnesses for specimens containing approximately equal amounts of precipitate-free ferrite and martensite in a refined microstructural state. The magnitudes of the fatigue threshold in HMDP steels, for V m between 0.55 and 0.60, appear to be superior to those of structural steels of a similar strength level. The Paris-law exponents (m) for the developed HMDP steels increase with increasing V m , with an attendant decrease in the pre-exponential factor (C).

Mechanical behaviour of strain aged dual phase steels

Dual phase steels, characterised by good formability and excellent surface finish, are suitable for applications where processing involves cold deformation. In this context an investigation has been conducted into the cold deformation aging susceptibility of carbon steel API-5L-B and microalloyed steel API-5L-X52, both with dual phase microstructures. Changes in mechanical properties such as phase microhardness, ultimate tensile strength, and yield strength in both types of steel were observed at aging temperatures of 25, 80, and 150°C. This aging is associated with dislocation structures formed on ferrite grains in the vicinity of ferrite/martensite interfaces during intercritical treatments, which become preferential sites for solute atom diffusion. © 1999 IoM Communications Ltd.

Caracterização de um aço microligado ao boro e tratado termicamente utilizado na fabricação de tubos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência do processo de fabricação no comportamento mecânico de rodas ferroviárias

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Análise microestrutural de tubos API P110, para prospecção de petróleo e gás, soldados pelo processo HF/ERW

On the grounds of the great advances achieved over recent years, the process HF/ERW (High-Frequency/Electric Resistance Welding)welded pipe have played an active role in the oil and gas industry for deep water applications, at high and extremely low temperatures, under high pressure and in highly corrosive environments, gradually replacing manufactured pipes by other processes. However, studies have shown that defects in the welded joints are a the leading causes of pipelines failures, which has required the determination of toughness values in this region, in compliance with the strict recommendations of the codes and standards with manufacturers and construction companies, on the oil and gas sector. As part of the validation process required toughness values, this research project focuses on a microstructural analysis in HF / ERW tubes microalloyed, steel grade API 5CT P110, designed to explore oil and gas in deep waters, the subject of strategic relevance to the country because of the recent discoveries in the Santos mega fields: Tupi and Libra (pre-salt). In this scientific work will be presented and discussed the results of mechanical tensile and Charpy, a few CTOD tests curves (showing the trend of toughness values to be obtained), and the microstructures of the base material obtained by optical microscopy, with special emphasis on the formation of nonmetallic inclusions in the welded joint

Estudo do comportamento em fadiga de uma chapa de aço microligado, grau API 5L X70

In engineering, for correct designing the structural components required for cyclical stresses, it is necessary to determine a limit of resistance to fatigue, which is the maximum amplitude of the applied tension under which the fatigue failure does not occurs after a certain number cycles. The marine environment is hostile, not only by the high pressure, corrosion, but also by low temperatures. Petrol Production units, composed of the risers (pipelines connecting the oil well to the ship), are dimensioned to remain installed for periods of 20 up to 30 years, and must therefore be prepared to support various efforts, such as tidal, wind currents and everything that is related. This paper focuses on a study on the fatigue behavior of microalloyed steel, API 5L Grade X70, used to transport oil and gas by pipelines. For analysis, we obtained the curves S-N (stress vs. number of cycles) using laboratory data collected from cylindrical longitudinal and transverse specimens used in axial fatigue test in accordance with ASTM E466. The tensile tests and microhardness were performed to characterize the mechanical properties of the samples, and it was found that the values meet the specifications of the standard API 5L. To characterize microstructurally the material, it was also made a metallographic analysis of the steel under study, and the origin of the fatigue crack was investigated with the support of a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Estudo em fadiga no aço API 5L X80 soldado pelo processo HF/ERW

The technological advancement in order to improve the methods of obtaining energy sources such as oil and natural gas is mainly motivated by the recent discovery of oil reserves. So, increasingly , there is a need for a thorough knowledge of the materials used in the manufacture of pipelines for transportation and exploration of oil and natural gas. The steels which follow the API standard (American Petroleum Institute), also known as high strenght low alloy (hsla), are used in the manufacture of these pipes, as they have, with their welded joints, mechanical properties to withstand the working conditions to which these ducts will be submitted . The objective of this study is to evaluate the fatigue behavior in microalloyed steel grade API 5L X80 welded by process HF / ERW . For this, axial fatigue tests to obtain S-N curve (stress vs. number of cycles ) were conducted. To complement the study, it was performed metallographic , fractographic , Vickers hardness tests and tensile tests to characterize the mechanical properties of the steel and check whether the values satisfy the specifications of the API 5L standard . From the fatigue tests , it was concluded that the surface finish influences directly on the fatigue life of the material

Análise microestrutural de tubos API N80 soldados pelo processo HF/ERW para prospecção de petróleo e gás

On the grounds of the great advances achieved over recent years, the process HF/ERW (High-Frequency/Electric Resistance Welding)welded pipe have played an active role in the oil and gas industry for deep water applications, at high and extremely low temperatures, under high pressure and in highly corrosive environments, gradually replacing manufactured pipes by other processes. However, studies have shown that defects in the welded joints are a the leading causes of pipelines failures, which has required the determination of toughness values in this region, in compliance with the strict recommendations of the codes and standards with manufacturers and construction companies, on the oil and gas sector. As part of the validation process required toughness values, this research project focuses on a microstructural analysis in HF / ERW tubes microalloyed, steel grade API 5CT N80, designed to explore oil and gas in deep waters, the subject of strategic relevance to the country because of the recent discoveries in the Santos mega fields: Tupi and Libra (pre-salt). In this scientific work will be presented and discussed the results of mechanical tensile and Charpy, a few CTOD tests curves (showing the trend of toughness values to be obtained), and the microstructures of the base material obtained by optical microscopy, with special emphasis on the formation of non-metallic inclusions in the welded joint

Estudo do comportamento em fadiga de um tubo de aço microligado, grau API 5L X70

This work focuses on a study on the fatigue behavior of a microalloyed steel API 5L X70, used in pipes lines to transport oil and gas. These types of steels have excellent mechanical resistance values and ductility and therefore increased their study driven by increased demand for oil and especially natural gas, which consequently raises the need to build new pipelines to transport these products. The oil extraction units, composed of the risers (pipelines connecting the oil well to the ship), are dimensioned to remain installed for periods of 20 to 30 years in the marine environment, a hostile environment for high pressure, corrosion, low temperatures and the stresses caused by the movement of water and tides. For analysis, the S-N (stress versus number of cycles) curves were obtained from data collected from bodies-of-proof cylindrical longitudinal, transverse and that one removed from the weld area of the pipe, tested in accordance with ASTM E466. Tensile tests were performed for characterizing the mechanical properties of the samples and welded joints, concluded that the values meet the specifications of the standard API 5L. To characterize microstructural material, also metallographic analysis was made of regions of the base metal and the HAZ. The results of fatigue tests demonstrated a higher life for the specimens removed from the longitudinal direction the pipe, followed by those in the transverse direction and, finally, the welded joint. The origins of the fatigue cracks were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Microstructural Dependence of Work Hardening Behavior in Martensite-Ferrite Microalloyed Steels

Martensite-ferrite microstructures were produced in four microalloyed steels A (Fe-0.44C-Cr-V), B (Fe-0.26C-Cr-V), C (Fe-0.34C-Cr-Ti-V), and D (Fe-0.23C-Cr-V) by intercritical annealing. SEM analysis reveals that steels A and C contained higher martensite fraction and finer ferrite when compared to steels B and D which contained coarser ferrite grains and lower martensite fraction. A network of martensite phase surrounding the ferrite grains was found in all the steels. Crystallographic texture was very weak in these steels as indicated by EBSD analysis. The steels contained negligible volume fraction of retained austenite (approx. 3-6%). TEM analysis revealed the presence of twinned and lath martensite in these steels along with ferrite. Precipitates (carbides and nitrides) of Ti and V of various shapes with few nanometers size were found, particularly in the microstructures of steel B. Work hardening behavior of these steels at ambient temperature was evaluated through modified Jaoul-Crussard analysis, and it was characterized by two stages due to presence of martensite and ferrite phases in their microstructure. Steel A displayed large work hardening among other steel compositions. Work hardening behavior of the steels at a warm working temperature of 540 A degrees C was characterized by a single stage due to the decomposition of martensite into ferrite and carbides at this temperature as indicated by SEM images of the steels after warm deformation.

Effects of a postweld heat treatment on a submerged arc welded ASTM A537 pressure vessel steel

Postweld heat treatment (PWHT) is frequently applied to steel pressure vessels, following the requirements of the ASME code (section VIII), which establishes the parameters of the PWHT based on the thickness and chemical composition of the welded section. This work shows the results of an analysis undertaken on a sample of ASTM A537 C1 steel subjected to qualifying welding procedure tests including PWHT (650 degreesC/5 h), the results obtained showed that this PWHT practice promoted a reduction in the mechanical properties of the base metal and the heat-affected zone (HAZ).