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Evaluation of microstructure and toughness of SAW steel weld metals with optimum Al/O ratio

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Abstract

A study was made to understand the possible effect of the Al/O ratio on the Charpy V-notch impact properties of submerged arc weld metals within the optimum range of Al/O ratio previously reported to be 0.45–0.75. To vary the Al/O ratio of weld metals in such a narrow range, two base plates different in aluminum content were selected, and a bead-in-groove weld was made on each plate using the same welding condition. From the chemical compositions obtained, the Al/O ratio of each plate was determined to be 0.47 and 0.75. Charpy impact tests showed that the ductile–brittle transition temperature (DBTT) of a low Al/O ratio was about 25 °C lower than that of a high Al/O ratio. The improvement in toughness is concluded to be attributable to the microstructural refinement that can be quantified by two different parameters: AF content increased from 70 to 79% and grain size decreased from 8 to 6 μm. These results also indicated that even a slight variation in aluminum content of base plates could cause a marked variation in weld microstructure and toughness. In addition, the inclusions in the weld of low Al/O ratio were confirmed to be covered by the TiO layer, but no manganese-depleted zone (MDZ) was observed.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government (MOTIE) (20206510100030, Development of Repair Technology for Class 2, 3 Large Bore Piping in Operating Nuclear Power Plant).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hyundai Steel Co., Bukbusaneop-ro, Songak-eup, Dangjin-si, 1480, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea

    Kangmyung Seo

  2. Korea Institute of Materials Science, 797, Changwon-Daero, Seongsan-Gu, Changwon-Si, 51508, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea

    Yongjoon Kang

  3. R&D Center, KISWEL, 704 Gongdan-Ro, Seongsan-Gu, Changwon-Si, 51544, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea

    Hee Jin Kim

  4. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, 477, Bundangsuseo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea

    Byungchul Kim

  5. School of Material Science, Pusan National University 2, Busandaehak-ro 63, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, 46241, Korea

    Byungchul Kim & Namhyun Kang

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  1. Kangmyung Seo
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Seo, K., Kang, Y., Kim, H.J. et al. Evaluation of microstructure and toughness of SAW steel weld metals with optimum Al/O ratio. Weld World (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-024-01749-x

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