Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Carbide Precipitation and Impact Properties of Coarse-Grained Heat-Affected Zone of Q690 Steel

Abstract

The effect of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on carbide precipitation and impact properties of coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of Q690 Steel was studied in this paper. Carbide particles precipitated primarily at prior austenite grain boundaries and martensitic lath boundaries. When the PWHT temperature is 520–570 °C, temper embrittlement occurs. This temperature range is also where the number of carbide particles per unit area at grain boundaries reaches its maximum. The high number of particles per unit area increases the rate of crack initiation at grain boundaries under rapid loading; linking of microcracks along grain boundaries which are already weakened by impurity segregation results in TE and intergranular fracture.