Non-Isothermal Austenite Grain Growth Kinetics in the HAZ of a Microalloyed X-80 Linepipe Steel

Abstract

Non-isothermal austenite grain growth kinetics under the influence of several combinations of Nb, Ti and Mo containing complex precipitates has been studied in a microalloyed linepipe steel. The goal of these studies is the development of a grain growth model to predict the austenite grain size in the weld heat affected zone (HAZ). A detailed electron microscopic investigations of the as-received steel proved the presence of Ti-rich, Nb-rich and Mo-rich precipitates. Inter and intragranular precipitates of ~5-150 nm have been observed. The steel has been subjected to austenitizing heat treatments to selected peak temperatures of 950, 1150 and 1350°C at various heating rates of 10, 100 and 1000°C/s. Thermal cycles have been found to have a strong effect on the final austenite grain size. The increase in heating rate from 100 to 1000°C/s has a negligible difference in the austenite grain size irrespective of the austenitizing temperature. However, the increase in grain size has been noticed at 10°C/s heating rate for all the austenitizing temperatures. The austenite grain growth kinetics have been explained taking into account the austenite growth in the presence of precipitates.