Study on the effect of microstructure on toughness dispersion of X70 steel girth weld

Abstract

The girth weld metal impact toughness would affect the safe operation of long transmission oil and gas pipeline. In order to further clarify toughness law of pipeline steel girth weld, the Charpy impact toughness of X70 steel girth weld at −10 °C was studied by standard impact method, and the impact energy range was determined to be 18–95 J. The impact energy range of girth welds varied significantly, and the toughness was discrete. The impact toughness of the different microstructures in the girth weld at −158 °C was studied by the small specimen impact test. The root weld metal mainly consisted of ferrite and a small amount of pearlite, and its impact toughness was low. The large effective grain size and dislocation density difference between large lath bainite (LB) and coarse granular bainite (GB) increased the strain heterogeneity during impact deformation. In fine GB, effective grain size reduction and uniform distribution of Martensite austenite (M–A) components reduced the local strain, resulting in more uniform deformation. Therefore, the sample with the fine GB had higher impact the toughness and ductile fracture mode. For the standard Charpy impact samples, the main reason for toughness dispersion was change of fine GB proportion. The fine GB proportions of P6-2, P3-3 and P3-2 were 46.7 %, 40.8 %, and 29.5 %, respectively. Simultaneously, the influence of position change on the impact energy was considered.