The effect of mechanical inhomogeneity in microzones of welded joints on CTOD fracture toughness of nuclear thick-walled steel

Abstract

This study employs the microshear test method to examine the local mechanical properties of narrow-gap welded joints, revealing the mechanical inhomogeneity by evaluating the microshear strength, stress‒strain curves, and failure strain. On this basis, the influence of weld joints micromechanical inhomogeneity on the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) fracture toughness is investigated. From the root weld layer to the cover weld layer, the fracture toughness at the center of the weld seam demonstrates an increasing trend, with the experimental and calculated CTOD values showing a good correspondence. The microproperties of the welded joints significantly impact the load-bearing capacity and fracture toughness. During the deformation process of the “low-matching” microregions, the plastic zone expansion is hindered by the surrounding microregion strength constraints, thus reducing the fracture toughness. In contrast, during the deformation of the “high-matching” microregions, the surrounding microregions absorb some of the loading energy, partially releasing the concentrated stress at the crack tip, which in turn increases the fracture toughness.