X80 Pipeline Steel Research Articles

Effects of hydrogen blending ratios and CO2 on hydrogen embrittlement of X65 steel in high-pressure offshore hydrogen-blended natural gas pipelines

In this study, the effects of hydrogen blending ratios and high CO2 content on hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of offshore natural gas X65 pipeline steel were investigated. In high-pressure hydrogen gas, the impact of hydrogen content on yield strength and tensile strength was minimal. However, the effect on elongation was more significant, with the area decreasing and the HE index increasing until the hydrogen-blended ratio approached 30%, at which point the HE index reached 8.94%. Introducing CO2 into high-pressure hydrogen-rich gas further increased the HE index with high CO2 content. At 40% CO2, the HE index was 2.42 times higher than in high-pressure hydrogen-blended mixtures (30% H2). Additionally, the local fracture morphology transitions from ductile to quasi-cleavage fracture with the addition of CO2 and H2.

Effect of Filler Wire Composition on Weld Metal Microstructure and Mechanical Properties in X80 Steel Laser Welds

Laser welding was performed using different filler wires, ER70S steel, commercially pure iron, and pure nickel filler, in the context of welding X80 pipeline steel to assess the microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld metal. Introducing an ER70S wire promoted acicular ferrite formation in the fusion zone, compared to a bainitic microstructure in an autogenous laser weld. The use of pure iron wire was considered as a potential strategy for reducing hardenability, as it led to the dilution of alloying elements in the fusion zone, increasing ferrite content and reducing weld metal hardness to a level compliant with API pipeline standards. The addition of pure nickel wire was used to reveal the degree of weld metal mixing imposed by the laser (thus providing an unambiguous tracer element) when it is combined with filler material dilution in the fusion zone, revealing that the upper region contained 38% wire material and the lower region only 12%. This accounts for the differences observed between the upper versus lower portions of the weld metal when other wires are used, and the use of hardness mapping and micro-indentation demonstrates the correlation between the variations in mechanical properties and microstructural differences introduced by incomplete mixing of the filler wire elements.

Experimental Study on Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior of X80 and X70 Pipeline Steels Evaluated by Hydrogen Permeation and Slow Strain Rate Tensile Tests

Experimental Study on Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior of X80 and X70 Pipeline Steels Evaluated by Hydrogen Permeation and Slow Strain Rate Tensile Tests

Multi-objective prediction and optimization of X70 pipeline steel welding morphology in overhead laser-MAG hybrid welding based on RSM-NSGA-II

Multi-objective prediction and optimization of X70 pipeline steel welding morphology in overhead laser-MAG hybrid welding based on RSM-NSGA-II

Anions exacerbate microbial corrosion of X80 pipeline steel induced by sulfate-reducing bacteria in the sea mud environment

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) present in sea mud pose a challenge to the safe operation of subsea pipelines. Chlorides and sulfates in sea mud promote the microbial corrosion of subsea pipelines by SRB. This study investigates the effects of sulfate and chloride on the microbial corrosion of X80 pipeline steel in the sea mud environment. The results indicate that sulfate serves as an electron acceptor, promoting the growth of SRB, while chloride regulates the osmotic pressure of SRB cells, affecting their bioactivity. SRB exhibit more aggressive corrosion behavior in sea mud with high concentrations of both chloride and sulfate.

Hydrogen Embrittlement Behavior of API X70 Linepipe Steel under Ex Situ and In Situ Hydrogen Charging.

This study investigates the hydrogen embrittlement behavior of API X70 linepipe steel. The microstructure was primarily composed of a dislocation-rich bainitic microstructure and polygonal ferrite. Slow strain-rate tests (SSRTs) were performed under both ex situ and in situ electrochemical hydrogen charging conditions to examine the difference between hydrogen diffusion and trapping behaviors. The ex situ SSRTs showed almost the same tensile properties as air and a limited brittle fracture confined to near the surface. In contrast, the in situ SSRTs showed an abrupt failure after the maximum tensile load, leading to a brittle fracture across the entire fracture surface with stress-oriented hydrogen-induced cracking (SOHIC). The crack trace analysis results indicated that SOHIC propagation paths were influenced by localized hydrogen accumulation due to high-stress fields. As a result, the dominant hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms, such as hydrogen-enhanced localized plasticity (HELP) and hydrogen-enhanced decohesion (HEDE), changed. These findings provide critical insights into the microstructural factors affecting hydrogen embrittlement, which are essential for the design of hydrogen-resistant steels in hydrogen infrastructure applications.

Evaluating the Effect of Blended and Pure Hydrogen in X60 Pipeline Steel for Low-Pressure Transmission Using Hollow-Specimen Slow-Strain-Rate Tensile Testing

Evaluating the Effect of Blended and Pure Hydrogen in X60 Pipeline Steel for Low-Pressure Transmission Using Hollow-Specimen Slow-Strain-Rate Tensile Testing

Microstructure and wear resistance of laser cladding AlCoCrFeNiSiB high-entropy alloy with high boron content

In this study, a wear-resistant coating of high boron content Al1.5CoCr2Fe1.5NiSi0.5B2 high-entropy alloy (HEA) was prepared on X65 pipeline steel by laser cladding. The coating underwent microhardness testing, wear performance testing, and analyses including scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed a dual-phase structure of body-centered cube (BCC) and face-entered cube (FCC) in the coating, with the presence of Fe1.1Cr0.9B0.9 phase distributed within the BCC. Utilizing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) characterization, irregular atomic arrangement regions within the BCC structure were observed. Through the calculation of the α2 and ε parameters of the coating, the degree of lattice distortion in the BCC and FCC phases was quantitatively described. The results suggested that the addition of a substantial amount of boron could strengthen the lattice distortion effect, leading to improved hardness and wear resistance of the coating. The average microhardness of the coating was 912 HV, about 5 times higher than X65 substrate, improved by more than 10 % compared with other AlCoCrFeNi-based high-entropy alloys and B-containing high-entropy alloys. The wear rate was 4.78 × 10−6 mm/N·m, wear performance is nearly 10 times higher than other AlCoCrFeNi HEA without boron, 2 times higher than HEA with born. The wear mechanism of the coating was identified as abrasive and oxidative wear.

Coupled effect of microstructure heterogeneity and hydrogen on local embrittlement of CGHAZ and IC-CGHAZ in X65 pipeline steel

The local embrittlement of the coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) and intercritically reheated CGHAZ (IC-CGHAZ) in X65 pipeline steel was investigated using an in situ crack-tip opening displacement test in air and H2S, combined with microstructure-based simulation. The IC-CGHAZ exhibited significantly lower cracking resistance, with the fracture toughness reduced by 50% compared to CGHAZ in both environments (0.160 mm in air and 0.017 mm in H₂S for IC-CGHAZ, compared to 0.307 mm in air and 0.034 mm in H₂S for CGHAZ). The martensite/austenite (M/A) constituents showed exceptionally higher intrinsic hardness than the ferrite matrix. The continuous distribution of M/As along the prior austenite grain boundaries resulted in local hardening and the formation of heterogeneous hard zones in IC-CGHAZ. Such microstructure heterogeneity resulted in the unique partitioning of plastic strain localization and stress triaxiality that promotes premature fracture, particularly with the coupled effect of hydrogen. This study provides a novel perspective on the fracture mechanisms and the typical fracture morphology of IC-CGHAZs in pipeline steel under the coupled effect of microstructure heterogeneity and hydrogen.

Manipulating nano-WS2 aggregates in electroplated Ni coating to mitigate hydrogen embrittlement in X70 pipeline steel

WS2 is a two-dimensional nanomaterial with significant potential for hydrogen barrier applications. Herein, WS2/Ni composite coatings were fabricated on X70 pipeline steel substrates via electrodeposition. The properties of the composite coatings were systematically examined by electrochemical hydrogen permeation tests, hydrogen evolution kinetics tests, SSRT, SKPFM, and FEM. The results indicate that varying the deposition time leads to changes in coating microstructure, which correspondingly influence hydrogen permeation performance. Furthermore, the hydrogen barrier mechanism of the WS2/Ni composite coatings involves two key processes: the inhibition of hydrogen evolution reactions on the coating surface and hydrogen adsorption by WS2 within the coating interior.

Hydrogen permeation behavior of X80 pipeline steel under alternating wet-dry environment in the South China Sea

The riser sections of offshore pipelines are subject to cathodic potentials, alternating wet-dry (AWD) cycles and stresses in the service environment. The hydrogen permeation of X80 offshore pipeline with different cathodic potentials, dry/wet ratios, and constant tensile stress in AWD environment were investigated by the self made experimental equipment, which includes the three modules, i.e., the constant stress loading, the two-component cell hydrogen permeation, and AWD environment. Results showed that hydrogen permeation current fluctuates with the AWD, which is different from that in the bulk solution. In one AWD cycle, the permeation increases in the wetting stage and decreases in the dry stage. The smaller the dry/wet ratio, the longer the hydrogen permeation current keeps high level which is caused by the dense corrosion product layer. The hydrogen permeation currents in the elastic stress are greater than those in the plastic deformation, and unstressed conditions is the smallest.

Study on the Mechanical Response Behavior of X80 Pipeline Steel Welding Structure under Tensile Stress

Abstract The weld joint is composed of the weld area and the heat-affected area. The heterogeneity of the organizational structure will lead to local strain mismatch and affect its mechanical properties. This paper studies the strain distribution characteristics of the weld area and the heat-affected area under tensile stress, and reveals the respective strain response mechanism of the two regions. It is found that the weld area has lower yield strength and hardness, greater uniform elongation and strain hardening index. The plastic strain of the weld joint under tensile stress is highly heterogeneous, and the strain response mechanism is mainly based on the processing hardening effect. The strain response of the heat-affected area is weak and is affected by grain-oriented hardening. The research results provide a theoretical basis and experimental basis for the design of pipeline steel welding process and the safety evaluation under plastic deformation conditions.

Underlying mechanisms for the effect of Nb micro-alloying on the elemental distribution and precipitation behavior in the X70 weld metal

Niobium (Nb) is a widely recognized micro-alloying element due to its low cost and substantial impact on steel properties. While the effect of Nb in processed steels has been well investigated, studies on its elemental distribution and precipitation behavior in weld metal remain scarce. This study focuses on the weld metal of specially designed Nb-rich X70 pipeline steel by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) characterization, complemented with thermodynamic and kinetics modeling analysis. In the majority of the weld, Nb was essentially uniformly distributed. This suggests that Nb primarily exists in the solid solution form in the weld metal, which is also supported by precipitation kinetics modeling results. This is primarily due to the short thermal history associated with the welding process, which leads to insufficient time for the uniform precipitation of Nb. Two instances of Nb precipitates were observed at the weld centerline and reinforcement region. The low partition coefficient of Nb results in an elevated local concentration along the weld centerline. However, precipitation kinetics calculations suggest that this enhancement alone is not adequate to induce precipitate formation. The occurrence of MnS and the prior formation of Ti precipitates may provide heterogeneous nucleation sites for Nb, facilitating the nucleation of Nb precipitates in the weld centerline and reinforcement region.

Constitutive Modeling, Processing Map Optimization, and Recrystallization Kinetics of high-grade X80 pipeline steel

Hot compression tests were used to examine the hot deformation behavior and of high-grade pipeline X80 steel at strain rates of 0.001-1 s-1 and temperatures of 950-1100 ºC. Two approaches were used to model material flow curves. The first used the Zener-Hollomon parameter, Z, to show the impact of deformation temperature and strain rate on flow stress, using the Arrhenius constitutive equation. The second used a rule of mixture to represent the material's flow curve, considering work hardening and dynamic recrystallization flow stresses. The first method was accurate at low Z and low strains, while the second method accurately displayed peak stress, was suitable for large strains, and predicting flow curves at industrial strain rates. The microstructure of X80 steel exhibits strain rate dependence under hot deformation conditions, with finer and more equiaxed microstructures observed at higher strain rates. These findings align with processing map predictions for stable deformation behavior, suggesting potential for optimized hot working processes. The static recrystallization kinetics showed that the Avarmi exponent, n, ranges from 1 to 2 for strains of 0.2 and 0.35 at 950°C, but higher values were observed under hot deformation conditions.

Investigation of the Fitness for Service (FFS) of Cracks in API 5L X70 Pipeline Steel using Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD)

In this study, the fitness for service of crack propagation in API 5L X-70 stee1 was investigated using a model called Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) to determine how fit a crack can be under certain operational pressure. It is a known fact that during the production of pipes, there are tendencies for flaws such as inclusions and cracks to occur in the pipes. When these flaws are subjected to stresses, there are tendencies for failures to occur starting from where the cracks or flaws are located. The failure due to the propagation of the cracks leads to oil spillage causing pollution to the environment which had negatively impacted livelihood of the host communities and aquatic lives. This had resulted in Government spending huge amount of money maintaining the pipelines and remediation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the fitness for service of crack lengths 12 mm, 17 mm, 22 mm and 27 mm using the Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) mode1. The material used in this paper is API 5L X 70 steel in the form of a Compact Tension (CT) specimen machined according to ASTM E1820 – 13. API 5L X-70 stee1 is a low-carbon stee1 with a carbon content of as low as 0.04 %. It is used in the production of pipelines for conveying crude oil and natural gas from the place of production to the place of refining or export. In the investigation of the fitness for service of the cracks, a charpy V-notch impact test was carried out to determine the energy required to fracture the steel, which was later inputted numerically into a critical stress intensity factor formula in accordance with BS 7910 – 13 standards to obtain the critical stress intensity factor (KIC or KQ). The stress intensity factor (KI) was obtained from formula also according to BS 7910 – 13 standards. The ratio of KI to KQ was used in the FAD analysis. Subsequently, a monotonic tensile test was conducted to obtain the yield stress ( ys) and the reference stress ( ref) was obtained numerically according to BS 7910 – 13. The ratio of ref) to ys) was also used in the FAD analysis. The FAD analysis was used to determine the fitness for services and fracture behaviour of each crack. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to confirm the fracture behaviour obtained from the FAD. The results obtained show that the energy from the charpy V-notch impact test was 302.9 J and the critical stress intensity factor (KQ) correlated numerically according to BS 7910 – 13 was determine as 246.73 MPa . The yield stresses obtained from the monotonic test for crack lengths of 12 mm, 17 mm, 22 mm and 27 mm were 132.51 MPa, 109.10 MPa, 114.36 MPa and 118.21 MPa, respectively. In the FAD analysis, it was observed that the safe operational stress to ensure fitness for service decreases with an increase in crack length. The fracture behaviour shows a ductile fracture behaviour since the FAD lies within the plastic collapse region. This fracture behaviour was confirmed by the image obtained from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed a cup and cone image suggesting ductile fracture behaviour. This FAD method will ensure that safe operational stresses are maintained for various crack length to prolong the life span of the pipeline. It is a novel method that can also be used to properly schedule the rate of inspection in pipelines alongside Ultrasonic sound, Liquid penetrant, Magnetic particle and radiographic methods of inspection.

Insight into the effect of oxygen content on the corrosion behavior of X70 pipeline steel in a typical simulated soil solution by dissolution-diffusion-deposition model

In this work, traditional experimental methods were employed to investigate the effect of dissolved oxygen (DO) on the corrosion behavior of X70 pipeline steel in a low-temperature acidic-bentonite simulation soil solution. A novel model was utilized to describe the complex dissolution-diffusion-deposition process at the metal/solution interface. This model aims to enhance comprehension of the dynamics of the corrosion product layer of X70 pipeline steel under varying oxygen concentrations, as well as the effects of alloying elements (Fe, Cr and Cu) on the corrosion resistance. By integrating traditional experimental methods with calculation models, the results reveal a positive correlation between DO levels and the corrosion rate X70 pipeline steel. This relationship is attributed to the distinct characteristics of the corrosion product layers formed under different DO conditions. At low DO levels, the nucleation and growth rates of oxide/hydroxide are slower, leading to the formation of a denser, more protective corrosion product layer. Conversely, at high DO levels, the accelerated nucleation and growth rates produce larger oxide/hydroxide particles, resulting in a porous and less protective corrosion product layer. Furthermore, the variation in the protective qualities of the corrosion product layers under different DO conditions causes differences in corrosion morphology: X70 pipeline steel exhibits localized corrosion in low DO environments and more uniform corrosion under high DO conditions.

Study of hydrogen embrittlement in steels using modified pressurized disks

The integration of hydrogen into natural gas pipelines presents challenges due to Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE), requiring critical material selection and testing methods. One such test is the Disk Pressure Test (DPT), which consists in pressurizing a clamped disk to failure. However, failure happens often at the clamping zone, making analysis difficult. This study aims to develop new disk geometries to control failure location while maintaining the test setup. Using two steel grades (a vintage X52 pipeline steel and a modern E355 modified steel with potential for pipeline use), new disk geometries were tested under helium and hydrogen at various pressure rise rates. Results show successful displacement of failure away from the clamping zones, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new geometries. Hydrogen embrittlement is demonstrated by comparing failure pressures under helium and hydrogen at various pressure rise rates. Using both material testing and simulation, this study provides insights into hydrogen embrittlement.

Synergic effects of temperature and pressure on the hydrogen diffusion and dissolution behaviour of X80 pipeline steel

Gas-phase hydrogen permeation experiments were conducted on X80 steel at temperatures from −15℃ to 60℃ and hydrogen pressures of 1, 4, 8 MPa. Hydrogen trap densities were determined, and a method for calculating nonlinear hydrogen concentration distribution was established and verified. Results reveal different temperature dependencies for hydrogen concentrations at varying pressures. At 4 and 8 MPa, the hydrogen concentration increases with temperature, whereas at 1 MPa, it initially decreases before increasing. Additionally, the influences of hydrogen pressure, hydrogen trap binding energy, and hydrogen trap density on this trend are discussed.

Multi-angle analysis of Mo on martensite–austenite component and toughness in SCGHAZ of X80 pipeline automatic ring welding

In order to solve the embrittlement problem of welded joint of pipeline steel, this paper proposes to study the influence of Mo on M-A component of the subcritically reheated coarse-grained HAZ (SCGHAZ), and Mo on bainite transformation. Through the welding thermal simulation experiment, two kinds of X80 pipeline steel with different Mo content were set different secondary thermal cycle peak temperatures to simulate the heat affected zone (HAZ). Samples in the SCGHAZ were selected to observe the microstructure, M-A component, microalloy-element distribution and fracture crack trend, and comprehensively analyze the reasons for the deterioration of impact toughness caused by the changes of Mo content. The results show that the increase of Mo content leads to the formation of twinning martensite, which is one of the reasons for the deterioration of toughness. Mo is enriched at the interface of ferrite and M-A component, reducing the binding energy at the interface, resulting in the desorption of M-A component from the matrix, the formation of pores and becoming the nucleation site of cracks, resulting in the generation of micro-cracks and the decrease of toughness.

Effects of Surface Crack Shape on Fracture Behavior of Oil Pipelines Based on the MMC Criterion.

This study employs a hybrid numerical-experimental calibration method based on phenomena to determine the fracture parameters of the Modified Mohr-Coulomb (MMC) model. Using a self-developed VUMAT subroutine and the element deletion technique, the fracture process of a wide plate pipeline is thoroughly analyzed. This study investigates the impact of various crack shapes on the fracture response under tensile loading and the influence of surface crack size on the initiation location of a wide plate. These results demonstrate the calibrated MMC fracture model's accurate prediction of the toughness fracture behavior of X80 pipeline steel. Under equal area conditions of the dangerous section, circular cracks exhibit lower bearing capacity compared to elliptical cracks. Elliptical cracks predominantly propagate in the thickness direction, whereas circular cracks show nearly uniform growth in all directions. Furthermore, when the crack depth is less than half of the wall thickness, the damage accumulation value at the midpoint of the crack front is maximized; conversely, when the crack front is closer to the internal measurement point of the wide plate, the damage accumulation value is maximized.