Prediction of microstructure and mechanical properties of line pipe welded joints based on hardness map

Abstract

In this article, the variation of hardness in cross-section of X52 microalloyed steel joints before and after post-weld heat treatment and also the relationship of hardness with ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and microstructure have been investigated. For this purpose, the specimens were prepared in two conditions of as welded and post-weld heat treated, and the hardness maps of their cross-section were provided. Then, some equations were suggested to correlate the obtained hardness with the grain size and tensile and yield strengths. The equations made it possible to predict tensile and yield strengths with high accuracy. According to the results, the maximum hardness and strength belong to the weld junction. Normalisation of the joints at 950°C reduced significantly the hardness difference (and also the strength difference) in various joint areas and homogenised the microstructure considerably. The grain size distribution was also modelled acceptably for the post-weld heat treated joint, and the grain size map was obtained.

Keywords:

• Hardness map
• Tensile and yield strengths
• Microstructure
• X52 microalloyed steel
• Line pipe joints