Effects of crack size and weld metal mismatch on the has cleavage toughness of wide plates

The heat affect zone (HAZ) is in many cases considered to be the most critical part of a weldment. In this paper, the effect of crack size and weld metal mismatch on the HAZ cleavage toughness of wide plate specimens with X-groove has been investigated by the J-Q-M theories and a simple micromechanism for cleavage fracture. Two crack sizes have been studied (a/w = 0.1 and 0.3). In the analyses, the HAZ yield strength is assumed to be higher than the base metal. For each crack size, weld metal local overmatch and local evenmatch with respect to the HAZ are considered. For a given global strain, the results indicate that weld metal overmatch and evenmatch yield the same crack tip loading in terms of J-integral for a/w = 0.3. For a/w = 0.1, overmatch gives lower crack tip loading than evenmatch. For a given crack tip loading, weld metal local evenmatch in general results in less effective crack tip loading than the overmatch. Overmatch is detrimental to HAZ toughness, but this detrimental effect becomes less significant when the crack size decreases.     

Characterization of incubation time on creep crack growth for weldments of P92

Most structures are mainly fabricated by welding which are likely to be regions of crack initiation and propagation. In such weldment, it is known that the multi-axial stress fields appear due to the plastic constraint induced by the differences in material micro-structure between the weld metal, heat affected zone (HAZ) and base metal. In the present study, the experiments of creep crack growth tests and the structural mechanical analyses of weldment were conducted to understand the effects of stress multi-axiality of weldment on the characteristics of creep crack growth, creep deformation and creep ductility. Additionally, to characterize the time of creep crack initiation up to the start of a brittle type creep crack growth, the distribution of stress multi-axiality (TF) through the base metal, fine-grain HAZ, coarse-grain HAZ to weld metal were investigated.     

Effects of weld strength undermatch on fracture toughness of HAZ notched weldments in a HSLA steel

In the present work the effects of weld strength undermatch on fracture toughness of heat affected zone (HAZ) have been studied. In the investigation a high strength low alloyed steel (HSLA) with 800 MPa strength class was used, and the undermatched welded joints were made with two weld strength mismatch levels. Three-point bending test specimens with crack depth to specimen width ratio a/W ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 were extracted from the welded joints. The test results show that strength mismatching gives an obvious influence on the fracture toughness of coarse grained HAZ for the undermatched joints. The lower the weld strength mismatching, the higher the fracture toughness of the HAZ. In addition the tendency of fracture toughness change with crack depths is much the same as in previous studies on base metals or weld metals, that is, fracture toughness of the HAZ is increased with reduction of crack depths. From the measured results it shows that the macroscopically mechanical heterogeneity of the welds may have more important influence on the fracture toughness of the HAZ than the meso-heterogeneity in the reheated coarse grained HAZ. Furthermore, numerical verification indicates that the stress triaxiality at crack tip may be the essential reason for the change of fracture toughness of HAZ. It is also shown that the yield strength of HAZ determined by the limit load in the three-point bend test represents the combinative effects of HAZ and its surrounding materials. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Analysis of the Charpy V-notch test for welds

The ductile–brittle transition for a weld is investigated by numerical analyses of Charpy impact specimens. The material response is characterized by an elastic–viscoplastic constitutive relation for a porous plastic solid, with adiabatic heating due to plastic dissipation and the resulting thermal softening accounted for. The onset of cleavage is taken to occur when a critical value of the maximum principal stress is attained. The effect of weld strength undermatch or overmatch is investigated for a comparison material, and analyses are also carried out based on experimentally determined flow strength variations in a weldment in a HY100 steel. The predicted work to fracture shows a strong sensitivity to the location of the notch relative to the weld, with the most brittle behavior for a notch close to the narrow heat affected zone. The analyses illustrate the strong dependence of the transition temperature on stress triaxiality.     

Fe calculations of stress fields from cracks located at the fusion line of weldments

This paper investigates the stress fields for a crack located at the fusion line of a weldment. The strength mis-matching and the size of the HAZ were varied, and the corresponding distribution of the maximum principal stress was examined. The weld metal strength was globally overmatched with respect to the base material, but locally over- and undermatched with respect to the heat affected zone. Three cases of mis-match were compared, and it was found that reducing the strength of the HAZ lowered the maximum principal stresses.     

Fracture toughness of laser welds in ship steel

Shipbuilders are showing increasing interest in laser welding as a means of reducing fabrication costs. The nature of the weld zone is very different to that in an arc weld. Careful research is needed to establish the safety of laser welded structures against a range of risk scenarios. This report deals with fracture toughness and defect tolerance. The laser weld is shown to exhibit very unusual behaviour. The lowest toughness is obtained when a crack is located at the heat affected zone (HAZ), but there is no apparent microstructural embrittlement at this location. It is proposed that the effect arises from an elevation of crack tip tensile stresses induced by the strength overmatch of the adjacent weld zone.     

Effect of laser beam welding on fracture toughness of a Ti-6.5Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V alloy sheet

Investigation of fracture toughness on Ti-6.5Al-2Zr-1Mo-1V alloy thin sheet and its laser-welded joints has been carried out. In the test compact tension (CT) specimens and single specimen technology were used. In addition, hardness distribution and microstructure of the welded joints were examined. Fracture test indicates that brittle unstable fracture occurs after slow crack propagation for all the specimens, except that one heat affected zone (HAZ) specimen is brittle crack initiation. It is found that rolling directions have no obvious effect on fracture toughness of base metal. Moreover, fracture toughness of weld metal is obviously decreased in comparison with base metal whatever in as-welded condition or in stress relief condition. Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) leads to fracture toughness of the welds further decreasing. Fractography observation shows that the fracture mode is predominantly dimpled in base metal. However, there exists intergranular fracture in the weld metal. Thus, the transition of fracture mode from both base metal and HAZ to weld metal may lead to dramatic decrease in fracture toughness. Microstructure examination reveals that the microstructure of weld metal consists of large grains with fine acicular structure. The formation of fine α acicular structure is due to rapid cooling during laser welding. After PWHT, the acicular structure is coarsened.     

Two-Parameter (J-M) Description of Crack Tip Stress-Fields for an idealized weldment in small scale yielding

The crack tip stress-field in a trimaterial finite element model has been examined. The model represents an idealised steel weldment with a crack located at the fusion line. The model was loaded with a K _I displacement field to simulate small scale yielding conditions. The effect of changing the weld metal plastic properties and the HAZ layer thickness on the crack tip stress-field was studied, keeping the material properties of the HAZ and base metal constant. The results show that the calculated J-integral remains path independent in the trimaterial model. It is confirmed that the crack tip stress-fields can be normalised by the J-integral. The mismatch constraint can be characterised by a difference field, which is independent of the normalised distance from the crack tip. The results show that changes of HAZ thickness only have a small effect on the stress-fields close to the crack tip. The hardenability of the weld metal influences on the slope of the crack tip stress distribution, but for small changes in hardenability, this effect can be neglected. The results indicate that the difference fields show some radial dependence when a homogeneous reference field is used, but the radial dependence was removed by introducing an inhomogeneous reference field. The effect of changes in the weld metal yield strength has been described with a two parameter (J-M) formulation using the inhomogeneous reference field.     

An engineering methodology to assess effects of weld strength mismatch on cleavage fracture toughness using the Weibull stress approach

This work describes the development of an engineering approach based upon a toughness scaling methodology incorporating the effects of weld strength mismatch on crack-tip driving forces. The approach adopts a nondimensional Weibull stress, [`(s)]_w{\bar{{\sigma}}_w}, as a the near-tip driving force to correlate cleavage fracture across cracked weld configurations with different mismatch conditions even though the loading parameter (measured by J) may vary widely due to mismatch and constraint variations. Application of the procedure to predict the failure strain for an overmatch girth weld made of an API X80 pipeline steel demonstrates the effectiveness of the micromechanics approach. Overall, the results lend strong support to use a Weibull stress based procedure in defect assessments of structural welds.     

The influence of weld strength mismatch on crack-tip constraint in single edge notch bend specimens

Previous work by Dodds and Anderson provides a framework to quantify finite size and crack depth effects on cleavage fracture toughness when failure occurs at deformation levels where J no longer uniquely describes the state of stresses and strains in the vicinity of the crack tip. Size effects on cleavage fracture are quantified by defining a value termed J _SSY: the J to which an infinite body must be loaded to achieve the same likelihood of cleavage fracture as in a finite body. In weld metal fracture toughness testing, mismatch between weld metal and baseplate strength can alter deformation patterns, which complicate size and crack depth effects on cleavage fracture toughness. This study demonstrates that there is virtually no effect of ±20 percent mismatch on J _SSYif the distance from the crack tip to the weld/plate interface (L _min) exceeds 5 mm. At higher levels of overmatch (50 to 100%), it is no longer possible to parameterize the departure of J _SSYfor a weldment from that for a homogeneous SE(B) based on L _min alone. Weld geometry significantly influences the accuracy with which J _SSYfor a welded SE(B) can be approximated by J _SSYfor a homogeneous specimen at these extreme overmatch levels.     

Fatigue crack growth behavior of the simulated HAZ of 800 MPa grade high-performance steel

The present study focuses on the fatigue properties in the weld heat-affected zone (HAZ) of 800 MPa grade high-performance steel, which is commonly used in bridges and buildings. Single- and multi-pass HAZs were simulated by the Gleeble system. Fatigue properties were estimated using a crack propagation test under a 0.3 stress ratio and 0.1 load frequencies. The microstructures and fracture surfaces were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results of the crack propagation test showed that the fatigue crack growth rate of coarse-grained HAZ (CGHAZ) was faster than fine-grained HAZ (FGHAZ), although both regions have identical fully martensite microstructures, because FGHAZ has smaller prior austenite grain and martensite packet sizes, which can act as effective barriers to crack propagation. The fatigue crack growth rate of intercritically reheated CGHAZ (ICCGHAZ) was the fastest among local zones in the HAZ, due to rapid crack initiation and propagation via the massive martensite-austenite (M-A) constituent.     

Role of nonlinear fracture mechanics in assessing fracture and crack growth in welds

An experimental study was conducted to assess the structural performance of repair welds in an ex-service 1Cr-1Mo-0.25V steam turbine casing material. Material from two weld techniques, one involving a post-weld heat-treatment that produced undermatched welds and the other involving a temper bead welding technique that produced overmatched welds were tested. Both welding techniques were implemented in two base metal conditions giving rise to four different welds and two different base metal conditions. The tests conducted included tensile tests, creep tests, fracture toughness tests, fatigue crack growth tests, creep crack growth tests, and creep-fatigue crack growth tests on the base metal, weld metal and the weldment region.The yield strength of the weld metal in the undermatched condition was approximately 10% lower than the base metal, while the weld metal in the overmatched condition had a yield strength that was 30% higher than the base metal at 565 °C. The creep deformation rates in the undermatched welds were 60 times faster than the base metal at a stress of 207 MPa. In the overmatched welds, the creep rates at 207 MPa were about 2.8 times faster in one case and 2.8 times slower in the other.The crack path in fracture toughness specimens followed the interface between the transition layer and the weaker of the weld metal and the base metal. The J-resistance curves for the weldments at 565 °C showed significant variability among duplicate samples from the same welds. This scatter was caused by the variability in the location of the precrack with respect to the fusion line and the location of the low fracture toughness region in the weldment. This behavior was explained using a novel approach for characterizing the fracture of welds. The creep-fatigue crack growth rates at equivalent (C_t)_avg values in undermatched welds was higher than the crack growth rates in the overmatched weld samples. In all cases under creep-fatigue, the crack appeared to grow in the weaker of the base metal and the weld metal. Recommendations for future work are provided to enhance the theoretical underpinnings of the nonlinear fracture mechanics frame-work to rigorously address fracture and crack growth in welds.     

1 000 MPa级高强钢焊接件的氢脆敏感性研究

利用氢渗透试验、慢应变速率拉伸试验(SSRT)研究了1 000MPa级高强钢(HSS)焊接件在海水中的氢渗透行为及其应力腐蚀敏感性,结合SEM观察了试样的断口特征,并利用电化学试验和显微组织观察分析了焊接件不同区域的氢脆特征。结果表明:相对于焊缝区(WM)和母材区(BM),热影响区(HAZ)的自腐蚀电位最负、析氢电位最正,更容易发生腐蚀和析氢行为。热影响区的氢扩散系数最大,具有较强的吸氢倾向。动态电化学充氢对高强钢焊接件的影响主要体现在对塑性的损减方面;随着极化电位的负移,高强钢焊接件的强度没有明显变化,但断面收缩率、断后延伸率均减小,断裂方式逐渐由韧性断裂变为解理断裂;当极化电位约为-930mV(vs SCE)时,高强钢焊接件的氢脆系数达25%;在不同充氢极化电位下,焊接件试样的断裂位置多在热影响区。     

Analysis of steady-state ductile crack growth along a laser weld

The fracture toughness in an elastic-plastic material joined by a laser weld is analyzed for steady-state crack growth along the weld. The analysis is performed for laser welds in steel. Laser welding gives high mismatch between the yield stress within the weld and that in the base material, due to the fast thermic cycle that the material undergoes in welding. The material is described by J ₂-flow theory, and the analysis is performed using a special numerical algorithm, in which the finite element mesh remains fixed relative to the tip of the growing crack, so that the material moves through the mesh. Fracture is modelled by using a cohesive zone criterion in front of the crack tip along the fracture zone. It is found that in general a thinner laser weld gives a higher interface toughness. Furthermore, it is shown that the preferred path of the crack is in the base material slightly outside the weld; a phenomenon also observed in experiments.     

Effect of Notch Location on Fatigue Life Prediction of Strength Mismatched HSLA Steel Weldments

Welding of high strength low alloy steels (HSLA) involves usage of low, even and high strength filler materials (electrodes) than the parent material depending on the application of the welded structures and the availability of the filler material. In the present investigation, the fatigue crack growth behaviour of weld metal (WM) and heat affected zone (HAZ) regions of under matched (UM), equal matched (EM) and over matched (OM) joints has been studied. The base material used in this investigation is HSLA-80 steel of weldable grade. Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process has been used to fabricate the butt joints. Centre cracked tension (CCT) specimen has been used to evaluate the fatigue crack growth behaviour of the welded joints. Fatigue crack growth experiments have been conducted using servo hydraulic controlled fatigue testing machine at constant amplitude loading (R=0). A method has been proposed to predict the fatigue life of HSLA steel welds using fracture mechanics approach by incorporatin     

Oxidation and fatigue crack propagation in the range of low stress intensity factor in relation to the microstructure in P122 Cr–Mo steel

Fatigue strength and life of weldment at high temperatures are important for the materials in power plants. The fatigue crack growth rate is accelerated by oxidation. Similarly, the high-temperature fatigue life is influenced by oxidation. The base metal, the weld metal and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the P122 (Cr–Mo steel) weldment were oxidized between 600 °C and 700 °C for up to 500 h in air, and their oxidation behavior was examined. The oxidation resistance increased in the order of HAZ, base metal and weld metal. The scales were mainly Fe₂O₃. Fatigue tests were performed to measure the fatigue crack growth rate in the range of low stress intensity factor, and the results are discussed from the viewpoint of different microstructures and oxidation.     

Characterization of mechanical properties,fatigue-crack propagation,and residual stresses in a microalloyed pipeline-steel friction-stir weld

The influence of the friction-stir welding process on microstructure and mechanical properties of API 5L X80 skelp was investigated. Friction-stir welds were produced using welding parameters optimized to promote weld toughness. The solid-state welding process produced microstructures that significantly varied from those observed in the base metal, namely the redistribution and resizing of Martensite–Austenite constituent in the heat-affected zone and stir zone regions of the welds. Mechanical properties of the welds and base metal were evaluated with uniaxial tension testing and microhardness testing revealing overmatching welds and a hard zone within the weld stir zone. Residual stresses were determined in several directions with respect to the joint revealing that stress in the longitudinal direction is highest, yet well below material yield strength. Fatigue-crack propagation behavior was characterized in the different weld regions and base metal by testing with the compact tension specimen configuration showing that welds have impeded fatigue-crack growth compared to the base metal mostly due to welding-induced residual stress fields interacting with the crack.     

Studies on the fracture mechanics parameters of weldment with mechanical heterogeneity

The fully plastic solutions of welded centre-cracked strip for plane stress problem were carefully investigated with the fully plastic finite element method. It was introduced for assessing the fracture mechanics parameters of weldment with mechanical heterogeneity that there existed an equivalent yielding stress and equivalent strain hardening exponent in the vicinity of crack tip keeping the assessment of fracture mechanics parameters of weldment in the same way as the homogeneous material. The equivalent yielding stress and equivalent strain hardening exponent of various matched weldment were computed and the effect of weld metal width were calculated and discussed on equivalent yielding stress and equivalent strain hardening exponent near crack tip. The engineering approach was given for estimating the fracture mechanics parameters of weldment with mechanical heterogeneity in elastic-plastic range.     

Local mechanical properties of radial friction welded supermartensitic stainless steel pipes

In this work, supermartensitic stainless steel pipes were radial friction (RF) welded and their microstructures and local mechanical properties (hardness, fracture toughness and micro-tensile strength) were characterized in the as-welded condition. Defect-free RF welds were produced with a matching consumable ring (CR) under optimized welding conditions. The formation of a fine structure consisting of a mixture of virgin martensite and some stable austenite retained in the CR region was observed. On the other hand, the presence of virgin martensite plus δ-ferrite was found in the microstructures of the heat affected zone (HAZ) and thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ). A ductile fracture was detected in the CR and weld interface regions at −40 °C. Moreover, both the CR and weld interface regions showed higher hardness and strength values than those of the base material (overmatching), without presenting significant losses in ductility and fracture toughness, which was attributed directly to the fine transformed microstructure of the weld region.     

The effect of frequency and environment on the fatigue-crack growth behaviour of ASTM A533 Grade B Class 1 weldment material

The effect of frequency and distilled water environment on the fatigue-crack growth characteristics of ASTM A533 Grade B Class 1 weldment material was studied with major emphasis placed on the crack growth along the weld centreline as well as along the heat affected zone (HAZ). A single deterministic fatigue-crack growth model based on the Four Parameter Weibull Survivorship Function is used to describe the dependence of crack growth per cycle, da/dN, on the alternating stress intensity, ΔK, over the entire range of ΔK. The probability distribution function of da/dN is determined to be log-normal by analysing the residuals of the linear regression model that is derived from the Weibull curve-fitting model. No significant effect of frequency is observed in the weld and HAZ materials in laboratory air. A decrease in frequency from 10 Hz to 0.5 Hz in distilled water tends to increase the crack growth rates over the baseline data. Distilled water environment tends to produce serious data scatter in both weld and HAZ materials. As a result, replication of fatigue tests is recommended in order to increase the amount of data which is essential for a better estimate of the median curve. The observed scatter could have some effect in fatigue-crack growth damage tolerance estimates.