Field girth weldability evaluation of X70 UOE pipeline

Based on API STD 1104-2005 and CSA Z662-2007,field girth welding tests and girth weldability evaluations were executed for three types of wall thickness X70 UOE pipeline,in which the most popular main line girth welding method,single-wire automatic gas metal arc welding(GMAW),was used. The welding procedure specification was optimized to achieve a good quality and cold-crack-free girth weld joint without preheating or post-weld heat treatment. In addition,porosities,inclusions,and incomplete fusion defects were avoided. The tensile strength,bending,Vickers hardness,Charpy V-notch impact toughness,and crack tip opening displacement fracture toughness of the girth weld joint were evaluated,and the joint exhibited good mechanical performance. Thus,the field girth weldability of Baosteel's X70 UOE pipeline is excellent for automatic GMAW.