Tensile properties and microstructure of weld metal in MAG welded X80 pipeline steel

In the wake of the recent upsurge in demand for natural gas, more efficient gas transport through gas transport pipelines has been required. One way of responding to this problem is through pipeline upgrading. Where such upgrading takes place, application of pipes with the same diameter and same plate thickness means that an increase in operating pressure can be expected. At the same operating pressure, smaller-bore pipes and pipe wall downgauging are possible, and a reduction in transport costs or construction costs can be expected.