Hybrid Laser-Arc Welding of X90 Pipeline Steel: Effect of Laser Power on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

In this work, hybrid laser-arc welding process was applied to X90 pipeline steel which has wide potential applications in the future pipeline project. The effect of different laser power (1.0, 1.5 and 2.5 kW) on microstructure and mechanical properties of weld joints was investigated. It has been found that a macroscopic morphology of “wine cup like” is observed in the weld joint with increasing laser power, where fusion zone (FZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ) can be clearly identified. The FZ microstructure mainly includes massive ferrite, acicular ferrite (AF), and increased laser power resulting in a decrease in AF content. The HAZ consists of coarse-grained HAZ (CGHAZ), fine-grained HAZ (FGHAZ) and mixed-grained HAZ (MGHAZ). The hardness ranging from the weld center to base metal decreases and then increases, and the effect of laser power on hardness is not significant. The increased laser power leads to an evident decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and impact toughness of weld joint. The highest ultimate tensile strength and impact energy are 815 MPa, 239.1 J respectively at a laser power of 1.0 kW. A number of inclusions are observed at the bottom of dimples, which may be the (Ti,Mn)₂O₃ particles.