TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Evaluation of local strain behavior of cross-weld tensile specimens of micro-alloyed high-strength steels by digital image correlation N2 - Microalloying elements such as Nb and Ti play a decisive function in achieving the desired mechanical strength of quenched and tempered, high-strength fine-grain structural steels with a nominal yield strength ≥ 690 MPa. The current specifications for the chemical composition only provide manufacturers with upper limits. However, even minor deviations in the alloy concept can have a significant impact on the mechanical properties. Consequently, accurate prediction of weldability and the integrity of welded joints becomes difficult or even impossible due to differences in composition and the resulting microstructures. Undesirable consequences include a possible softening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or, conversely, hardening effects. In view of these challenges, various microalloying strategies with different Ti and Nb contents are being systematically investigated for the first time using specially developed laboratory casting alloys. Each alloying route is based on the common S690QL, maintaining both the chemical composition and the heat treatment parameters. To analyse the weldability, three-layer welds were performed using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and critical microstructures, such as areas of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) that exhibit significant softening or hardening, were identified. The effect of the softened HAZ region on failure was evaluated using transverse tensile specimens. Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to image changes in local strains in different HAZ regions in situ. Using a specially developed mirror system, the local strains of the microstructure zones on the top and bottom of the weld are recorded simultaneously. This makes it possible to analyse how the weld seam geometry (e.g., V-seam) influences the strain gradients. In addition, the analysis of the local deformation helps to understand the effects of the softened HAZ on the global strain, the fracture constriction, the fracture position, and the overall fracture behavior. T2 - IIW Intermediate Meeting, Com. II-A CY - Incheon, Republic of Korea DA - 12.03.2024 KW - Welding KW - High-strength steel KW - Alloy concept KW - Cross-weld tensile sample KW - Mechanical properties PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-59675 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Influence of heat control on hydrogen distribution in high-strength multi-layer welds with narrow groove N2 - High-strength low-alloyed (HSLA) steels with yield strength ≥ 690 MPa are gaining popularity in civil engineering and construction of heavy vehicles. With increasing yield strength, the susceptibility for degradation of the mechanical properties in presence of diffusible hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) generally increases. HAC is a result of the critical interaction of local microstructure, mechanical load and hydrogen concentration. In existing standards for welding of HSLA steels, recommendations (preheating, interpass temperature and hydrogen removal heat treatment) are given to limit the amount of introduced hydrogen during welding. The recommendations are based on investigations with conventional arc welding processes. In the past decade, modern weld technologies were developed to enable welding of narrower weld seams with V-grooves of 30°, e.g. the modified spray arc process. In that connection, a reduced number of weld runs and weld volume are important technical and, hence, economic benefits. In the present study, the hydrogen distribution in S960QL multi-layer welds with thickness of 20 mm was analyzed depending on heat control. The influence of different weld seam opening angles (grooves), heat input, interpass temperature and hydrogen removal procedures was investigated. The results show that weldments with narrow groove contained increased diffusible hydrogen amount. Reasons had been longer diffusion path and higher wire feeding rate compared to conventional welds with wider 60° Vgroove. Hydrogen concentration has been reduced by decreasing both the heat input and interpass temperature. Hydrogen free weldments were achieved via hydrogen removal heat treating at 250 °C for 5 h subsequently after welding. Regarding the strength of the investigated steel, it is recommended to conduct a heat treatment after welding. For the first time, hydrogen concentration gradients were experimentally determined across the weld seam thickness in HSLA multi-layer welds. T2 - Intermediate Meeting of IIW Commission II-A CY - Genoa, Italy DA - 05.03.2018 KW - Hydrogen assisted cracking KW - Welding KW - Heat control KW - High-strength steel PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-44426 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schaupp, Thomas A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Influence of welding parameters on diffusible hydrogen content in high-strength steels using modified spray arc process N2 - In order to satisfy the growing requirements towards lightweight design and resource efficiency in modern steel constructions, e.g. mobile cranes and bridges, high-strength steels with typical yield strength ≥ 690 MPa are coming into use to an increasing extent. However, these steels require special treatment in welding. The susceptibility for degradation of the mechanical properties in presence of hydrogen increases significantly with increasing yield strength. In case of missing knowledge about how and which amount of hydrogen is uptaken during welding, hydrogen assisted cracking can be a negative consequence. Moreover, modern weld technology like the modified spray arc process enables welding of narrower weld seams. In this context, a reduced number of weld beads, volume and total heat input are technical and economic benefits. This work presents the influence of welding parameters on the diffusible hydrogen content in both (1) single-pass and (2) multi-layer welds. Different hydrogen concentrations were detected by varied contact tube distance, wire feed speed, arc length as well as varied arc type (transitional arc and modified spray arc). The results showed, that all welding parameters had significant influence on the diffusible hydrogen concentration in the single-pass welds. By increasing the number of weld beads in case of multi-layer welding, the hydrogen concentration have been substantially reduced. Whereby, differences in hydrogen concentrations between both arc types are present. T2 - IIW Intermediate Meeting: Commission II-A CY - Trollhättan, Sweden DA - 06.03.2017 KW - Hydrogen concentration KW - MAG Welding KW - High-strength steel KW - Welding parameters PY - 2017 AN - OPUS4-39396 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Ti and Nb influence on the HAZ microstructures of weld-simulated high-strength structural steel S690QL N2 - High-strength low-alloyed (HSLA) steels with yield strength / proof stress ≥ 600 MPa are the basis of modern light-weight steel constructions. Indeed, the economic and ecological benefits strongly depend on their processability in terms of welding. In this context, the use of highly productive welding processes, suitable welding consumables is of vital interest and requires a fundamental understanding of the microstructural changes in the HSLA steel and especially the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the welded joint. Microalloying elements, such as Ti or Nb, are essential to achieve the desired mechanical properties. In this context, the underlying standards (such as EN 10025-6) only specify maximum values, resulting in different manufacturer customized microalloy concepts. Furthermore, even small deviations can have a drastic effect expressed by an excessive hardening or softening despite identical welding conditions and filler metal. The reason is the different thermal stability of the Ti and Nb-related precipitates (typically carbides or carbon nitrides). As a result, it is difficult (or even impossible) to adequately predict the weldability. Against this background, different microalloying routes with varying Ti and Nb contents for a S690QL reference grade were systematically investigated in terms of lab-cast alloys close to realistic chemical compositions. To investigate the influence of the welding heat input on the HAZ microstructure formation, physical simulations were carried with specified peak temperatures and cooling times (by a dilatometry). The focus was the identification of the occurring phase transformations during cooling and the final HAZ microstructure. In this context, a double welding cycle was simulated to further identify the behavior of the so-called intercritical HAZ (where softening is likely to occur) in case of the common multi-layer welding for thick plates. The results showed: (1) microalloying has significant influence on the formation of the individual HAZ dependent on (2) the thermal stability of the Ti or Nb-precipitates and (3) synergistic effects of further elements such as Mo and their effect on phase transformations in the HAZ. The results represent a microstructure-based validation of welding processing of such HSLA-steels e.g. in terms of preferred microalloy and weld heat input combinations. T2 - 49th MPA Conference CY - Stuttgart, Germany DA - 06.10.2025 KW - High-strength steel KW - Microalloy elements KW - Welding KW - Weld simulation KW - Microstructure PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64319 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -