TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Influence of various microalloying strategies on the mechanical properties of weld seams in S690QL steel N2 - Microalloying elements such as niobium (Nb) and titanium (Ti) play a crucial role in achieving the desired mechanical properties of quenched and tempered high-strength fine-grained structural steels with a nominal yield strength of ≥ 690 MPa. Current specifications for the chemical composition only define upper limits for these elements, providing manufacturers with some flexibility. However, even minor deviations in alloying concepts can significantly influence the resulting mechanical properties. Consequently, accurately predicting weldability and the integrity of welded joints becomes challenging or even unfeasible due to variations in composition and the associated microstructural changes. Potential adverse effects include the softening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) or, conversely, localized hardening phenomena. To address these challenges, various microalloying strategies with different Ti and Nb contents are being systematically investigated for the first time using specially designed laboratory-cast alloys. Each alloying approach is based on the commonly used S690QL steel grade while maintaining consistent chemical composition and heat treatment parameters. To evaluate the weldability, three-layer welds were produced using gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and critical microstructural regions, particularly those within the heat-affected zone (HAZ) exhibiting significant softening or hardening, were identified. The influence of the softened HAZ region on failure behavior was assessed through transverse tensile testing. Digital image correlation (DIC) was employed for in situ analysis of local strain distributions across different HAZ regions. In addition, Charpy tests were carried out on BM, WM and HAZ to determine the Charpy impact toughness. This was supported by metallographic analyses and thermodynamic simulation using ThermoCalc. T2 - IIW Intermediate Meeting, Com. II-A CY - Trollhättan, Sweden DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Welding KW - Microalloy elements KW - High strength steels KW - Mechanical properties PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-62691 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - 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 - Giese, Marcel A1 - Schröder, Nina A1 - Rhode, Michael A1 - Kannengießer, Thomas A1 - Kromm, Arne A1 - Kadoke, Daniel A1 - Kruse, Julius T1 - Local strain behaviour in cross weld tensile specimens of microalloyed high strength steels using digital image correlation N2 - This study specifically examines the role of the microalloying element titanium (Ti) in achieving the desired mechanical properties of quenched and tempered high-strength fine-grain structural steels, with a nominal yield strength of ≥ 690 MPa. Current specifications limit chemical composition only by defining upper thresholds, but even minor variations in Ti content can substantially alter mechanical properties. Consequently, accurate prediction of weldability and welded joint integrity becomes challenging, as variations in Ti lead to distinct microstructural characteristics, potentially causing undesirable softening or hardening effects in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). To address these complexities, two distinct titanium concentrations were systematically investigated for the first time using specially developed laboratory-cast alloys. Both alloying configurations were based on the standard S690QL grade, with consistent chemical composition and heat treatment parameters maintained across the samples. For the weldability analysis, three-layer welds were executed using gas metal arc welding (GMAW), allowing for the identification of critical microstructural zones within the HAZ that exhibit significant softening or hardening. The influence of the softened HAZ region on failure mechanisms was assessed through transverse tensile tests. Digital image correlation (DIC) was employed to capture local strain variations across different HAZ regions in situ. With a custom-developed mirror system, local strains in microstructural zones on both the top and bottom surfaces of the weld were recorded simultaneously. This setup enabled a detailed analysis of how weld seam geometry (e.g., V-groove configuration) influences strain gradients. Additionally, the investigation of localized deformation provided insights into how variations in Ti content within the HAZ affect global strain, fracture constriction, fracture location, and overall fracture behavior. T2 - MPA Seminar 2024 Materials Processes Applications CY - Stuttgart, Germany DA - 08.10.2024 KW - HAZ-Softening KW - Digital Image Correlation KW - Cross weld tensile test PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61488 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Development of a component test for assessment of delayed hydrogen assisted cracking susceptibility of thick walled submerged arc welded high strength offshore steels N2 - Offshore Wind Turbines (OWT) are a key factor in tomorrow's sustainable energy generation. The ever-increasing installation depth and weight of OWTs require suitable foundation concepts such as monopiles or tripods. Typically, mild steels such as S420ML are used with plate thicknesses of up to several hundred mm, resulting in high restraints in the welded joints. The large plate thickness requires high-efficiency welding processes such as submerged arc welding (SAW) with multiple wires. Due to the very high stiffness and plate thickness of the large-scale offshore structure, a susceptibility to time-delayed hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) may occur. The evaluation of this crack susceptibility is very complex due to the component size and stiffness of real offshore structures. For this purpose, a near-component test geometry was developed to transfer the real stiffness conditions to laboratory (i.e. workshop) scale. The 350 kg mock-up studied consisted of heavy plates (thickness 50 mm, seam length 1,000 m) joined by a 22-pass submerged-arc weld. Additional stiffeners simulated the effect of high restraint or shrinkage restraint of the weld. Extreme scenarios of hydrogen absorption during welding were simulated by using flux in dry (HD < 5 ml/100g Fe) and wet (HD > 15 ml/100g Fe) conditions. Weld residual stresses were determined using a robotic X-ray diffractometer. Areas of critical tensile residual stress (at the level of the yield strength) were found in the weld metal and in the heat affected zone, suggesting that these weld sub-zones are the most critical in the case of hydrogen ingress. To identify possible delayed cracking, the welds were tested by phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) after welding, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and a maximum of 48 h. Summarized, no significant occurrence of HAC was detected, indicating the high crack resistance of the welded joint, i.e., a suitable combination of base material, welding consumable and parameters. T2 - MSE 2024: International Materials Science and Engineering Congress CY - Darmstadt, Germany DA - 24.09.2024 KW - Hydrogen KW - Offshore wind turbine KW - Component test KW - Submerged arc welding KW - Minimum waiting time PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61154 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Component test for simplified testing of hydrogen‐assisted delayed cold cracking of high‐strength, submerged arc‐welded offshore steel structures N2 - Offshore Wind Turbines (OWT) are a key factor in tomorrow's sustainable energy generation. The ever-increasing installation depth and weight of OWTs require suitable foundation concepts such as monopiles or tripods. Typically, mild steels such as S420ML are used with plate thicknesses of up to several hundred mm, resulting in high restraints in the welded joints. The large plate thickness requires high-efficiency welding processes such as submerged arc welding (SAW) with multiple wires. Due to the very high stiffness and plate thickness of the large-scale offshore structure, a susceptibility to time-delayed hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) may occur. The evaluation of this crack susceptibility is very complex due to the component size and stiffness of real offshore structures. For this purpose, a near-component test geometry was developed to transfer the real stiffness conditions to laboratory (i.e. workshop) scale. The 350 kg mock-up studied consisted of heavy plates (thickness 50 mm, seam length 1,000 m) joined by a 22-pass submerged-arc weld. Additional stiffeners simulated the effect of high restraint or shrinkage restraint of the weld. Extreme scenarios of hydrogen absorption during welding were simulated by using flux in dry (HD < 5 ml/100g Fe) and wet (HD > 15 ml/100g Fe) conditions. Weld residual stresses were determined using a robotic X-ray diffractometer. Areas of critical tensile residual stress (at the level of the yield strength) were found in the weld metal and in the heat affected zone, suggesting that these weld sub-zones are the most critical in the case of hydrogen ingress. To identify possible delayed cracking, the welds were tested by phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) after welding, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and a maximum of 48 h. Summarized, no significant occurrence of HAC was detected, indicating the high crack resistance of the welded joint, i.e., a suitable combination of base material, welding consumable and parameters. T2 - MPA Seminar 2024 - Materials, Processes, Applications CY - Stuttgart, Germany DA - 08.10.2024 KW - Hydrogen KW - Offshore wind turbine KW - Component test KW - Submerged arc welding KW - Minimum waiting time PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-61323 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Rhode, Michael T1 - Bauteilversuch zur Bewertung der wasserstoffunterstützten Rissanfälligkeit geschweißter, dickwandiger Offshore Gründungsstrukturen N2 - Offshore-Windenergieanlagen erfordern Gründungskonzepte aus unterpulver-(UP-)geschweißten Dickblechen (bspw. der Güte S420ML). Während der Schweißfertigung kann eine zeitverzögerte wasserstoffunterstützte Kaltrissbildung auftreten, deren Bewertung aufgrund der Bauteilgröße von Offshore-Strukturen sehr komplex ist. Deswegen wurde eine bauteilähnliche Geometrie (Mock-Up) entwickelt, um reale Steifigkeitsverhältnisse auf den Labormaßstab zu übertragen. Zusätzliche Versteifungen simulieren die Wirkung einer Einspannung bzw. Schrumpfbehinderung der Schweißnaht. Über die Verwendung von Schweißpulvern mit definierter Feuchte wurden zudem ein Extremszenario der Wasserstoffaufnahme simuliert. Entsprechend der vorgegebenen Mindestwartezeit für die ZfP von bis zu 48 h wurde die Schweißnaht zerstörungsfrei mit Phased-Array-Ultraschall-Prüfung (PAUT) geprüft und die Eigenspannungen über Röntgendiffraktometrie (XRD) bestimmt. Zusätzlich wurde die Wasserstoffverteilung in der Schweißverbindung numerisch simuliert. Außer zulässigen Defekten (wie Poren), wurde keine verzögerte Kaltrissbildung in den Mock-Ups festgestellt, was auf hohe Rissbeständigkeit hindeutet. T2 - Tagung Werkstoffprüfung 2023 CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 23.11.2023 KW - Kaltrissbildung KW - Wasserstoff KW - Offshore KW - Bauteilversuch KW - Imperfektion PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58907 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -