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For a significant increase in the strength of high-strength fine-grained structural steels with a nominal yield strength ≥690 MPa, the addition of microalloying elements such as Nb and Ti is required. The standard specifications for the chemical composition of these steels (e.g., in EN 10025-6) often only give the manufacturer limit contents to achieve the defined properties. The effect of the alloying elements in the heat affected zone (HAZ) is sometimes completely contrary.
This makes it difficult to adequately predict the batch dependency regarding weldability and the load-bearing behaviour of the welded joint. Three different micro-alloyed steels of the grade S690QL were produced on a laboratory scale, focusing on different Nb and Ti contents. To investigate the tempering effect, these were gas metal arc welded in three layers. In addition to metallographic investigations of individual HAZ areas, thermodynamic phase calculations were carried out using Thermo-Calc, following variations in the chemical composition. This provides an understanding of phase transformation, precipitation growth, and dissolution during welding as a function of temperature and cooling conditions. The results show
a divergent metallurgical behaviour in the HAZ of the three different micro-alloyed steels. Thereby, the Ti micro-alloyed grade showed a strong softening of the HAZ in contrast to the Nb micro-alloyed grade. This can be attributed to a contrary precipitation behaviour during welding.
Microalloying elements, such as Nb and Ti, are essential for significantly increasing the strength of quenched and tempered, high-strength structural steels with a nominal yield strength ≥ 690 MPa and their welded joints. The standard specifications (e.g., EN 10025-6) for the chemical composition are only tolerated limit contents within which the steel manufacturers operate. The standard composition, however, says nothing per se about the properties of the material. Even small deviations in the alloy route can have a drastic effect on the mechanical properties. This makes it difficult or even impossible to adequately predict the weldability and integrity of the welded joint. An undesirable side effect is the possible softening of the heat-affected zone (HAZ), as well as the opposite hardening.Mechanical-technological investigations of the notched impact strength confirm the results of the simulation regarding the development of different microalloy routes in the welded state. From this, the influence of the heat effect of welding on the microstructure formation in the HAZ and the corresponding mechanical properties can be described qualitatively.
For a significant increase in the strength of quenched and tempered, high-strength structural steels with a yield strength > 690 MPa, the addition of micro-alloying elements such as Nb and Ti is essential. The standard specifications for the chemical composition of these steels (e.g. in DIN EN 10025-6) often only specify limit contents for the manufacturer to achieve the specified properties. The effect of the alloying elements or their carbides and/or nitrides is sometimes completely contrary, especially in the case of dissolution and re-precipitation in the HAZ with identical filler metal. This makes it difficult to adequately predict the batch dependency regarding the weldability and the load-bearing behaviour of the welded joint. In addition, modern welding processes, such as GMAW with modified spray arc, can negatively influence the phase transformation in the heat-affected zone due to their high heat input. An undesirable property is the softening of the HAZ, as well as the opposite effect of hardening. Against this background, microalloying routes with varying Ti and Nb contents of the high-strength and quenched and tempered structural steel S690QL are systematically investigated within the framework of a DFG project. For this purpose, GMAW welding with modified spray arc is used, which is characterised by high deposition rate and allows narrower joint opening angles (α = 30°). The effect of metallurgical composition in combination with high heat exposure on the formation of a critical HAZ microstructure zone with softening and/or excessive hardening is investigated on these welds. Special attention is paid to the phase transformations and precipitation behaviour in the microstructure of the heat-affected zone and weld metal. In addition to extensive metallographic investigations of individual HAZ areas, thermodynamic phase calculations were carried out using ThermoCalc while varying the chemical composition. This provides an understanding of phase transformation and precipitation growth and dissolution during welding as a function of temperature and cooling conditions. The aim is to show the influence of the heat effect on the microstructure formation in the HAZ by means of initial investigations. Particular attention is paid here to the effect of the different microalloying concepts (Ti or Nb).