Welding procedure effect on the properties of microalloyed steel welded joints for metal fabrication

The objective of this work was, in this first step, to compare mechanical property and microstructure of the steel HIC, alloyed with Nb-Ti-Cu-Ni, corrosion resistant, to those of a normal steel NOR, microlloyed with Nb-V-Ti, characterized through chemical analysis, hardness measurements, metallographic studies and tensile and Charpy-V properties. The preheating temperature was established through Tekken tests at different temperatures, according to JIS Z 3158 standard. Pipes of these materials were used to carry out girth weldments utilizing different welding processes. Two welding procedures were designed: a) all the welds with SMAW; b) first bead with GMAW-CO2 shielding and the rest of them with FCAW-S. The welding procedures were qualified according to API 1104 Code. The results of metallographic studies and mechanical tests (tensile properties, Charpy-V and hardness) showed welding consumable influence as well as that of the base metal on the properties of the joints. Consumables from different origins and same specification also generated different results. From the combinations used optimal conditions were determined for welding of these steels.