Proceedings of the 2012 9th International Pipeline Conference IPC2012 September 24-28, 2012, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

IPC2012-90738

INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT ON THERMO-MECHANICALLY CONTROLLED ROLLED PIPELINE STEELS
Simon Slater Macaw Engineering Ltd Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK Richard Wilkinson National Grid Warwick, Warwickshire, UK

ABSTRACT Practical options for routing new or diverted pipelines are often limited, which in some cases can lead to the construction of pipelines in potentially seismic or land-slip areas. Designers have advocated the use of heavy wall pipe in these areas; with the potential requirement for girth weld post weld heat treatment (PWHT) to reduce the residual stresses and temper any hard microstructures created during construction welding. A large proportion of high strength, heavy wall pipe is manufactured using thermo-mechanically controlled processed (TMCP) steel plate. It is generally accepted that these steels are not designed for subsequent PWHT and may suffer some degradation in their mechanical properties when re-heated above critical temperatures. A number of standards, specifications and technical publications acknowledge the influence of PWHT on mechanical properties of TMCP plate, but provide limited guidance on how it will affect the properties. Others refer directly to a detrimental effect, such as BS 4514-1, which states when PWHT is carried out it may be necessary to verify the properties of the pipe and the welded joints affected by the heat treatment and EN10208-2 which states subsequent heating of TMCP material above 580C may lower the strength. The response to PWHT of two TMCP pipeline steels used within the UK gas transmission network has been investigated to confirm if the expected degradation in properties occurs and attempt to quantify the scale of any effect. The pipe material tested was L450MB and L555MB (equivalent grade to API5L X65 and X80), with dimensions 1219 mm x 25.4 mm and 1219 mm x 22.9 mm respectively, manufactured using the UOE process and submerged arc welding. The girth welds were manufactured using a manual metal arc process at the National Grid Pipeline Maintenance Centre in the UK.

The PWHT parameters were selected to represent the top end of the temperature and time ranges available in existing standards and literature, theoretically testing the worst case scenario in terms of any possible deleterious effect. The project incorporated a detailed test program of the pipe, longitudinal weld and girth weld in both the as-welded and PWHT condition. The paper describes the tests performed and the results obtained. The mechanical properties of both pipe grades met the minimum requirements of the associated specifications after PWHT. However, a general deleterious effect of PWHT was observed, most significantly for the L555MB material and particularly the longitudinal seam weld. The magnitude of any effect is considered a function of the material chemistry, TMCP parameters, welding consumable and PWHT parameters. PWHT on TMCP pipe materials should be restricted. Where PWHT cannot be avoided, testing should be performed on the specific material to clearly define the magnitude of any deterioration in properties at the proposed PWHT temperature and thermal cycle. INTRODUCTION Modern high strength thermo-mechanically controlled processed (TMCP) steels are not designed to be subjected to post weld heat treatment (PWHT) and may as a consequence suffer degradation in mechanical properties if subjected to particular combinations of temperature and time during PWHT. The effect of PWHT on two grades of steel have been investigated, EN 10208-2 L450MB and L555MB. Both pipes were 1219 mm OD with wall thicknesses of 25.4 mm and 22.9 mm respectively as these represent standard pipe grade & size combinations for heavy wall onshore UK pipelines. THERMOMECHANICALLY ROLLED PLATE TMCP plate rolling processes are characterised by heat and deformation. The mechanical properties are

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determined primarily by a combination of mechanical working, recovery processes, recrystallization, and grain growth. TMCP can be characterised as having lean and sometimes complex micro-alloyed steel compositions with low carbon equivalents for improved weldability. The slab is heated to approximately 1200 C. The initial hot working ("roughing") is carried out in the same way as for normalised or as-rolled plates, but the final hot work reduction or "finishing pass" is carried out at a lower temperature than would be used for these other processes. Plastic deformation at this lower temperature promotes fine grain sizes and retards precipitation. The final hot working may continue down to temperatures well below the Ar3 critical temperature (transformation from austenite to ferrite). This requires heavy rolling equipment, capable of deforming the steel at low temperatures. In order to produce higher strength steels such as X80, whilst maintaining low carbon equivalents for improved weldability and reduced processing/alloying costs in the plate mill, some plate mills also use accelerated cooling as part of the TMCP process. The application of accelerated cooling rapidly reduces the temperature during the final stages of the plate rolling process. The cooling is applied through Ar3 and Ar1 delaying the phase transformation from austenite to ferrite + carbides to produce a more acicular form of ferrite/bainite. The mechanical properties of TMCR (and accelerated cooled) plates are therefore achieved through a complex combination of heat and deformation, and any subsequent heat treatment such as PWHT may impinge upon the temperature ranges used during the plate rolling process and breakdown the strengthening/toughening mechanisms introduced during this process. PWHT OF GIRTH WELDS PWHT is used to reduce residual stress and above certain wall thicknesses there are code requirements dictating the need for girth weld PWHT to ensure adequate toughness unless fracture properties can be demonstrated in the as welded condition. PWHT is an established process and the primary aim of this work was to investigate the effect of PWHT on the TMCP plate/pipe, therefore the effect of PWHT on the girth weld properties are only briefly discussed in this paper with reference to the specification requirements. PROJECT MATERIAL The pipe material was selected to represent typical modern L450MB and L555MB TMCP pipe material; manufactured using the TMCP process, with the L555MB produced using accelerated cooling. Both the pipes were manufactured according to EN10208-2[1] supplemented by the National grid pipe specification[2]. The basic chemical analyses are presented in Table 1 and the mechanical properties from the cast release tests in Tables 2 and 3.

Grade L450MB L555MB

C 0.09 0.07

Si 0.24 0.32

Mn 1.63 1.85

V 0.00 0.06

Nb 0.04 0.06

Ti 0.01 0.02

CEV 0.39 0.44

Table 1: Pipe test certificate chemical analysis Test (full thickness and flattened) Transverse body L450MB tensile Transverse weld tensile Transverse body L555MB tensile Transverse weld 579 Rt0.5 (MPa) 482 Rm (MPa) 597 624 695 717 0.83 21 0.81 E (%) 22.5

Grade

Rt0.5/Rm

tensile Table 2. Pipe test certificate tensile properties Grade Test Test temp. (C) L450MB Body 0 Cv1 (J) 270 Cv2 (J) 255 Cv3 (J) 254 Av (J) 260 128 290 185

Cv L450MB Weld 0 125 129 131 impact Cv L555MB Body 0 278 294 297 impact Cv L555MB Weld 0 186 188 181 impact Cv Table 3. Pipe test certificate Cv impact properties impact

The L450MB steel is a standard C-Mn pipe steel micro-alloyed with Nb with no additions of Ti or V. The P and S levels are low at 0.016 and 0.001 respectively. No specific plate rolling details were made available by the supplying plate mill, however it was confirmed that the plates were rolled as standard TMCR with no accelerated cooling. The L555MB steel is standard C-Mn pipe steel, micro-alloyed with Nb, Ti and V. The P and S levels are very low at 0.009 and <0.001 respectively. No specific plate rolling parameters were available, however it has been confirmed that the plates were rolled with a standard TMCR schedule and accelerated cooling. The microstructures for each steel grade are discussed in more detail in later. PRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT GIRTH WELDS A full circumferential girth weld was produced in each of the two grades of material. Welding was performed at the National Grid Pipeline Maintenance Centre. Specific weld procedure specifications were created for each pipe joint, based on historical data from past projects. As-run welding parameters were recorded during girth welding using portable arc monitoring (PAM) units on both sides of the weld. Girth welding consumables were selected based on conventional construction welding of L450MB and L555MB pipe, with no specific consideration of the subsequent PWHT.

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A summary of the consumables and weld procedure is given in Table 4.

Pass Root Hot pass Consumable Cellulosic E6010 Cellulosic E8010-P1 Low hydrogen E8045-P2 for the L450MB Low hydrogen E10018-G for the L555MB Low hydrogen E8045-P2 for the L450MB Low hydrogen E10018-G for the L555MB (mm) 3.2 5 Direction Vertical up Vertical down Vertical down Polarity Electrode negative Electrode positive Electrode positive

From pass 12 onwards strip passes were utilised to build up the profile in both joints, and the last 3 passes of each joint were capping runs. There is some variation in heat input between side 1 and side 2, based on the individual parameters used by each welder, although it was not considered significant enough to affect the test results. The pipes were inspected visually and by radiography and both found to be within specification. On completion of the welding activities the girth welds were wrapped and allowed to cool in still air. POST WELD HEAT TREATMENT OF THE GIRTH WELDS, LONGITUDINAL SEAM WELDS AND PIPE BODY Post weld heat treatment was performed in an industrial vacuum furnace according to an agreed procedure. The selection of heat treatment parameters was based on guidance given in existing standards and literature. The National Grid pipeline construction welding specification[3], which is supplementary to BS4515-1[4] recommends post weld heat treatment in the range 580-620 C. Guidance in EN10208-2 suggests that post weld heat treatment at a temperature above 580 C may lower the strength of TMCR steels. Guidance in reference [5] suggests post weld heat treatment in the range 550-580 C has little effect on high strength TMCR steel, with the exception of V containing steels. PWHT was therefore performed at a temperature of 620 C to reflect the upper end of the suggested temperature ranges, where any effects associated with the levels of micro-alloying present might be observed. In terms of the PWHT cycle, the National Grid construction welding specification refers to BS 2633[6] that details specific minimum hold times, maximum heating and maximum cooling rates. The parameters used in this project were adopted based on this guidance to ensure that heat treatment was as representative as possible and within the guidelines, whilst promoting the most onerous conditions. The hold time was increased to 2 hours and heating and cooling rates kept below the maximum rates identified in BS2633. The individual furnace batches were grouped in similar volumes of material to promote equivalent heat treatment for each batch. For each batch a hole was drilled into the mid-thickness of a panel and a thermocouple located into the hole with a tight fit. This was done to ensure the temperature of the material through the thickness was recorded and used to control hold time, heating and cooling rate. A summary of the heat treatment cycle ranges is shown in Table 5.

Fill

4.5

Cap

Vertical down

Electrode positive

Table 4. L450MB and L555MB Girth welding parameters

The preheat and inter-pass temperature was set at 100 C minimum and was monitored using a touch pyrometer and tempilstik. The weld was completed by two welders, one either side. One half of each pipe was being tested in the aswelded condition and the other in the PWHT condition, it was therefore important to use a symmetrical sequence so that each side was similar in terms of welding characteristics and heat input. Even under the most controlled condition this cannot be completely guaranteed with manual welding and so some small variation was observed. A graphical depiction of the heat inputs for both joints is presented in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1. Summary of Heat input for the L450MB girth weld

Figure 2. Summary of Heat input for the L555MB girth weld

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Heat treatment stage Heating rate from RT to 400 C (C/hr) Heating rate from 400 C to hold temperature (C/hr) Hold temperature range (C) Hold time at temperature (mins) Cooling rate from hold temperature to 400 C (C/Hr) Cooling rate from 400 C to RT

Range Not controlled

140-150

606-626 Figure 3. L450MB pipe body as112-120 received (x500) Figure 4. L450MB pipe body PWHT (x500)

124-144

Not controlled

Table 5. Recorded heat treatment parameters

MATERIAL TESTING PROGRAM A comprehensive test plan for the pipe (including seam weld) and girth weld was defined based on the requirements of the National Grid pipe and construction welding specifications respectively. The material was tested in the as-received (or aswelded for girth weld testing) condition for direct comparison with the PWHT results. In order to remove test location as a variable the girth welds were split in half with as-welded tests taken from one half and PWHT tests taken from the other half, with all test locations mirrored across the two sides. For the pipe longitudinal seam and pipe body tests the as welded and PWHT specimens were taken adjacent to each other along the length of the pipe. TEST RESULTS Testing of the pipe body and longitudinal weld seam Microstructural examination A microstructural examination was performed in the as-received and PWHT condition for both the pipe body and longitudinal seam weld, examples of the microstructure are presented in Figures 3-10.

Figure 5. L450MB seam weld as-welded (x500)

Figure 6. L450MB seam weld PWHT (x500)

Figure 7. L555MB pipe body asreceived (x500)

Figure 8. L555MB pipe body PWHT (x500)

Figure 9. L555MB seam weld as-welded (x500)

Figure 10. L555MB seam weld PWHT (x500)

Tensile testing Testing was performed using transverse round bar and transverse flattened strap. The Rt0.5 and Rm values are presented graphically in Figure 11 and 12. Included in the Figures are the

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two cast release test results performed at the pipe mill and the minimum specification requirements.

Figure 15. L555MB As-welded macro

Figure 16. L555MB PWHT macro

Figure 11. L450MB tensile test results

Figure 17. L450MB As-received hardness results

Figure 18. L450MB PWHT hardness results

Figure 12. L555MB tensile test results

Figure 19. L555MB As-received hardness results

Figure 20. L555MB PWHT hardness results

Macro and hardness testing The macro photographs in the as-welded and PWHT conditions are presented in Figures 13-16. In order to gain the most comprehensive information regarding the hardness values, a Vickers Hv10 hardness survey was performed according to Fig H1 b) of API5L[7].The hardness results are presented in Figures 17-20.

Charpy impact testing Charpy impact testing was performed in the pipe body and weld centreline at 0 C. The tests were taken from the subsurface location as required by the National Grid pipe specification. The results are presented in Figures 21-24, which include the cast release tests from the pipe mill.

Figure 13. L450MB As-welded macro

Figure 14. L450MB PWHT macro

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Testing of the girth weld Tensile testing Cross weld tensile tests were performed on the girth weld to ensure overmatching was maintained after PWHT. Macro and hardness testing The macro photographs of the girth welds from the 3 o clock position are presented in Figures 25-28. Hardness surveys were performed on both the as-welded and PWHT girth welds, at the 3 o clock and 6 o clock positions according to T/SP/P/2. The results are presented in Figures 2932.

Figure 21. L450MB body Charpy impact test results

Figure 25. L450MB As-welded macro Figure 22. L450MB seam weld centreline Charpy test results

Figure 26. L450MB PWHT macro

Figure 27. L555MB As-welded macro

Figure 28. L555MB PWHT macro

Figure 23. L555MB body Charpy impact test results

Figure 29. L450MB As-welded girth weld hardness survey

Figure 30. L450MB PWHT girth weld hardness survey

Figure 24. L555MB seam weld centreline Charpy impact test results

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Figure 31. L555MB As-welded girth weld hardness survey

Figure 32. L555MB PWHT girth weld hardness survey Figure 35. L555MB girth weld centreline Cv results

Charpy impact testing Charpy impact testing was performed in the root pass and cap centreline and HAZ location at -10 C in accordance with the National Grid pipe and construction welding specification; the results are presented in Figures 33-36.

Root 3 o clock location

Root 6 o clock location

Cap 6 o clock location

Figure 36. L555MB girth weld HAZ Cv results Figure 33. L450MB girth weld centreline Cv results

DISCUSSION The effect of PWHT on pipe body and longitudinal seam weld Microstructure The L450MB pipe starting microstructure is a typical combination of ferrite/pearlite with a significant amount of carbide banding throughout the thickness. As expected for this standard C-Mn TMCP material there was no significant change in microstructure after PWHT, except for perhaps a small change in the pearlite carbide morphology. There has been almost no effect of PWHT on the seam weld microstructure, which has retained a predominately acicular ferrite structure. The longitudinal weld seam wire used was a conventional CMn-Si-Mo wire. The L555MB pipe has a very fine bainitic/acicular ferrite microstructure, typical of high strength L555MB pipe rolled with heavy accelerated cooling. The microstructure is uniform throughout the thickness, which confirms an effective accelerated cooling process in the plate mill. There has been a

Figure 34. L450MB girth weld HAZ Cv results

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small change in microstructure after PWHT; it appears the microstructure has developed a more acicular/polygonal ferrite appearance (which is still very fine). Although 620 C is below the phase transformation temperature, A1, it could be at or approaching the range in which some changes in the structure may occur, particularly as 620 C will be above the finish accelerated cooling temperature and the density of high angle grain boundaries in the bainitic microstructure will act as driving force for change. There appears to have been a small change in microstructure in the seam weld microstructure, although the acicular structure remains. The weld consumable used for the higher strength L555MB longitudinal seam weld is alloyed with titanium and boron to promote an acicular ferrite microstructure. Tensile properties PWHT at 620 C appears to have produced a small reduction in the tensile properties of both the L450MB and L555MB pipes. The drop in Rm is fairly consistent across the different specimen types, in the region of 20-30 MPa. The effect of PWHT on Rt0.5 is less clear although it does show a small drop for both types of transverse specimen of around 1015 MPa. The drop in tensile properties is likely due to the general effect of stress-relieving and some over-ageing (coarsening) of carbides. In terms of the V containing L555MB material, some precipitation of principally Vanadium Carbides/Cabonitrides, V(CN), would be expected. At lower temperatures these would initially lead to an increase in strength. However at higher temperatures and hold times, these precipitates will coarsen leading to a subsequent fall in strength. The ageing effect is clearly demonstrated in the stress/strain curves as shown in Figures 37 and 38, where the typical roundhouse curve exhibited in cold expanded SAW pipe stress/strain curves has changed to a knee type curve typical of that observed in the plate material before forming.

due to the well documented Bauschinger effect[8,9]. The difference between the cast release flat tensile test performed in the pipe mill and the flat tensile test performed at the test house could be due to differences in the flattening procedure or an ageing affect. These observations suggest that round bar tensile specimens are the most appropriate type to use in analytical studies of mechanical properties, however some consideration of the microstructure sampled through the thickness by a transverse round bar is required, particularly for heavy wall pipe, where the microstructure may vary through the thickness depending on plate mill capability and rolling schedule. There is some doubt whether the PWHT flattened strap is a representative result or there has been an error/anomaly during testing. Notwithstanding this, as mentioned previously the round bar tensile is considered the most appropriate test as the additional plastic deformation during the flattening process is avoided completely. The cross weld tensile Rm values are consistent with the other tensile test results and confirm a small drop in strength. In both conditions the break occurred outside of the weld, confirming that overmatching of the longitudinal seam weld is maintained after PWHT. It should be noted that the drop in strength is small and although appears consistent, changes in strength of this magnitude are quite possible due to general test variation and scatter. Whether the observed reduction in strength is enough to cause significant concern is dependent on the distribution of tensile properties across the supplied production quantity of pipe. Obviously any pipes delivered at the bottom end of the strength distribution, close to the SMYS, would be at risk of dropping slightly below the SMYS after PWHT. However in the majority of cases linepipe is supplied with the lower end of the strength distribution some way above the SMYS (controlled internally at the pipe mill to reduce the probability of failures during release testing). Weld macros and hardness The hardness measurements demonstrate the effect of PWHT in reducing the hardness in the HAZ and pipe body material. The reduction in hardness in the pipe body is in agreement with a small drop in strength observed in the tensile testing. It appears that PWHT has led to a small increase in weld metal hardness. The change is only 10 Hv10 but appears more significant on the hardness surveys, due to the drop in HAZ hardness. In both conditions the hardness levels are well below the maximum requirement for L450MB of 260 Hv10. There has been a more significant increase in weld hardness after PWHT in the L555MB pipe than that observed for the L450MB seam weld. This is likely to be a result of precipitation of V(CN), throughout the weld region. Although the seam weld consumables do not contain V, there is a significant degree of dilution of the pipe material (generally accepted as around 70%) into the weld and so the microalloying elements in the steel are drawn into the weld. Due to the high cooling rate of the weld there will be a significant amount of micro-alloying retained in solution that can

Figure 37. L450MB as-received transverse round bar tensile stress v strain curve

Figure 38. L450MB PWHT transverse round bar tensile stress v strain curve

The relative drops in Rt0.5 and Rm means the yield to tensile ratio remains relatively unaffected. For all test types the elongation appears to have increased slightly, again as a consequence of the stress relieving effect of the PWHT. There are some differences in measured properties across the specimen types, which merit comment. The difference in yield strength recorded for round bar and flattened strap specimens is

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precipitate out (and coarsen overage) during the post weld heat treatment process. In addition the OD weld consumable contains a Mo addition, which itself increases the hardenability of the weld. Regardless of the effect discussed above, the hardness values measured in both conditions are well below the requirement for L555MB pipe of 300 Hv10 in the National Grid construction welding specification Impact toughness There has been no effect of PWHT on the Charpy impact energy in the pipe body for either pipe grades. This may be due in part to the test temperature. At 0 C the material is likely to be on the upper shelf. Any effect of PWHT will be evident in a change in the ductile/brittle transition temperature and therefore the effect of PWHT on body material may only be apparent when tested at lower temperatures, within the transition region. PWHT appears to have led to a slight decrease in the weld Charpy impact energy of the L450MB seam weld, which may be due to some coarsening of the microstructure. The reduction in Charpy impact energy is not significant enough to drop below the minimum requirements in the National Grid pipe specification. The difference could simply be due to natural variation in toughness and scatter within the weld metal transition region. The level of toughness in the as-welded condition is not particularly high and inspection of the fracture surface from as-welded Charpy samples indicates some brittle fracture, suggesting the weld is approaching or within the transition region. There has been a much more significant effect of PWHT on the weld toughness in the L555MB seam weld. The recorded impact energies are just above the minimum requirements of 41 J. This loss of weld toughness is considered to be a result of precipitation of V(CN) throughout the weld. The presence of these V(CN), particularly if they are coarsened, will have a significant effect of reducing toughness, acting as initiators for cleavage fracture. The observed drop in tensile properties and deleterious effect on seam weld toughness is in agreement with that expected based on preliminary discussions with the supplying plate and pipe mills and selected references[10,11]. Effect of PWHT on the girth weld The effect of PWHT on the girth weld is of secondary interest as the application of PWHT is well established. However, of particular interest was the effect of the PWHT on the specified properties required of the pipe body material and longitudinal seam weld adjacent to the girth weld, which are discussed below. Girth Weld tensile properties The tensile properties in the L450MB girth weld were investigated through cross weld tensile complemented by the hardness examination. The cross weld tensile tests failed outside of the weld and the Rm values were above the minimum

requirements, confirming that the girth weld remained overmatched after PWHT. Girth weld hardness There has been a general reduction in hardness throughout the weld as a result of the PWHT, particularly for the HAZ, confirming the expected beneficial effect of PWHT for girth welds. The values in the weld both before and after PWHT are well below the maximum requirements in the National Grid construction welding specification of 275 Hv10 and 300 Hv10 for the L450MB and L555MB respectively. There is no discernible difference in the 3 and 6 o clock locations were variations could be evident due to the effect of welding position on heat input. To investigate the effect of PWHT on the longitudinal weld and pipe material adjacent to the girth weld in more detail, longitudinal macro sections were taken from the locations where the seam weld meets the girth weld known as the T section. The macro sections are shown in Figures 39-42 and the hardness traverses in Figures 43-46.

Figure 39. L450MB T section as-welded

Figure 40. L450MB T section PWHT

Figure 41. L555MB T section aswelded

Figure 42. L555MB T section PWHT

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Notwithstanding any scatter in results, the PWHT appears to have led to a drop in Charpy energy of the L555MB girth weld and HAZ, Figures 35 and 36, which is presumably driven by the dilution of the highly alloyed seam chemistry into the girth weld; however further testing would be required to confirm this. The results are still within the specification requirements. FURTHER WORK In view of the observed Tensile and Charpy impact results, testing across a significant number of pipes representative of a production order is required to give statistical relevance to the data and quantify the probability of properties falling below the specification minimum requirements after PWHT. In addition, to investigate more fully the effect of PWHT on pipe body and weld toughness full transition curves should be defined. The requirement to investigate any effect of PWHT on TMCP linepipe is becoming more common, with it being considered in company specifications as a test requirement in the pipe mill as part of the manufacturing procedure qualification or during pipe production. This will provide some assurance that the pipe will retain the required properties after PWHT and will facilitate the creation of robust data sets for consideration on future projects. At this stage no studies have been made as to the temperature/hold time limit, below which no effect of PWHT is observed. This would require further study, with careful selection of the appropriate tests and material sampling. CONCLUSIONS The response to PWHT of two TMCP pipeline steels used within the UK gas transmission network has been investigated to confirm if the expected degradation in properties occurred and attempt to quantify the scale of any effect. The conclusions from this work are: The most significant effect of PWHT was observed in the pipe body and longitudinal weld seam, although all the requirements of the pipe standard EN 10208-2 and supplementary National Grid specification have been met. PWHT resulted in a consistent reduction in strength in the range of 10-30 MPa for both the L450MB and L555MB pipes. Although a drop in strength of this limited magnitude could be attributed to general variation in testing, the fact that it has been associated with some observed microstructural changes and a general reduction in body and HAZ hardness in both pipe grades, it is considered likely to be a true reflection of the effect of PWHT for the materials tested. Overmatching strength of the longitudinal seam weld was maintained after PWHT. There has been no significant effect of PWHT on the Charpy toughness of the L450MB pipe and seam weld. PWHT had a deleterious effect on the L555MB seam weld toughness, with results just above the specified minimum requirement of 41 J.

Figure 43. L450MB As-welded T section hardness

Figure 44. L450MB PWHT T section hardness

Figure 45. L555MB As-welded T section hardness

Figure 46. L555MB PWHT T section hardness

Girth welding has increased the hardness in the longitudinal seam weld & HAZ, evident by comparing Figure 43 with Figure 17 and Figure 45 with Figure 19. The hardness in the cap of the L555MB SAW weld is particularly high, at around 300 Hv10. This is an interesting observation in itself and confirms the need to consider hardness testing of the T sections for general girth welding procedure qualifications. This is a requirement of the National Grid pipeline construction specification for L555MB (X80) grade materials. PWHT has reduced the hardness in the girth weld, HAZ and to some extent the SAW longitudinal weld. The values both before and after PWHT are well below the maximum requirements of the National Grid construction welding specification. It should be noted that the T section has only been assessed in one plane through the region, sampling only the microstructures present at that specific position. A more detailed study on the effect of girth welding and subsequent PWHT on the existing longitudinal seam weld and HAZ would require assessment of a number of longitudinal sections taken through the width of the seam weld. Girth weld impact toughness PWHT has had no effect on the Charpy impact energy in the L450MB girth weld centerline or HAZ, as shown in Figures 33 and 34, and the results are all well above the minimum requirements. There is a higher degree of scatter in the HAZ locations, which is expected due the sampling of different microstructures across the notch front.

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 The L555MB seam weld hardness has increased after PWHT, although not to a level that encroaches on the maximum specification requirement. The girth welds appear to have suffered no significant deleterious effects of PWHT at 620 C, and the requirements of the National Grid construction welding specification have been met in both the as-welded and PWHT condition. Overmatching strength of the girth weld was maintained after PWHT. PWHT has reduced the hardness throughout the L450MB and L555MB girth welds. There appears to be a general reduction in weld and HAZ toughness in the L555MB girth weld after PWHT. The data generated in this work suggests that a PWHT temperature of 620 C is not optimal for pipe manufactured using the type of TMCP plate material investigated. It is recommended that the use of PWHT on TMCP pipe materials is restricted, and for cases where PWHT cannot be avoided testing should be performed on the specific material to define any deleterious effect on the pipe body, pipe seam weld and girth weld at the proposed PWHT temperature and thermal cycle. REFERENCES [1] EN10208-2 Steel pipes for pipelines for combustible fluidsTechnical delivery conditions for pipes of requirement class B. [2] TS-C4GAS-PIP0 National Grid specification for steel pipes for pipelines. [3] T/SP/P/2 Welding of land pipelines and installations designed to operate at pressures greater than 7 bar. [4] BS4515 Specification for welding of steel pipelines on land and offshore, 2009. [5] Weldability aspects of offshore steels, Frank Hanus et al, Dillinger Hutte GTS commercial paper. [6] BS2633, Specification for Class I arc welding of ferritic steel pipework for carrying fluids, 1987. [7] API 5L Specification for Line Pipe, 44th edition 2008. [8] A. Abel; Historical Perspective & Some of the Main Features of the Bauschinger Effect, Materials Forum, Vol. 10, (pp 11 26), 1987. [9] R.C. Ratnapuli & E.C. Rodrigues; Bauschinger Effect in API X60 Linepipe Steels, The Metals Society, Vol. 9, (pp 440 445) 1982. [10] Fabrication of hot induction bends from LSAW large diameter pipes manufactured from TMCP plate, E Muthmann & F Grimpe, Microalloyed steels for the Oil & Gas Industry International Symposium, 2006 Brazil. [11] Review of the influence of microalloying elements on weld properties, Internal EPRG report.

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