Structure–property relationship assessment of dissimilar gas tungsten arc welded joint of pipeline steel and super duplex stainless steel for marine applications

This study investigates the structure–property relationship in a dissimilar joint between super duplex stainless steel (sDSS 2507) and pipeline steel (X-70) using gas tungsten arc welding and ER2594 filler. Tubing and risers used to transport hydrocarbons are regularly joined using these dissimilar metals. The microstructures of lower heat input (LHI-0.7 kJ/mm) and higher heat input (HHI-1.4 kJ/mm) weldments were examined to understand the influence of heat input on the structure–property relationship. The weldments' mechanical characteristics were tested via hardness, impact, and tensile tests. Base metal and weld zone/interface characterization were studied utilizing optical and scanning electron microscopes with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Elemental variation was confirmed by EDS spectra, elemental line mapping, and electron probe microanalysis with wavelength-dispersive spectrometer along the weld interface and weld zone. Significant microstructure variation was observed in X-70 BM at the LHI and HHI weld interfaces. Type II boundary and macro-segregation forms like peninsulas and islands were present in both weldments. In LHI and HHI weldment, duplex microstructure dominates the weld zone cap and filler pass. In the backing pass, duplex microstructure replaces skeletal ferrite, which predominates in the root pass of the HHI weld zone. LHI weldment has an average microhardness of 275 ± 7 HV0.5, while HHI had 285 ± 5 HV0.5. Both weldment’s tensile tests revealed that the sample fractured on the weaker X70 BM side. LHI and HHI weldments had 600 MPa and 610 MPa ultimate tensile strengths and 22% and 18% elongation percentages, respectively. LHI weldments (200 ± 7 J, 210 ± 4 J) and HHI weldments (210 ± 5 J, 220 ± 8 J) have lower average impact toughness in cap and root pass than the sDSS 2507 BM (320 ± 3 J) and X-70 BM (300 ± 6 J), respectively. The increase in heat input led to a minimal 2% difference in tensile strength, a notable 10% increase in hardness, and a slight 5% variation in impact toughness between LHI and HHI weldments. Marine and offshore applications may benefit from investigating the sDSS 2507/X-70 DWJ's process parameter selection, thermodynamic analysis, and structure–property relationship.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025)