Impact toughness of high-strength low-alloy steel welded joints

Abstract

Impact toughness of samples with three different relative positions of V-notch and multipass Vbutt welded joint at high-strength low-alloy steel S690 are considered in this paper. The aim of this paper is to analyze the influence of material degradation due to welding to impact toughness of samples made of considered steel. Impact toughness was analyzed by experimental approach objected to including as many influential factors as it is possible. The main objective of impact toughness testing is to evaluate the influence of welding to overall load capacity and stability of welded mechanical construction made of high-strength low-alloy steels. Fully understanding of transformation processes provoked by welding of high-strength low-alloy steels and impact toughness testing as resulting property of those processes are crucial to perform integrity, safety and reliability analysis. This paper pointed out the necessity of analyzing the welded constructions on different dimension levels. Further investigations in this area have to be a continued through more quantitative analysis of welded joints which will, established precise analytical model of zones of welded joints, and furthermore, in involvement with adequate software, a complete evaluation of the experimentally obtained results. As the chemical composition and microstructural state of high-strength low-alloy steel originate from special production process their nature must be fully understood during selection and definition of welding even during the design process of mechanical construction. As experimentally obtained results of impact toughness that correlate to microstructure and microhardness distribution implicated that development of those steels must be followed with improving weld processes and development, adjusting and modification of the design.