Akio Sato

Recent Development of HFW Linepipe With a High-Quality Weld Seam Suitable for Sour Service Environments

Based on the appreciable progress being made in quality control and assurance technology for the electric resistance welding process, the number of applications for high-frequency electric resistance welded (HFW) linepipe in highly demanding, severe environments, such as offshore and sour environments, has gradually increased. Resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) is the most important property for a linepipe to possess for use in sour environments. However, resistance to HIC, especially along the longitudinal weld seam, has not yet been fully related to metallurgical factors.In this study, to clarify the effects of inclusions on the sour resistance properties of X60- to X70-grade steels, their resistances to HIC were numerically simulated. For the simulation, the steels were assumed to have a yield strength of 562 MPa and a tensile strength of 644 MPa. To estimate the effect of nonmetallic inclusions, a virtual inclusion was situated at the center of a 10-mm-thick HIC test specimen. Tests were performed using NACE test solution A.The crack propagation rate was calculated as a function of the content of diffusible hydrogen, the diameter of the inclusion, and the fracture toughness of the matrix after hydrogen absorption. In the propagation calculation, the resistance to chemical reactions at the interface of the inclusion matrix was also considered to be a delaying factor. By assuming a resistance to chemical reactions at the interface, the crack propagation rate could be fitted to the actual HIC propagation rate.Based on the numerical simulation results, HFW linepipe with a high-quality weld seam was developed. Controlling the morphologies and distributions of oxides generated during the welding process is the key factor for improving the resistance to HIC. Using a combination of optimized chemical composition, microstructure and oxide content, the weld seam of the developed X70-grade HFW steel pipe showed excellent resistance to HIC.Copyright

Metallurgical Design and Performance of HFW Linepipe With a High-Quality Weld Seam Suitable for Sour Services

To clarify the effects of inclusions on the sour resistance properties of X60- to X70-grade steel, their resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) was numerically simulated. The steel was assumed to have a yield strength of 562 MPa and a tensile strength of 644 MPa for the simulation. To estimate the effect of nonmetallic inclusions, a virtual inclusion was situated at the center of a 10-mm-thick HIC test specimen. Tests were performed using NACE test solution A. The crack initiation criterion was determined as a function of the diffusible hydrogen concentration, the diameter of the inclusion, the edge radius of the inclusion, and the fracture toughness of the matrix after hydrogen absorption. The crack propagation was calculated as a function of the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in the steel matrix and the gasification reaction ratio of hydrogen at the interface of the steel matrix and the inclusion.Based on the results of the numerical estimation, high-frequency electric resistance welded (HFW) Linepipe with a high-quality weld seam was developed. Controlling the morphology and distribution of oxides generated during the welding process by means of temperature and deformation distribution control is the key factor for improving resistance to HIC.Copyright

Metallugical Design and Performance of ERW Linepipe With High-Quality Weld Seam Suitable for Extra-Low-Temperature Services

To clarify the effect of inclusions on the Charpy impact properties, the 2 mm V-notched Charpy properties of X60 – X80-grades steel were numerically simulated using the finite element method code ABAQUS. The yield strength and the tensile strength of the steel were 562 MPa and 644 MPa, respectively. The striker’s velocity and the temperature dependency of the stress-strain curve were taken into account. To estimate the effect of nonmetallic inclusions, a 200 μm long virtual inclusion with a 1 μm edge radius was situated at the maximum point of the stress triaxiality. Four types of micro crack initiation were determined: (a) ductile void generation in the matrix, (b) cleavage crack generation in the matrix, (c) void generation by inclusion fracture and (d) void generation by matrix-inclusion interface debonding. Without inclusions, a ductile micro void was generated when the striker stroke was 3.3 mm, independent of the temperature. With inclusions, an inclusion fracture occurred when the striker stroke was 0.6 mm at room temperature. The striker stroke decreased as the temperature decreased.Based on the above numerical estimation results, electric resistance welded (ERW) Linepipe with high-quality weld seam MightySeam® has been developed. Controlling the morphology and distribution of oxides generated during the welding process by means of temperature and deformation distribution control is the key factor for improving the low-temperature toughness. The Charpy transition temperature of the developed ERW pipe was much lower than −45°C. Based on the low-temperature hydrostatic burst test with a notched weld seam at −20 °C, the MightySeam® weld provides a fracture performance that is the same as UOE Double Submerged Arc Welded pipe. The pipe has been used in actual, highly demanding, severe environments.© 2012 ASME