Applied Engineering Letters Vol.3, No.

3, 98-104 (2018) e-ISSN: 2466-4847

IMPACT TOUGHNESS OF HIGH-STRENGTH LOW-ALLOY STEEL WELDED

JOINTS
UDC: 621.791
Original scientific paper https://doi.org/10.18485/aeletters.2018.3.3.3

Andreja Ilić1, Lozica Ivanović1, Blaža Stojanović1, Danica Josifović1, Eleonora Desnica2
1
University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Engineering, Kragujevac, Serbia
University of Novi Sad, Technical faculty “Mihajlo Pupin”, Zrenjanin, Serbia
2

Abstract: ARTICLE HISTORY

Impact toughness of samples with three different relative positions of V- Received 17.04.2018.
notch and multipass V- butt welded joint at high-strength low-alloy steel Accepted 02.05.2018.
S690 are considered in this paper. The aim of this paper is to analyze the Available 30.09.2018.
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 KEYWORDS
it is possible. The main objective of impact toughness testing is to evaluate impact toughness, high-
the influence of welding to overall load capacity and stability of welded strength, low-alloy steel,
mechanical construction made of high-strength low-alloy steels. Fully welded joint
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 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.

1. INTRODUCTION On the other side, welded constructions are

complex systems of heterogeneous elements with
Welding procedures are continually developing mechanical properties that are highly dependent
due to the intensive applications of the obtained on its welded joints. The present demands that are
results in fundamental and applied scientific put on welded constructions caused significant
disciplines to meet present demands in mechanical increases in applications of high- strength low-alloy
constructions. An ordinary welding process in steels. Applications of those steels instead of
present industry is based on localized heating and conventional, general purpose structural steels
cooling, which creates inhomogeneous provide many advantages. But, high-strength low-
temperature fields at zones of welded joints. The alloy steels due to specific chemical composition
consequences of applied welding technology and microstructure are highly sensitive to
processes are numerous and heterogeneous by its influences of welding. High-strength low-alloy
nature, such as material inhomogeneity, alteration steels, so as considered S690QL have beneficial
of its chemical compositions, different mechanical properties, but full benefit of
microstructural transformations, etc. applications of those steels can be obtained only

CONTACT: Andreja Ilić, e-mail: andreja.coka@gmail.com

 A. Ilić et al. / Applied Engineering Letters Vol.3, No.3, 98-104 (2018)

by its adequate welding. Optimal welding toughness of weld metal and heat affected zone
technology is the main condition for preserving (HAZ) with different heat inputs to reveal fracture
characteristics and microstructural state of micro-mechanism and to optimize the welding
material after welding, which are the basis of system.
beneficial mechanical properties, and condition of In [3] Costa et al. present a study of the thermal
joining.
behavior and its effect on phase transformations in
High-strength low-alloy steels due to the HAZ, depending on cooling rates to obtain
conditional weldability often require additional continuous cooling transformation (CCT) curves for
procedures to obtain an intended characteristic of an high-strength low-alloy steel. The results
welded joints. The processes of material presented in [3] showed that, with the used
degradation due to welding at those steels can be cooling conditions, the steel did not provide
related to increasing of hardness, a decrease of formation of brittle structures.
toughness, an increase of transition temperature,
The results of research presented in [4] by
the presence of different material discontinuities Sadeghian et ales implicate that the results of
and so on. Initialization of cracks and formation of impact tests revealed that the specimen with low
brittle structures due to welding are related to the heat input exhibited brittle fracture and that with
high cooling speed of weld metal and its high heat input had a higher strength than the
surrounding zone in diapason of temperature in base metals.
which austenite is highly unstable. Considerations The presented results of researches in literature
of mechanical properties of high-strength low-alloy overview point out those properties of welded
steels must be based on its specific characteristics, joints are a key element of structural integrity of
as limited plasticity reserve due to high strength of the welded constructions. Welded structure is a
steels, possible formation of local zones with lower complex system that can be considered from many
plasticity in relation to rest of the construction and aspects. Safety and reliability requirements for
possibility of material discontinuities and welded construction point out that welded joint
initialization of cracks (primarily, hydrogen) during zones have to be considered adequately.
welding at weld metal and heat affected zone. The essence of determining impact toughness
As material discontinues (inclusions, defects, so as a type of fracture in zones of welded joints is
cracks, sharp cuts, etc.) and imperfections are the qualitative analysis of structural integrity due
usually present at zones of welded joints, those to the integrity of its welded joints. Capacity
zones are most dangerous from the aspect of loss calculations analyze and prove mechanical
of structural integrity. From the aspect of resistance and stability of welded structures for
structural integrity, safety and reliability analysis, the expected loads and exploitative conditions.
the measure the amount of energy required to The multiple stress concentrations at zones of
cause fracture is crucial. The welded construction welded joint and mechanical properties of welded
ability to absorb energy without compromising of joints are a major dominant factor to the precision
of analytical models used for calculations. Data
integrity comes in focus of many different types of
obtained from exploitation of welded
research.
constructions showed that mechanical properties
Pamnani with associates in [1] evaluate the of welded joints due to are nature were not
mechanical properties across the SMAW, SAW, adequately take in consideration in present
FCAW and A-GTAW weld joints of micro-alloyed analytical models and capacity calculations. Only
HSLA steel. The correlation between results obtained by experimental testing can be
microstructure, microhardness and tensile taken as relevant to a high degree.
properties obtained using automated ball indent
has been undertaken. 2. EXPERIMENTAL TESTING
Multi-pass submerged arc welding at high-
strength low-alloy steels using multi micro-alloy The testing was done on models made of high-
electrodes with three different heat input strength low- alloy steel S690QL, as the parent
processes was analyzed by Lan and associates in metal, commercially nominated as Weldox 700.
[2] to investigate the microstructure evolution and The used steel is produced by SSAB Oxelösund AB,
corresponding mechanical properties of 613 80 Oxelösund, Sweden and fulfills requirement
weldments. The emphasis was placed on studying classified for EN 10025-6:2004 [5]. The chemical
the influence of microstructure aspects on impact composition of Weldox 700 steel, according to the
producer is presented in Table 1.
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Table 1. Chemical composition of Weldox 700 steel characteristics of related welding consumables are
presented in Table 3.
Chemical Chemical
Content, % Content, % Table 3. Welding parameters and mechanical
element element
characteristics of related welding consumables
C max 0,20 V Max 0,09
Si max 0,60 Cu Max 0,30 Root pass
Mn max 1,6 Ti Max 0,04 Parameter Root pass MMA
MIG
Total max
P max 0,020 Al Current, Iz ≈ 120 A ≈ 110 A
0,015
Voltage, U ≈ 24 V ≈ 24 V
S max 0,010 Mo Max 0,70
Welding speed,
B max 0,0005 Ni max 2,0 ≈ 0.2 cm/s ≈ 0.35 cm/s
vz
Nb max 0,04 N max 0,010
Heat input, ql ≈ 12 kJ/cm ≈ 13 kJ/cm
Cr max 0,07
Penetration, δ ≈ 1.8 mm ≈ 1.8 mm
Protective 100% Ar
Mechanical properties of considered high- -
atmosphere (M11)
strength low- alloy steel S690QL related to specific INOX
plate thickness according to producer data are Welding MIG 18/8/6 Si;
B 18/8/6;
consumables Ø 1.2 mm
min. yield strength - Rp0,2= 700 MPa; tensile Ø 3.25 mm
strength - Rm= 780 – 930 MPa; elongation – Rm, MPa 590-690 560 - 660
А=14%. The used steel is produced in two grades, Mechanical Rp0.2,
properties
> 350 > 380
nominated with suffix E and F in relation to impact MPa
toughness. Values of impact energy for Weldox A5, % > 40 > 35
700 steel determined at V-notch Sharpy specimens > 80 > 40
KV, J
(EN ISO 148-1:2010 and EN 10045-1:1990) are (+ 20ºC) (+ 20ºC)
presented at Table 2 [6,7].
Charpy V-notched samples are prepared
Table 2. Impact energy of Weldox 700 steel according to related standards and norms. The
preparation of samples is done with minimal
Weldox 700E Weldox 700F
additional heat input. The Charpy method of
at -40°C at -60°C
impact toughness test is a standardized high strain-
Min. impact energy 69 Ј 27 Ј rate test for determination of the energy absorbed
Nom. according to by a sample to fracture. The standard dimensions
S690QL S690QL1
EN 10025-6:2004 of the sample for Charpy impact toughness test are
Butt V-joint is done by welding at plates with a presented in Fig.2.
thickness of 15 mm. Microphotography of cross
sections of considered welding joints after
metallographic preparation and chemical etching
by 4% nitric acid in alcohol is presented in Fig.1.

Fig. 2. Standard sample for Charpy impact testing

As the zone of welded joint is indicated as

Fig. 1. Microphotography of cross-sections of critical from the aspect of material degradation V-
considered welded joint notch is done at its specific zones; weld metal,
The root pass is done by MMA welding process fusion zone, and heat affected zone. The method
and welding consumables with a lower strength of the preparation of samples from the aspect of
(pass - 1), while other passes are done by MAG the relative positioning of V-notch and welded
welding process and welding consumables with joint is presented in Fig.3. Preparing of samples is
higher strength (passes - 2, 3 and 4). Welding done with special care in order to avoid additional
parameters for each pass and mechanical heat input, corrosion and other types of material
degradation. Visualization of welded joins is done

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by metallurgical preparation in order to obtain Testing was done using a pre-defined

specific relative position between welded joint and standardized procedure on a series of samples for
V-notch. Testing procedure was design and done in each position of V-notch at a temperature of 20°C.
order to obtained relevant tasting data related to Testing machine is based on the computerized
current industrial practice and usual exploitative Charpy pendulum, presented at Fig.5.
conditions. Impact toughness is a very important The used computerized Charpy pendulum is a
mechanical characteristic of the material that can device for measuring the energy absorbed by the
be defined as a measure of the energy need to be samples to a fracture, which is a measure of
absorbed to cause fracture of the sample or the toughness. The test procedure, the shape, and
compromise the integrity of the structure of dimensions of the samples are defined by the
materials. When this energy is less material having standard EN ISO 148-1: 2010 and EN 10045-1: 1990
a higher brittleness, and when this energy is - Metallic materials - Test impact strength Charpy
greater material having a higher toughness. impact, i.e. SRPS EN ISO 148-1 : 2012. Speed
pendulum during impact strength test is from 5 to
5.5 m / s, while the energy losses are less than 1%.

Fig. 3. Positions of V-notch for preparation of samples

for impact toughness testing Fig. 5. Computerized Charpy pendulum used for testing
The appearance of prepared samples after
The force and energy during testing of impact
preparation for metallurgical preparation and
toughness were registered. The obtained results
chemical etching by 4% nitric acid in alcohol before
show very small relative exceptions and can be
testing are presented in Fig.4. The metallurgical
taken as relevant for further analysis.
preparation and chemical etching were done in
order to visualize specific zones of welded joint.
3. TESTING RESULTS

The experimentally obtained values of fracture

energy and force - time depending during the
fracture of the tested samples show very small
mutual deviations and consistent behavior so the
results can be taken as relevant for further
consideration. Experimental results indicate a
mixed character of fracture of the tested samples.
Force-time dependence to fracture during impact
toughness testing of samples with V-notch at weld
metal from the face of welded joint is presented in
Fig.6.
Fig.4. Charpy V-notched samples

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Fig. 6. Force-time dependence to fracture during Fig. 9. Force-time dependence to fracture during
impact toughness testing impact toughness testing

The changing of the absorbed energy to The changing of the absorbed energy to
fracture for the sample with V-notch at weld metal fracture for the sample with V-notch at fusion zone
from the face of welded joint at testing from the face of welded joint at testing
temperature is shown diagrammatically in Fig.7. temperature is shown diagrammatically in Fig.10.

Fig. 7. Changing of energy to fracture during testing for Fig. 10. Changing of energy to fracture during testing
samples with V-notch at weld metal for samples with V-notch at fusion zone

The appearance of sample with V-notch in Force-time dependence to fracture during

welded joint after testing is presented in Fig.8. The impact toughness testing of samples with V-notch
appearance of the surface created by fracture at HAZ from the face of welded joint is presented
indicates its mixed character means both brittle in Fig.11.
and ductile fracture. The appearance of the
fracture surfaces is in accordance with certain
mechanical characteristics during testing impact
toughness and character of force-time and energy-
time relations. The test procedure is then done at
specimens notched in the fusion zone, as at the
test samples with the notch in the heat affected
zone towards face of the welded joint.
Fig. 11. Force-time dependence to fracture during
impact toughness testing

The changing of the absorbed energy to

fracture for the sample with V-notch at HAZ from
the face of welded joint at testing temperature is
shown diagrammatically in Fig.12.

Fig. 8. Sample with V-notch at welded joint after testing

of impact toughness

Force-time dependence to fracture during

impact toughness testing of samples with V-notch
at fusion zone from the face of welded joint is
presented in Fig.9. Fig. 12. Changing of energy to fracture during testing
for samples with V-notch at HAZ

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Experimentally determined values of fracture fracture surface for samples notched at the heat
energy have small mutual deviation, the relations affected zone toward the face of the welded joints
force - time show the same character, so testing after impact toughness testing at room
results can be taken as relevant for further temperature is shown in Fig.15.
analysis. The histogram presented in Fig.13 show
experimentally obtained fracture energy for
samples with different positions of V-notch
towards to weld face.

Fig. 15. Appearance of fracture surface after testing of

samples notched in HAZ

On fracture surface differ brittle and ductile

fracture zone, indicating a mixed fracture character
of tested sample, which is in agreement with the
experimental values of impact strength and
theoretical considerations related to this area.

Fig. 13. Fracture energy of tested samples 5. CONCLUSION

4. EVALUATION OF THE OBTAINED RESULTS Due to welding microstructural state at heat

affected zone will be transformed in relation to the
Experimentally obtained the value of energy chemical composition of parent and filler metal,
that is absorbed to fracture for different positions thermal cycles due to welding etc. High heat input
of V-notch toward to the face of welded joint it can affected the growth of metal grain that means
be concluded that the maximal energy is obtained degradation of strength and toughness, while low
for samples with the V-notch in the heat affected heat input during welding caused low penetration
zone, while slightly less for samples with the V- of fusion zone. As chemical compositions and
notch at fusion zone. The lowest values of microstructural state are complex altogether with
absorbed energy were obtained for samples with a high sensitivity to heat input, producers of those
notch at the axis of weld metal. The experimentally steels provide recommendations for filler metal
obtained values of energy are lower than at and preheating temperatures, limitations for heat
control samples made of parent material without input and interpass temperatures [8-10].
welded joint. The appearance of the fracture Present norms, standards, and
surface for samples notched in the fusion zone recommendations for the design of welding joints
toward the face of the welded joints after impact at high-strength low-alloy steels are based on
toughness testing at room temperature is heterogeneous backgrounds. Also, limitations are
presented in Fig.14. established for different reasons in order to
provide welded joint with adequate mechanical
properties. On the other side, methods for
improving the impact toughness and load capacity
of welded joints to forming of defect and
inclusions are based, primarily, on relaxing residual
stress state, reducing hydrogen content and
obtaining preferred thermal cycles during welding
and cooling. Due to the complexity of factors and
Fig. 14. Appearance of fracture surface after testing of
samples notched at fusion zone
their interactions, present standards and
recommendations are still not fully developed and
The appearance of the fracture surface shows a precise, especially related to effects of specific
mixed character of fracture with distinct zones of welding parameters to chemical compositions and
brittle and ductile fracture. The appearance of the microstructural state at specific zones of welding

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joints and by that to impact toughness as complex Arc Welding (SAW) Process Approach to
general characteristic caused by a large number of Pipelines. Characterization of Metals and
factors. From the practical aspect and obtaining Alloys, 2017: 85-98.
relevant data for design optimization, mechanical https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31694-9_7
characteristics, and properties, stability and [4] M. Sadeghian, M. Shamanian, A. Shafyei,
integrity analyses of welded joints at this steel Effect of heat input on microstructure and
grade is crucial. Due to complex nature of welded mechanical properties of dissimilar joints
joints, only experimental testing can provide between super duplex stainless steel and high
relevant data and information about the strength low alloy steel. Materials & Design,
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strength low alloyed steels during exploitation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.03.057
[5] EN 10025-6:2004 - Technical delivery
ACKNOWLEDGMENT conditions for flat products of high yield
strength structural steels in the quenched and
This paper is a result of the research activities tempered condition
conducted under the project "Sustainable [6] ISO 148-1:2009 - Metallic materials - Charpy
development of technology and equipment for pendulum impact test - Part 1: Test method
motor vehicles recycling" TR 35033, which is [7] EN 10045-1:1990 - Metallic materials - Charpy
financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and impact test - Part 1: Test method
Technological Development of Republic of Serbia. [8] A. Ilić, Influence of shape complexity,
material, stress concentration and
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Impact in Phase Transformation: Submerged

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