Microstructure and Toughness of Weld Heat-Affected Zone in Cu-containing HSLA-100 steel

Cu를 함유한 HSLA-100강 용접 열영향부의 미세 조직 및 인성

A study was made to characterize the microstructures and mechanical properties of the base metal and the heat-affected zone(HAZ) in Cu-bearing HSLA-100 steel. The Gleeble thermal/mechanical simulator was used to simulated the weld HAZ. The relationship between microstructure and toughness of HAZ was studied by impact test, O. M, SEM, TEM, and DSC. The toughness requirement of military specification value was met in all test temperatures for the base metal. The decrease of HAZ toughness comparing to base plate is ascribed to the coarsed-grain and the formation of bainite. Obliquely sectioned Charpy specimens show that secondary crack propagate easily along bainite lath. Improved toughness(240J) at HAZ of $Tp_2=950^{\circ}C$ is due to the fine grain, and reasonable toughness(160~00J) in the intercritical reheated HZA is achieved by the addition of small amount of carbon which affects the formation of "M-A". Cu precipitated during ageing for increasing the strength of base metal is dissolved during single thermal cycle to $1,350^{\circ}C$ and is precipitated little on cooling and heating during subsequent weld thermal cycle. Thus, the decrease of toughness does not occur owing to the precipitation of Cu.