Study of residual stresses generated in P91 pipe steel welded by MCAW / FCAW processes

The welding is one of the main industrial manufacturing processes structures and piping, knowledge of residual stress from this process is of paramount importance because the mechanical properties of welded components are not only determined by the microstructures present in the joint, but also by residual stresses heterogeneous introduced by thermal cycling during the process. The aim of this work is the characterization ASTM P91 joints welded by MCAW / FCAW (Metal Cored Arc Welding / Flux Cored Arc Welding) processes through the residual stresses evaluating associated with welding and post-weld heat treatments. Residual stresses were measured using X-rays diffraction sin2psi method, with Crκα radiation and they presented tensile at the root joints with larger magnitudes in the weld metal region and compressive on the surface. The post weld heat treatment resulted relief of residual stresses at the root of the joints. However, the same effect was observed in compressive surface stresses, which could adversely affect the service life of the pipe, reducing the fatigue and stress corrosion cracking resistances. (author)