SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH

The research work reported in this thesis concerns

1. The microstructure,hardness, yield strength, impact toughness e.g., of welded
S550Q

This study includes extensive experimental investigations of the HAZ of the

S550Q butt joint and material characterization. The joint testing portion of the
research was performed at temperatures ranging from -20 to 20 C. Some
results were analyzed and assessed using CCT diagrams which are provided
by material manufactures, while the CTOD test results were analyzed using
equations from design guidance documents.

This research solely looks at butt weld joints; fillet welds are excluded.
Specifically, the study is focused on the V-joint and single-bevel butt welds.

The materials used in this study were made with the

1. QT (Quenched and Tempered) method
 All the welds were made using the SMAW (Shielded meta arc welding),SAW (Submerged
arc welding process welding process, so the influence of welding processes is outside the
scope of this work. The heat input during welding was controlled and good workmanship
was applied in all construction phases as the same technician performed all welding
operations. Thus, the potential influence in variations of weld quality was assumed to
be excluded from this research.

An extensive literature analysis was carried out during the preliminary period of this
research project. This literature review covered the study of the different alloying elements
that constitute the microstructure of different types of HSSs, earlier studies of heat input
and cooling time and different levels of matching when welding various types of HSSs.

Experimental investigations

The S550Q is a high strength quenched and tempered steel which is selected
according to the chemical and physical requirement of the project. The S550Q has
met the requirements as we can see in the standards EN 10025-6 table 5 and 6.

The S550Q stands for

S - Structural steel

550 - Yield strength

Q - Quenched and tempered condition and minimum values impact

energies at -20C

Table 3.2 yield and tensile strength condition for S550Q.

 Yield Tensile
Post weld Elongation
Strength Ys Strength
Condition (%)
(Mpa) Ts(Mpa)

Standard 530 620 17

PWHT
20
Typical 550 640 24

1. The tests using standard ASME SEC IX-2015 included reconnaissance and
radiographic inspections, a bending test, a tensile strength test, an impact
(Charpy-V) test, hardness test, microfilming, and macro photography. A
description of these tests is included and follows scientific standards.

2. Shielded Metal Arc Welding of High Strength Quenched and

Tempered Steel
3. The electrode selection is carried out as per standards from ASME
BPVC SEC II C. The electrode is chosen for high strength quenched
and tempered steel by referring the tensile strength of electrode in
standard from ASME BPVC SEC II C SFA 5.5 Table 3.
4. Table 3.1 Electrode Specifications

E9018-G C Mn Si S p Mo

Standard 0.12 1.25-1.75

0.80 0.035 0.035 0.25-0.45
Typical 0.070
1.150 0.440 0.013 0.015 0.330
5.

The steel to be welded is of material S550Q. The high strength steel S550Q is
having dimensions of Length 175mm and Thickness 40mm.Before carrying out the
welding process, the edge preparation is done by carrying out the gas cutting and
grinding to form a Double V at an angle of 60.

After being welded completely it is covered with glass fibre to prevent sudden
cooling and maintained at 120 for two hours.
Submerged Arc Welding of High Strength Quenched and Tempered Steel
(SAW)

Before carrying out the welding process the edge preparation is done by carrying
out the gas cutting and grinding is done to form Double V at an angle of
60.Then the two materials to be welded are held together by means of welding
two supports as shown in the figure 3.14.Welding electrode used in this process is
F9P2-EF3-F3

the high strength steel is pre-heated to a temperature of 120C Then initial

values such as voltage, current, electrode specification, one pass time are noted
after each pass in the datasheet. The submerged arc welding is carried out
completely. After being welded completely it is covered with glass fibre to prevent
sudden cooling and maintained at 120 for two hours

Destructive Testing

The welded material is analyzed for its defects using certain destructive
methods by referring ASME BPVC SEC IX. The main purpose of doing the
destructive testing methods is to check the welded high strength quenched and
tempered steel (S550Q) is having nominal parameters after welding for the
purpose of manufacturing.

1. Standard procedure for Mechanical Testing is referred from ASTM A-370

document.

2. The destructive test is referred from ASTM E8.

3. The Notch impact test is referred from ASTM E23.

4. The vickers hardness test is referred from ASTM E92.

5. The macro etch test is referred from ASTM E381.

6. The Ultrasonic test is referred from ASTM E164.

7. The Dye penetrant test is referred from ASTM E 165M.

8. The Radiographic test is referred from ASTM E 1032.

The Magnetic particle test is referred from ASTM E 1444.