Towards friction welding to API grade B steel pipes

Abstract

Solid-state based welding processes have been a noticeable joining alternative in comparison to conventional fusion welding technologies. The feasibility of friction welded API grade B pipes was investigated in the current study. Therefore, many joints were evaluated by metallography, microhardness, bending and tensile tests. Starting from thirteen joints defined by Box–Behnken design; macro and microstructure investigations were initially used to select satisfactory conditions. Afterwards, six welded joints were analyzed by bending tests. Then, the four welding conditions approved in bending were investigated by tensile testing. Hence, this work aimed to obtain an appropriate processing route for producing sound joints. The findings show suitable welds with acceptable macro and microstructural features, samples bent without cracking, and optimized average ultimate tensile strength.

Keywords

• Friction welding
• API grade B steel
• API X65 PSL2
• mechanical properties