PR-214-204505-R01 HAZ Softening Susceptibility Test Development

Based on the investigation of the recent pipe failures, it was clear that HAZ softening was one of the contributing factors. To understand the factors that influence the susceptibility to HAZ softening, a simple weld bead-on-plate testing procedure achieving a full penetration weld was developed in in this project. Test conditions are designed to maximize the effect in an effort to identify line pipe materials that may be more or less resistant to HAZ softening in construction or in-service welding. This work provides industry with a standardized test to rank the relative susceptibility of pipe materials to HAZ softening and may be used as an acceptance test, a means of characterizing line pipe materials or identifying materials requiring greater attention to detail in weld procedure development or application to preclude significant HAZ softening.