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Corrosion Behavior and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded API X70 Steel

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Abstract

Friction stir welding (FSW) is an excellent alternative process used in pipelines circumferential welds due to fusion welded joint low corrosion resistance. This study describes the corrosion resistance as a function of the microstructural features resulting from an API X70 FSW welded joint. The microstructural features were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The corrosion analysis was conducted employing potentiodynamic polarization tests using an electrochemical microcell, which allowed to test small circular areas delimited by a 2 mm in diameter O-ring gasket. The base metal and heat-affected zone were the most susceptible regions to corrosion due to their banded microstructures. The re-stirred-zone and stir zone were the most resistant regions to corrosion which was associated to grain refinement. The corrosion rate presented by the base metal and the heat-affected zone was approximately six times higher than the region of least susceptibility to corrosion, in this case, the re-stirred-zone.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, (J.A. Avila), upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the University of São Paulo for the use of their facilities, specifically to the Materials Engineering Department at the São Carlos School of Engineering (SMM, EESC-USP) and Electrochemical Process Laboratory at the Polytechnic School of Engineering (LPE, PMT-USP). The Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory, LNNano-CNPEM/MCTIC, and the Instituto de Materiais Tecnológicos do Brasil Ltda, MIB, for materials and experimental support during the development of this work. One of the authors, Joseane Giarola, acknowledge the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, CNPq, "Scholarship—Brazil." Process: 165065/2017-6. The authors also acknowledge Dr. Julián Escobar for the X-ray diffraction data treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Trabalhador São Carlense 400, São Carlos, SP, 13566590, Brazil

    J. M. Giarola, F. F. Conde, J. B. Marcomini & W. W. Bose Filho

  2. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Professor Mello Moraes, 2463 - Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508-030, Brazil

    J. W. Calderón-Hernández & H. G. de Melo

  3. São Paulo State University (UNESP), Campus of São João da Boa Vista, São João da Boa Vista, SP, Brazil

    J. A. Avila

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  1. J. M. Giarola
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Giarola, J.M., Calderón-Hernández, J.W., Conde, F.F. et al. Corrosion Behavior and Microstructural Characterization of Friction Stir Welded API X70 Steel. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 30, 5953–5961 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-021-05640-4

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