Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05451-8

RESEARCH ARTICLE-MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Determination of Fracture Toughness and ­KIC‑CVN Correlations for BM,

HAZ, and WB in API 5L X60 Pipeline
S. Capula‑Colindres1   · G. Terán2   · D. Angeles‑Herrera3   · J. C. Velázquez2   · E. Torres‑Santillán2

Received: 24 September 2020 / Accepted: 5 February 2021

© King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 2021

Abstract
This paper presents a study to determine the fracture toughness for the API 5L X60 pipeline in the base metal (BM), the
heat-affected zone (HAZ), and the welding bead (WB) by SE(B) specimens in the short transverse direction in an API 5L
X60 pipeline. Also, a comparison of the KIC results from SE(B) specimens and KIC-CVN (Charpy V-notch) correlation
equations using CVN energy values was done. SE(B) specimens were machined and tested according to ASTM E339.
Standard Charpy specimens were machined and tested according to ASTM E23. The notch remained within the evaluation
zone to obtain KIC and Charpy specimens at the HAZ and WB. The K ­ IC and CVN values are higher for the BM, followed
by the HAZ and the WB. These KIC and CVN values are similar to those reported by other authors in API 5L pipelines.
The decrease in KIC and CVN values is due to the microstructure present in the temperature transformations. For BM, the
ferrite matrix with pearlite colonies could be presented, while for the WB zone, martensite and finer bainite are detected. In
some regions of the HAZ temperatures are reached that promote the transformation of the ferritic/pearlitic structure of the
BM into austenite. KIC-CVN correlation equations values should be used only to estimate KIC values when KIC data cannot
be obtained from standard specimens.

Keywords  Fracture toughness KIC · KIC-CVN correlations · CVN · Charpy · API 5L X60 pipeline

Abbreviations KIC Fracture toughness

BM Base metal WB Welding bead
CVN Charpy V-notch
HAZ Heat-affected zone
1 Introduction
* D. Angeles‑Herrera The field of fracture mechanics provides the basis and pro-
dangelesh0600@alumno.ipn.mx
cedure for designing and assessing cracked components to
S. Capula‑Colindres produce structures more resistant and tolerant to defects.
selenecapula@gmail.com
Fracture mechanics is based on the measurement of the
G. Terán stress field and strains around a crack that generate relative
gerardoteranm@gmail.com
displacements of fracture surfaces in a body. In the design
J. C. Velázquez and selection of materials, three variables are analyzed:
jcva8008@yahoo.com.mx
mechanical property of the material, the stress that the mate-
E. Torres‑Santillán rial can support, and the crack size [1].
esthersantillan@gmail.com
The stress intensity factor indicates the magnitude of
1
Laboratorio de Microtecnología y Sistemas Embebidos, stresses at the tip of the crack (K). A fracture occurs when
CIC-IPN, AV. Juan de Dios Batíz, s/n, Col. Industrial the applied stress exceeds a critical value, as stresses close
Vallejo, C.P. 07738 Mexico City, Mexico to the crack are defined in terms of K. The critical value of
2
Departamento de Ingeniería Química Industrial, ESIQIE-IPN K, fracture toughness (Kc), can be used to specify fracture
UPALM, Edif. 7, Zacatenco, C.P. 07738 Mexico City, conditions.
Mexico
A component containing a crack can be loaded in three
3
TecNM/ITS de Tantoyuca (ITSTA), Desv. Lindero Tametate different modes. These modes are illustrated in Fig. 1. Mode
s/n, Col. La Morita, C.P. 92100 Tantoyuca, Veracruz, Mexico

13
Vol.:(0123456789)

Fig. 1  The three loading modes
I is the tensile opening mode; the stress intensity factor asso-
ciated with this mode is designated as KI. Mode II is the
in-plane shearing mode; the stress intensity factor related
to this mode is defined as KII. Mode III is the out-of-plane
shearing mode, sometimes referred to as the anti-plane-
strain mode. The stress intensity factor associated with Mode
III is designated as KIII [2].
When cracks are detected in service, they are usually
assessed by fracture mechanics methods. An accurate value
of the Mode I plane-strain fracture toughness (KIC) in the
cracking direction is determined [3]. KIC is the magnitude
of the stress intensity at the tip of the crack if the strain in
the body is elastic [4] in linear elastic fracture mechanics
(LEFM).
An advantage of measuring KIC is that it can be obtained
from tested material specimens using KIC-CVN correlation
equations. However, the main disadvantage is that to manu-
facture samples according to ASTM E-399 [5] is impossible
if the thickness required to machine the specimens is not
present. The test for measuring the fracture toughness in
plane-strain conditions, denoted by KIC for Mode I, has been
standardized to obtain reproducible results [6].
The recommended procedure is explained in ASTM E399
[5]. This standard uses two types of specimens, C(T) and
SE(B). Another disadvantage of this method is the quan-
tity of material and test time required. Indirect or alternate
tests are needed to determine KIC. KIC can also be estimated
by testing compact tension specimens following the ASTM
E1820 standard [7–9]. To this end, Charpy specimens and
KIC-CVN correlation equations are used in the zone of inter-
est. A Charpy impact test (CVN test) is used to measure
the fragile-ductile temperature and as a quality control test.
This evaluation’s simplicity allows converting energy val-
ues to fracture toughness values [10–14]. Several authors
report equations that can predict KIC values [7, 15–29] with
satisfactory results. However, these equations present differ-
ent limitations, such as applicability only to steel with yield
stress limits, maximum stress limits, non-specific micro-
structure, and no welded joints [26]. The drop weight tear
test (DWTT) is widely used to evaluate the resistance to a
brittle fracture in pipeline steel [30, 31].
13
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
Fig. 2  API 5L X60 pipeline and macrostructure of two passes (dou-
ble-sided) BM-HAZ-WB zone in mm
In the current study, KIC values were obtained from SE(B)
test specimens in the short transverse direction and using
Charpy energy values with KIC-CVN correlation equations.
The zones of interest are the base metal (BM), heat-affected
zone (HAZ), and the welding bead (WB) in an API 5L X60
steel pipeline. KIC values from SE(B) specimens and KIC
values estimated with KIC-CVN correlation equations are
compared.
2 Experimental Procedure
2.1 KIC Test
The studied material was extracted from an API 5L grade
X60 pipeline with a diameter of 609.6 mm and 25.4 mm of
thickness, which was welded with a longitudinal seam weld
introduced by submerged arc welding (SAW). SE(B) speci-
mens were manufactured in such a way that the crack initiat-
ing notch was aligned to the longitudinal seam weld of the
pipeline. Therefore, a set of samples was manufactured in
the seam weld’s transversal direction to allow crack propa-
gation in the BM, HAZ, and WB, as it is depicted in Fig. 2.
This pipeline has been withdrawn from service. Figure 3
presents a schematic of specimen extraction and Fig. 4 illus-
trates the SE(B) specimen dimensions. The specimens were
machined (from the central thickness) with notched roots
located in the BM, HAZ, and WB. SE(B) and Charpy speci-
mens were extracted from the BM, HAZ, and WB in the
short transverse (T–S) direction. The SE(B) test specimens
were machined according to the ASTM E339 [5] standard.
Table 1 shows the mechanical properties of the API X60
pipeline. Three specimens were tested for each of the work-
ing conditions, BM, HAZ, and WB.
For the fracture toughness (KIC) test, a servo-hydraulic
testing machine with a controlled closed-cycle and load
capacity of 100 kN was employed. The test was conducted
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering

in load signal mode. The tests were conducted at room tem-

perature in laboratory conditions.
Before starting the KIC test, polishing was necessary to
mirror the lateral size of the specimens. Lines 1 mm apart
were marked perpendicular to the load application plane
with a Vernier height gauge to observe the crack propagation
during the tests. The specimens were fatigue pre-cracked,
according to the ASTM E399 standard [5].
After pre-cracking, tests were conducted to measure KIC
as described in ASTM E399. The tests consisted of loading
the pre-cracked specimens until fracture and recording the
load and crack displacement opening to measure the crack
propagation.

2.2 Charpy Impact Tests

Three standard Charpy specimens were machined and

Fig. 3  Schematic of SE(B) and Charpy specimen extraction from an
API 5L X60 pipeline (material processing directions: rolling direction
(L), long transverse direction (T), short transverse direction (S))
tested according to the ASTM E23 standard [33] at room
temperature. A Charpy machine Model 74 with a capacity
of 0.0–274 ft-lb was used. Charpy specimens were obtained
in the BM-HAZ-WB zone. The Charpy dimensions were
10 mm × 10 mm × 55 mm.

2.3 KIC‑CVN correlations

After determining the Charpy energy values in the BM-

HAZ-WB zone with a Charpy machine, KIC was estimated
using the KIC-CVN correlation equations shown in Table 2.
The KIC-CVN correlations between KIC and Charpy impact
values and the mechanical properties (yield stress) are
reported in Ref [26]. The KIC test was conducted at room
temperature, corresponding to the temperature in the brittle-
Fig. 4  SE(B) specimen dimensions, W = 18 mm
ductile transition zone (BDTT) in the CVN impact versus
temperature curve. Based on this criterion, Sailor–Corten
Table 1  Mechanical properties of API X60 pipeline [32] [20] and Barsom and Rolfe equation [17] were employed.
Modulus of Poisson’s Yield stress Ramberg– Hardening
The Barsom and Rolfe equation [17] for different zones was
elasticity E ratio ν σYS (MPa) Osgood exponent in used in the BDTT in the CVN impact vs temperature curve.
(GPa) model yield the Ram-
offset (α) berg–Osgood
model (n)

210 0.3 483 1 12

Table 2  KIC-CVN correlation
equations Transition temperature region
Sailor–Corten [20]
268–923 MPa
KIC
√
= 8(CVN) psi in , CVN = ft-lbf, E = psi
E
39–134 ksi
5 ft.lb < cu < 50 ft.lb
Different zones
Barsom and Rolfe [17]
–
√ √
ksi in , ksi, ft-lb
( Rp,02
)
KIC = Rp,02 R 5 CVN − 20
p,02

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 Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering

3 Results and Discussion crack plane orientation. It is known that mechanical proper-

ties are dependent on the crack plane orientation for anisot-
3.1 Obtaining ­KIC Values from SE(B) Specimens ropy, based on the orientation of crystallographic planes.
and Charpy Energy Values Fracture toughness results depend on the specimen orienta-
tion [39] and material processing directions.
Table 3 shows KIC values of SE(B) specimens and com- Beltrán et al. [40] found that fracture toughness values
pared with other API 5L pipelines. The average KIC values for an API X42 steel in base metal (BM) are 20% higher in
obtained for the longitudinal direction than in the short transverse direc-
√ BM, HAZ, and WB √ were 133.86  MPa m ,
√

73.14 MPa m , and 64.95 MPa m , respectively. The KIC
values obtained in this study are homogeneous and similar.
The KIC values for BM are higher than for HAZ and WB.
The KIC values√for X52 and X65 pipeline are 116.6 MPa m
√
tion, based on the relative orientation parameter, banding
degree of the pearlite bands in the microstructure, and the
location of the crack plane. Jang et al. [41] reported that
steel microstructures and mechanical properties can change

and 226  MPa m , respectively, in the BM zone. The KIC during the pipe-forming process. The highest values of KIC
values for X60 are between X52 and X65 pipeline steel. This were in the C direction; the L direction presented the lowest
shows that the KIC values for X60 pipeline in the BM zone values. There is a relation between KIC and low angle grain
are correct and similar to the KIC values of X52 and X65 boundary (LAGB) and high angle grain boundary (HAGB).
reported by other authors. The density of grains oriented in the (110) and (111) planes
Reported KIC values for X52 steel did not indicate the influences the KIC properties. Greater fracture resistance is
specimen orientation. For the X65 pipeline, the specimens related to a high density of grains oriented in these planes.
were oriented in the longitudinal direction. In the current The results can overestimate fracture toughness. For welding
study, the samples were extracted in the TS (thickness short) conditions, the fracture toughness exhibits a different behav-
notch direction due to the anisotropy presented in steel plates ior [40]. Angeles et al. [42] found that fracture toughness
to manufacture API 5L pipelines. It is well known that there values were higher in the circumferential-longitudinal direc-
are few KIC values cited in the literature for API 5L pipe- tion (CL) than in the circumferential-radial direction (CR)
lines. Therefore, there is a need to determine KIC test val- for longitudinal submerged arc welding (SAW) of API 5L
ues using SE(B) specimens standardized and applying the pipeline steel. This may be due to the density distribution of
ASTM E-399 for the BM, HAZ, and WB zones. microstructural phases and porosity. Non-metallic inclusions
Anisotropic behavior in pipelines is essential in terms of such as titanium (Ti), calcium (Ca), and aluminum (Al) con-
mechanical properties [37, 38]. The crack plane in plates stituents formed compounds that promoted brittle-fracture
is important in anisotropic materials. Cold rolled plates by cleavage, decreasing the toughness properties of the weld.
for manufacturing API 5L pipelines present anisotropy in Fracture toughness in the CR direction was approximately
mechanical properties such as plane-strain fracture KIC, JIC, 25.3% lower than the CL direction’s average value. Besides,
stress yield, and stress maximum that are controlled by the the porosity in this direction provided a clear crack path
for separating fracture planes, resulting in low KIC fracture
toughness values. Also, Matusevich et al. [27] determined
the KIC in the BM and WB in the temperature range of the
Table 3  KIC values of SE(B) specimens, units in MPa m
√
transition region. It was observed that the KIC in the welding
Zone Pipeline beam was 45% lower than BM.
X52 [34, 35] X60 [this study] X65 [36]
3.2 Charpy Energy Values
BM1 131.97
BM 2 127.71
CVN values obtained in this study are presented in Table 4.
BM 3 141.91
The average Charpy impact energy values for the BM, HAZ,
Average 116.6 133.86 226+
and WB were 250.07 J, 226.53 J, and 168.41 J, respectively.
HAZ 1 77.40
CVN values from other studies are also presented for the
HAZ 2 69.74
BM, HAZ, and WB zones. The CVN energy results for the
HAZ 3 72.28
BM show significant similarity to results reported in other
Average 73.14
studies. As shown in Table 4, CVN values for the BM zone
WB 1 67.52
exhibit a upward behavior as the yield stress of API steel
WB 2 64.51
(X52–X65) increases, confirming that the values obtained in
WB 3 62.83
this work are correct. As with earlier KIC results, the highest
Average 64.95
CVN values correspond to the BM, followed by the HAZ
+ In the longitudinal direction and the WB.

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Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering

Table 4  Charpy energy values Zone Pipeline

and comparison with other
studies, units in Joules X52 [43] X60 [this study] X65 [7] X65 [44–46] X65 [47] X65 [48]

BM 1 164 250.08 264 – 279 –

BM 2 171 247.12 271 – 267 –
BM 3 164 253.01 263 – 271 –
Average 166 250.07 266 285.2 272 264
HAZ 1 224 213.78 – – 204 –
HAZ 2 174 226.53 – – 192 –
HAZ 3 207 239.28 – – 199 –
Average 202 226.53 – – 198 190
WB 1 100 168.47 78 – 171 –
WB 2 79 168.28 70 – 155 –
WB 3 102 168.47 66 – 163 –
Average 94 168.41 71 – 163 160

Fracture toughness values for steel are higher in the lon- pipe shape. (See Fig. 5). The crack edge path through the
gitudinal direction than in the circumferential direction [40, BM’s microstructure was transgranular and it changed its
49]. According to Beltrán et al. [50], with a higher band- direction as it crossed the pearlite and ferrite bands, making
ing degree, CVN and KIC values can be obtained because a tortuous path with plenty of secondary cracking. These
the material has a microstructural banding parallel to the deviations in the crack path require more energy, and it can
crack propagation that results in reduced fracture resistance. slow down the tests, increasing the fracture toughness.
Toughness is sensitive to the orientation of specimen extrac- Acicular ferrite improves the metal toughness [7], and
tion from the material. Toughness was reduced when the it is one of the most commonly observed microstructure
cleavage was parallel to the macroscopic fracture plane of constituents in weld deposits of low-alloy steel. It is eas-
the Charpy specimen [51]. ily differentiated from other components by its fine nature.
As shown in Tables 3 and 4, the KIC values and CVN Microstructures that contain a high-volume fraction of acic-
results exhibit the same behavior. The BM presents the high- ular ferrite present a much higher CVN toughness values
est values of KIC and CVN, followed by the HAZ and the compared to reheated microstructural constituents. Acicular
WB. This is explained by (a) the differences in the obtained
­KIC data and CVN results are attributed to different micro-
structures in the BM, HAZ, and WB [48], and (b) during
steel welding, important metallurgical changes occur in the
HAZ microstructure. In addition to chemical composition
and microstructure, grain size and size distribution also
affect fracture toughness and CVN values. Consequently,
reduced mechanical properties are observed in the HAZ and
WB [52].
The microstructure and mechanical properties of high-
strength low-alloy steel (HSLA), such as API 5L X60, have
been essential in some studies. The weld metal microstruc-
tures are also important for identifying different transforma-
tion mechanisms. The weld bead’s microstructure is different
from the BM and HAZ microstructure, even if they have a
similar composition. There can be differences in microstruc-
ture, chemical composition, and thermal and manufacturing
processes of the BM and WB. For BM, the microstructure
depends on the hot rolling operation and multiple recrystalli-
zations of hot-worked metal. BM metal consists mainly of a
matrix of ferrite with pearlite colonies in a banded configura-
tion. The hot rolling forms this microstructure passes applied Fig. 5  Microstructures for API 5L X60 pipeline in the WB, HAZ, and
during the fabrication of the plates that were formed into the BM

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 Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering

ferrite is characterized by excellent toughness because of the
small grain size and high angle grain boundaries that pro-
vokes a tortuous crack path, resulting in increased fracture
toughness values that act as obstacles to cleavage propaga-
tion [53]. Acicular ferrite must be used cautiously, as it can
degrade the toughness of welded material, especially in the
HAZ, which can become brittle due to rapid cooling that
produces smaller grains.
When these steels are welded to fabricate API 5 l pipe-
lines, the thermal cycle of welding causes alterations in
the composition, distribution, size, and volumetric fraction
of the precipitates through their dissolution and growth.
Because of the thermal process of welding, in some regions
of the HAZ temperatures are reached that promote the trans-
formation of the ferritic/pearlitic structure of the base metal
into austenite [54], see Fig. 5
The mechanical properties also depend on the rolling
direction. The WB can present an as-solidified or deposited
microstructure [53]. In the welded pipeline, it is known that
high cooling rates increase the volume fraction of martensite
and the strength value but reduce the elongation and fracture
toughness [52]. API 5L X60 pipe is a low carbon (0.07 wt%)
steel with niobium (Nb), titanium (Ti), and vanadium (V) as
primary micro-alloying and precipitate-hardening elements.
These elements provide strength and toughness to the steel
and promote low transformation temperature. Decreasing
the transformation temperature, finer bainite microstructure,
and higher strength levels on welded metal can be achieved
[54], as shown in Fig. 5.
the principal stress direction, and crack edges and shear
lips were parallel to the longitudinal direction. The maxi-
mum stress induced a triaxial stress state in the specimens,
resulting in localized deformations in a narrow area, form-
ing shear lips. In this region, the final fracture occurred by
shear tearing in the ‘tearing zone.’ The final fracture’s shape
corresponds to a cutting edge with its inclined sides known
as ‘shear lips.’ These results indicate that the plane-strain
conditions have been met, as recommended by ASTM E399
for validation [5]. Tests used to validate the fracture tough-
ness results were conducted in the transversal direction. The
Pmax/PQ ratio was less than 1.1, and the rp values for the
plastic zone were smaller than the (W-a) relation. Therefore,
the test fulfilled the validation criteria of ASTM 399. The kQ
values can be considered the actual KIC values of the longitu-
dinal seam weld used to manufacture API 5L X52 steel pipe.
3.4 Comparison of KIC for SE(B) Specimens
and KIC‑CVN Correlations
As mentioned, the BM’s K ­ IC values are higher than the HAZ
zone and welding beam. Then, KIC values obtained in this
research work must be adjusted. According to Beltran et al.
[40] Angeles et al. [42], and Matusevich et al. [27], ­KIC
could vary 20%, 25.3%, and 45%, respectively. For the KIC
values adjustment, only the values obtained by Angeles et al.
[42] and Matusevich et al. [27] are considered. This because
they got more variation. To obtain the adjustment value, the
following equation is proposed:

3.3 Fracture Analysis of SE(B) Specimens

[ ]
100% × KIC value
(1)
100% − %of differenced by author
Fractographic analyses were performed on the fracture
surfaces of the tested specimens to identify the fracture KIC values adjustment obtained in this study and pre-
mechanisms. The fracture planes were perpendicular to vious research are shown in Table 5 and Fig. 6. The KIC

Table 5  KIC values using KIC- Zone KIC, MPa m

√
CVN correlations
Value adjusted to Value adjusted to Sailor–Corten [20] Barsom and
25.3% 45% Rolfe [17]

BM 1 176.67 239.95 230.8 256.4

BM 2 170.96 232.20 229.5 254.8
BM 3 189.97 258.02 232.2 257.9
Average 179.20 243.38 230.83 256.36
HAZ 1 103.61 140.73 213.4 236.7
HAZ 2 93.36 126.80 219.7 243.8
HAZ 3 96.76 131.42 225.8 250.7
Average 97.91 132.98 219.63 243.73
WB 1 90.39 122.76 189.5 209.6
WB 2 86.36 117.29 189.4 209.4
WB 3 84.11 114.24 189.5 209.6
Average 86.95 118.09 189.46 209.53

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Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
Fig. 6  KIC values in this study as compared with other studies
values adjusted for 25.3% of √ BM, HAZ and WB√are
179.2  MPa m   , 97.91  MPa m  , and 86.95  MPa m  ,
√
respectively. This corresponding to the values obtained for
KIC and Charpy energy values. While the values adjusted
for 45% of √ BM, HAZ, and WB √ are 243.38  MPa m  ,
√
132.98 MPa m , and 118.09 MPa m , respectively. The
values obtained from K IC -CVN correlations by Bar-
som–Rolfe and Sailor–Corten overestimate the KIC values
obtained from SE(B) specimens. As seen from the KIC
values in Table 5, these work values were adjusted to 25%
and 45% getting similar values reported by Barsom–Rolfe
[17] and Sailor–Corten [20].
The authors did not report the direction of extraction for
Charpy specimens for the material processing direction.
Sailor–Corten [20] and Barsom–Rolfe [17] did not report the
material’s rolling direction in the tested steel. It is of great
importance to know the extraction direction in the KIC-CVN
correlations. The literature does not report values of KIC for
HAZ and WB in API 5L X60. In addition, there are no KIC-
CVN correlations for WB and HAZ zones. The KIC values
from KIC-CVN correlations reflect the following conditions:
For the values reported by KIC correlations, there is a dis-
persion of results for the same condition. This scattering may
be due to the following: (a) fracture toughness depends on
the orientation of hot rolling for steel manufacture, (b) there
is a non-uniform distribution in the shape, morphology, size,
and inclusions present in steel, (c) crystallographic texture,
and (d) the anisotropy present in the steel is due to chemical
segregation with banding or elongated grain structure. In
API 5L X60 grade steel, the performance of inclusions and
segregations is of vital importance. It is also important that
microstructures are more homogeneous. For many materials,
the crystallographic texture has a fundamental performance
to determine the anisotropy. The anisotropy of toughness is a
particular problem, with toughness depending on the orien-
tation relative to the rolling direction [55, 56]. A linepipe has
strikingly different mechanical properties in the longitudinal
direction compared to the circumferential direction. This can
be attributed to the development of crystallographic texture
during the pre-forming process [7].
4 Conclusions
Based on the results of this research, the following conclu-
sions can be made:
1. The validity of the results obtained from the KIC tests
was analyzed under the criteria of ASTM E399 and elas-
tic linear fracture mechanics, indicating that the tests
for the three study zones were valid. This is verified
by fractographic analysis on the fracture surfaces of the
specimens. In addition, KIC values reported in this work
are consistent with other authors.
2. The K IC averages for BM, √ HAZ, and WB were
133.86 Mpa m , 73.14 Mpa m , and 64.95 Mpa m ,
√ √
respectively, for SE (B) specimens. These values were
homogeneous and similar to others works for ­KIC values
in different API 5L grade pipelines. The Charpy impact
energy averages for BM, HAZ, and WB were 250.07 J,
226.53 J, and 168.41 J, respectively, and are consistent
with reported Charpy energy values. For the KIC values
and Charpy data, the highest values correspond to BM,
followed by HAZ and WB, corresponding to different
microstructures in BM, HAZ, and WB. The microstruc-
ture of the BM zone is matrix of ferrite with pearlite
colonies. For HAZ zone, the microstructure changes
during steel welding, but ferritic/pearlitic structure can
be presented. While for the WB zone depends on the
transformation temperatures, martensite can occur for
high cooling rates. As the temperature decreases, finer
bainite can be obtained. Also, the grain size and size
distribution also affect the fracture toughness and CVN
values.
3. Mechanical properties such as fracture toughness and
Charpy data exhibit anisotropy. Fracture toughness and
Charpy results are higher in the longitudinal direction,
followed by the short transverse direction. For applica-
tion of the KIC-CVN equations, it is important to specify
the rolling direction of the material. For pipelines, the
short transverse direction is the least favorable condition
to estimate KIC using KIC-CVN correlations, resulting in
low KIC values for this condition.
4. It is necessary to develop additional KIC-CVN correla-
tion equations for the HAZ and WB and other material
processing directions. The KIC-CVN correlation equa-
tions only reported by previous authors apply to the BM.
New equations must specify the rolling direction with
respect to Charpy specimens. There is currently little
KIC value information for different API 5L steels and
other processing directions material. For this reason, the
13

importance of reporting KIC values in this work. The
KIC-CVN equations should be used with caution and
only as values to estimate KIC from CVN values. It is
recommended to obtain KIC data according to ASTM
E23 specimens.
Acknowledgements  The authors thank the ESIQIE-IPN, CIITEC-IPN,
TecNM/ITS de Tantoyuca (ITSTa), and CONACYT México for the
financial and material support.
Compliance with Ethical Standards  toughness steel, in: Review of development in plane strain fracture
Conflict of interest  The authors declare that there is no conflict of in-
terest regarading the publication of his paper.
References
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