Effects of Multiple Normalizing

Processes on the Microstructure and

Mechanical
Properties of Low Carbon Steel Weld
Metal with and without Nb

Group 5
Khaula Bibi (200301035)
Laila Maryam (200301029
Aaila Akhter (200301001)
Outline
• Introduction
• Literature review
• Problem statement
• Methodology
• Results and discussions
• Conclusion
• Contribution
Micro-alloyed steel
• Low carbon steel with 0.05-0.15% alloying
elements
• Main inclusions: Nb, V, Ti, Cu
• Carbon content < 0.3%
Properties
• High strength-to-weight ratio
• Improved low-temperature toughness
• Fatigue resistance
• Atmospheric Corrosion resistance
• Weldability
• Formability
Nb-micro alloyed steel
• Niobium micro-alloyed steel is one of the important structural materials.
• The weldability is a property that determines the industrial application prospect of
Nb micro alloyed steel
Literature Review
Most previous studies concerning Nb steels have focused on:
• The transformation behavior in thermomechanical processes, the effect of Nb
element on the Processes.
• The effect of Nb on the microstructure and properties of weld metal before and after
stress relief annealing
Problem statement
• Effects of multiple post-weld normalizing treatments on the microstructure and
mechanical properties of Nb-bearing welded joints are very limited
• In addition, the distribution of the precipitates in the Nb-bearing weld metal
under multiple post-weld normalizing processes has not been discussed in
previous papers
Methodology

Gas metal arc welding Chemical Analysis

Mechanical testing

Tensile testing Impact test

Characterization
• Optical microscope
• SEM
• Selected Area Diffraction
Results
Mechanical
properties
• With Nb > without Nb
Mechanical Properties
With increasing normalizing times without Nb:
• Optimum properties up to 3 normalizing times in CGZ
• Properties do not change after normalizing times 4-7
• Optimum properties up to 2 normalizing times in EGZ
• Properties do not change after normalizing times 3-7
Mechanical Properties
With increasing normalizing times with Nb:
• Optimum properties up to 3 normalizing times in CGZ
• Optimum properties up to 2 normalizing times in EGZ
• Properties do not change after normalizing times 3-5
• Normalizing for the 6th time-duplex structure in both CGZ and EGZ
Discussion
Reason of these mechanical properties?
Microstructure
Without Nb:
• No NbC precipitates
• Less formation of Widmanstatten and
acicular ferrite
With Nb:
• Nb precipitates
• More Widmanstatten and acicular ferrite
 SAD Analysis

Without Nb With Nb
Microstructure
With increasing normalizing times without Nb:
• Equiaxed grains
• Grains refinement-2 or3 normalizing times
• No effect -4 to 7 normalizing times
Microstructure
With increasing normalizing times with Nb:
• Equiaxed grains
• Grains refinement-2 or3 normalizing times
• No effect -4 to 5 normalizing times
• Duplex structure
• Precipitates coarsening
Conclusion
• Nb-welded steel has better mechanical properties
• Normalizing 2-3 times gives best combination of properties
• Greater normalizing times with Nb deteriorate the properties
• Greater normalizing times without Nb has no effect on the properties
Contribution
• Unique properties of micro alloyed steels
• Weight reductions,
• New or more efficient designs with improved performance,
• Attractive reductions in fabrication / manufacturing costs
• Educed transportation costs from weight reductions
• Improved strength along with toughness and ductility
Thankyou!