The paper presents the results of research on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 12HMF steel after longterm service. The investigated material was taken from a pipeline with circumferential welded joint after 419 988 hours of service at the temperature of 490°C, steam pressure 8 MPa. Performed research has shown that the 12HMF steel after service was characterized by a typical microstructure for this grade of steel, that is a ferritic-bainitic microstructure without any visible advanced processes of its degradation. The investigation of mechanical properties has shown that the examined steel after service was characterized by a very low impact energy KV, and yield strength lower than the required minimum. Whilst tensile strength and yield strength determined at elevated temperature was higher and similar to the standard requirements, respectively. It has been proved that the main cause of an increase in brittleness and a decrease in yield strength of the examined steel should be seen in the segregation of phosphorus to grain boundaries and the formation of precipitate free zones near the boundaries.

The results of a microstructure examination and mechanical properties of 15HM (13CrMo4-5) steel are presented in the article. The examined elements are the samples taken from the live steam pipeline serviced for about 420 000 hours at the temperature of about 510°C, and pressure of 11 MPa. It has been shown that after long-term operation the examined steel has a ferritic-pearlitic microstructure with a dominant content of quasipolygonal ferrite. The processes of fragmentation of lamellar precipitates and their spheroidization were observed in pearlite. On the grain boundaries, single lamellar precipitations were observed. Moreover, numerous precipitations at the interface of three grain boundaries were revealed. The examined steel, despite its long-term service time, was characterized by the strength properties (YS, TS) slightly lower than the required minimum, the impact energy value KV equal to 20 J, and the transition temperature shifted to a temperature above zero. Relatively low level of degradation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of the investigated steel can result from high stability of the ferritic-pearlitic microstructure.

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Mikrostruktura i właściwości mechaniczne złącza spawanego stali 12HMF po długotrwałej eksploatacji Microstructure and mechanical properties of welded joint of 12HMF steel after long-term service Dr hab. inż. Grzegorz Golański; dr hab. inż. Jacek Słania, prof. PCz; mgr inż. Joanna Jasak-Politechnika Częstochowska; dr inż. Izabela Pietryka-Politechnika Krakowska; mgr inż. Paweł Urbańczyk