Commercial scale trials of X100 for Artic gas transmission pipelines have been conducted at IPSCO. Different alloying systems and thermo-mechanical controlled processes have been employed to make X100 coils. The coils were made into spirally welded pipes at IPSCO Spiral Mill in Regina, Canada. These pipes were tested in different conditions, namely as-welded, after hydro-testing, and after thermal coating. Therefore, the effects of as-supplied material and pipe-making processes on the final mechanical properties of pipe were evaluated. It was found that the tensile specimen size and sampling location had a noticeable effect on the testing results. The difference was also observed between the flattened strap specimen and round bar. The influence of the anisotropy of the as-supplied coils and the thermal coating on the final pipe properties will also be presented.

During the past ten years, linepipe development activities around the world have been focused on high strength steels for Arctic gas transmission. The incentive for this work has been the potential for greater transportation efficiency and lower construction costs associated with the use of higher strength steels. The present paper describes the successful production of both 9.8 mm × 762 mm diameter and 12.7 mm × 1067 mm diameter Grade 690 linepipe. The alloying concept, thermomechanical controlled processing, and the resultant microstructures and mechanical properties will be presented. The key processing parameters which control the microstructure and mechanical behavior of the steels will also be discussed.

Within the EUREKA 643 project “Eurolaser-Safety in the Industrial Applications of Lasers”, the workplace exposure during laser materials processing under manufacturing conditions was determined. Concentrations of airborne pollutants, originating from laser machining, were measured under conditions similar to those encountered in industrial manufacturing processes. A quantitative analysis of the concentrations of airborne substances was carried out using measuring techniques as they are used by the Professional Associations. Selected results of measurements during laser beam cutting of mild steel and stainless steel, welding of stainless steel and zinc coated steel using Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers will be presented. Different production conditions, the efficiency of certain suction systems, and room ventilation systems have been assessed. Also the exposure to chosen chemical compounds during CO2 laser beam cutting of glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene was determined. The results are compared with national exposure limit values and are used for recommendations for the use of laser processing systems in industry and the description of useful protective measures.

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