Study of phase transformations In API 5L X80 Steel in order to increase its fracture toughness

Phase transformations in API 5L X80 steel were studied in different thermomechanical sequences with a view to increasing the fracture toughness of this steel. Dilatometry tests performed on the quenched steel detected a phase transformation occurred, during heating, in the temperature range 593-618 K. This phase transformation was identified as the dissolution of M-A islands. Based on preliminary dilatometric tests, ten thermal and thermomechanical treatments were performed on X80 steel samples. Initially, the material was hot rolled and quenched and only quenched. On the material without deformation, aging was also performed at temperatures of 603, 673, 723, 773, 823 and 873 K. These treatments resulted in the formation of the acicular ferrite constituent, among others. Tensile tests showed that the aging treatments produced reductions in yield strength and increases in the elongation and toughness of X80 steel. All the treatments resulted in an increase in the tensile strength of steel.