Fracture location transition in constant load tests of a NiCrMoV steel welded joint

The fracture location transition of the NiCrMoV steel welded joints induced by different tensile loads has been investigated through the constant load tests in 3.5 wt% NaCl at 180 °C. The mechanical properties of different zones in the welded joints were measured by the hardness measurement and localized tensile tests in air at room temperature. The corrosion properties were characterized by potentiodynamic polarization curve tests and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) tests. The results reveal that the most susceptive corrosion zone and the weakest strength zone do not locate in same zone of the welded joint. This mismatch leads to the rupture locations of the welded joints change with the applied load in the constant load tests. For the applied load larger than or equal to 765 MPa, the rupture section locates in the middle of WM due to its weakest strength. But the fracture position shifts to the fusion zone for the applied load less than or equal to 760 MPa, which is attributed to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) originating from the pits under the combined effect of galvanic and stress-assisted corrosion. [Display omitted] •Rupture behavior and fracture mechanism of welded joint were investigated.•Failure location varied from weld metal to fusion zone with the decreasing stress.•Fracture located in weld metal due to its worst strength for the higher applied stress.•The combined effects of galvanic and stress-assisted corrosion lead to rupture of fusion zone.