Microstructural analysis and mechanical behavior of the HAZ in an API 5L X70 steel welded by GMAW process

This study aimed to investigate the heat-affected zone (HAZ) behavior in an API 5L X70 steel welded by the gas metal arc welding process (GMAW). In the steel welding processes, this region is very critical due to microstructural and allotropic transformations that affect the mechanical properties. Three samples were welded using a robotic arm with different welding speeds, thus obtaining three different heat inputs, which were 2.0 kJ/mm, 2.5 kJ/mm, and 3.0 kJ/mm. For all heat inputs, the microstructures of the HAZ showed the Widmanstätten ferrite, Acicular ferrite, bainite, and martensite and retained austenite, which influenced the mechanical properties of this region. The electron backscattering diffraction analysis showed that the presence of low-angle grain boundaries (2–15°) increases the fracture toughness. The kernel average misorientation map and the results of the Charpy impact test showed that the heat input of 3.0 kJ/mm lead to characteristics of the HAZ that are remarkably similar to the base metal (BM).