ASM Failure Analysis Case Histories: Processing Errors and Defects
Stress-Relief Cracking of a Welded Alloy Steel Tube
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Published:2019
Abstract
A thick-walled tube that was weld fabricated for use as a pressure vessel exhibited cracks. Similar cracking was apparent at the weld toes after postweld stress relief or quench-and-temper heat treatment. The cracks were not detectable by nondestructive examination after welding, immediately prior to heat treatment. Multiple-pass arc welds secured the carbon-steel flanges to the Ni-Cr-Mo-V alloy steel tubes. Investigation (visual inspection, metallographic analysis, and evaluation of the fabrication history and the analysis data) supported the conclusion that the tube failed as a result of stress-relief cracking. Very high residual stresses often result from welding thick sections of hardenable...
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Member Sign InStress-Relief Cracking of a Welded Alloy Steel Tube, ASM Failure Analysis Case Histories: Processing Errors and Defects, ASM International, 2019, https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.fach.process.c0091009
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