Analysis of SA 387 Gr. 91 welded joints crack resistance under static and impact load

Abstract This paper presents the results of experimental testing of crack resistance of specimens taken from a welded plate made of steel SA-387 Gr. 91, while taking into account different filler materials and welding procedures that were used. This type of steels is typically used in pressure vessels, pipelines and gas installations in the chemical and petrochemical industry, as well as in thermal installations. Since it is operating under extreme conditions, which include elevated temperatures and/or corrosion, the mechanical properties of SA-387 Gr. 91 will deteriorate over time, especially its welded joints. For this reason, it is very important to thoroughly analyse the behaviour of welded joints, taking into account the possibility of cracks initiating in any of the three welded joint regions, the parent material (PM), the weld metal (WM) and the heat affected zone (HAZ). This can be achieved by determining the total impact energy of Charpy specimens with V-2 notches in each of the three regions, along with their components, crack initiation and crack propagation energy, as well as by measuring the fracture toughness.