Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extra High Strength Heavy Steel Plate for Bridge Application

Key parameters for thermomechanical control process (TMCP) and integrated welding operations have been determined to industrialize extra high strength micro-alloyed low carbon SiMnCrMoNiCu steel plates for bridge applications. Confocal Scanning Microscope was used to make In-situ observation on austenite grain growth during reheating. A Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator was employed to investigate transformation behavior of the TMCP conditioned austenite. Integrated industrial rolling trial was conducted to correlate the laboratory observations and commercial production of the plates. Microstructure factors affecting the toughness of the steel were analyzed. Submerged-Arc Welding (SMAW) trails were conducted and the structures and mechanical properties of the weld joints characterized. The representative plate with thickness of 60 mm consisted of acicular ferrite (AF) + refined polygonal ferrite (PF) + granular bainite (GB) across the entire thickness section exhibit yield strength (YS) greater than 560 MPa in transverse direction and excellent Charpy V Notch (CVN) impact toughness greater than 100 J at-40 °C in the parent metal and the weld joints. These provide useful integrated database for producing advanced high strength steel plates via TMCP. Keywords: Thermo-Mechanical Control Process;Weathering Steel Plate for Bridge; Submerged-Arc Welding without Preheating