Microscopic Study on Mechanical Properties of Different Microregions during In-Service Welding

In-service welding has been gaining considerable attentions due to its significant economic benefits. At high temperature, several technical difficulties exist during repair process and burn-through has been one of the critical issues. To reveal the physical nature of burn-through, finite element simulation and molecular dynamics simulation are combined to investigate the micro dynamic properties of different micro regions in welded joint and the effect of crack on the microdynamic behavior in the process of material failure. The results indicate that burn-through is a failure process under the effect of tensile stress and high temperature. The performance near fusion line is the worst and a burn-through tends to occur at the regions behind maximum melting depth. The failure process of welded joints experience the initiation and development of micro defects. Continuous expansion of micro holes and micro cracks causes the structural fracture. Furthermore, the micro crack would decrease the structural strength and the failure mode differs for cracks in different direction. Failure process of crack structure has experienced the crack tip passivation and dislocation emission. And the formation of stacking fault is carried out in failure process. This paper reveals the microscopic mechanism of burn-through at the atomic level and provides a scientific basis for the continuous and safe operation of gas pipelines.