Research On Post-Fire Metallographic Structure And Hardness Of Quenched And Tempered High Strength Steel 07mnmovr

Quenched and tempered high strength steel 07MnMoVR provides an excellent combination of strength and toughness potentially providing significant cost savings in petrochemical industry. Exposure to fire will subject steel to thermal conditions that may alter the material's microstructure and properties. The extent of the fire damage and the potential reusability of the components can be evaluated by fitness-for-service (FFS) assessment after a fire event. According to API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, metallurgical investigation and mechanical testing are the chief means for the assessment of fire damage. This paper presents the details of an experimental investigation on the post-fire metallographic structure and hardness of 07MnMoVR steel. Metallographic analyses and hardness testing were performed on coupons exposed to elevated temperatures varying from 550 degrees C to 850 degrees C for half an hour to 8 hours and then naturally cooled in air or cooled by water. The results show that the microstructure of as -received 07MnMoVR steel consisted of tempered sorbite and bainite. With increasing heat exposure temperature, bainite disappeared gradually. The recovery and recrystallization of ferrite began to occur after heat exposure at 650 degrees C for 5hrs. When the heat exposure temperature exceeded 750 degrees C, the effects of duration time and cooling rate on microstructure were both significant. A linear correlation is indicated by fitting the ultimate tensile strength and hardness. Due to the drastically degradation of impact toughness of 07MnMoVR steel after heat exposure exceeded 650 degrees C, it is suggested that the removal and testing of material samples shall be utilized to evaluate the fire damage of components, besides replication or in-situ field metallography and hardness testing. This study can provide basis data and guidelines for the fitness-for-service assessment of 07MnMoVR steel suffered from a fire event.