Effect of Rolling in the Recrystallization Temperature Region Associated with a Post-Heat Treatment on the Microstructure, Crystal Orientation, and Mechanical Properties of API 5L X70 Pipeline Steel

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical properties of API X70 pipeline steel, a rolling schedule in the recrystallization temperature region associated with a post heat treatment was proposed. Optical and scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, hardness, and tensile tests were carried out to show the effects of microstructure and crystallographic orientation on the final mechanical properties. The normalized hot-rolled sample and the sample subjected to hot-rolling followed by quenching and consequent tempering at 700 °C exhibited an excellent combination of yield strength and elongation. This was attributed to the recrystallized ferrite microstructure and tempered martensite with martensite-austenite constituent dispersion, respectively. In addition, the development of (112) [1̅ 1̅ 1] and (111)[101̅ ] texture components and the high fraction of low angle boundaries have a significant effect on the improvement of the mechanical properties.