Susceptibility of a welded joint of operated gas distribution pipeline to brittle fracture

Keywords

pipe steel, welded joint, long-term operation, electrolytic hydrogen charging, hydrogen embrittlement.

Cite as

Zvirko O. I., Kryzhanivskyi Ye. I., Hredil М. І., Nykyforchyn H. M., and Tsyrulnyk O. T. Susceptibility of a welded joint of operated gas distribution pipeline to brittle fracture. Physicochemical Mechanics of Materials. 2025. 61(1), 060-065.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/pcmm2025.01.060

Abstract

The susceptibility of various sections of a gas distribution pipeline, operated for 52 years, to hydrogen embrittlement was analyzed. The specimens of base metal and welded joint, cut out transversally to the pipe generatrix, was tested. The brittle fracture resistance was assessed based on temperature dependences of impact toughness and changes in steel plasticity after its electrolytic hydrogen charging. A critically low impact toughness was determined for both base metal and welded joint in the operated state. It was revealed that preliminary electrolytic hydrogen charging caused the plasticity loss, which was more pronounced for the welded joint and the operated state of the material.

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