Production of 20 mm Thick API PSL 2 X60 and X70 Grade Plates from a Nb-Ti Microalloyed Steel

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the controlled rolling and cooling conditions for the production of 20 mm thick American Petroleum Institute (API) X60 and X70 grade steel plates. Nb-Ti microalloyed steel slabs of 200 mm thickness were rolled at fourdifferent finish rolling temperatures (conventional, 950°C, 850°C and 800°C). In some trials, a water table was employed to provide accelerated cooling just after finish rolling. Mechanical tests (tensile, impact and drop weight tear-DWTT) and microstructural examinations were performed on the samples taken from the trial production plates. Fine grainedand essentially ferritic microstructures with strength values satisfying the minimum yieldstrength requirement of 415 MPa for the API X60 grade were easily obtained in all rollingconditions. However, the minimum yield strength requirement of 485 MPa for the APIX70 grade was reached only when accelerated cooling was applied after finish rolling. Theminimum 85% shear fracture required by the DWTT of the API PSL 2 specification couldbe met when the finish rolling temperature was lowered or when accelerated cooling wasapplied regardless of the finish rolling temperature.