Microstructure engineering for high productivity welding of pipeline steels

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There are currently a number of significant proposals for expansion of the North American oil and natural gas pipeline system including the Mackenzie Valley, the Alaska North Slope and Keystone XL pipelines. These projects will involve the use of new higher strength steels (X80 and X100) and new welding techniques (tandem and dual torch gas metal arc or laser hybrid) to lower construction costs. It is critical for the integrity of these pipeline systems that the welds have well understood mechanical behaviour. There are further challenges for northern pipelines due to the low temperatures and the probable melting of significant regions of permafrost. These considerations have led to new strain based design performance criteria.