Evaluation of hybrid welding of pipelines and joint integrity

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The proposed collaborative project, "Evaluation of hybrid welding of pipelines and joint integrity" involving the University of Waterloo (UW), and TC Energy Corp. (TCE) will promote the adoption of high performance hybrid arc and laser welding processes for energy infrastructure including pipelines, and help to identify material properties that avoid fracture in welds. The knowledge generated will provide welding performance data and specifications that can be used by TCE and their suppliers involved with other large infrastructure. The application of new advanced welding technology relies on evaluating their performance and comparing this to existing benchmarks such as current semi-automatic arc welding. Utilizing these new processes will promote the competitiveness of welding companies within Canada, and strengthen the status of advanced manufacturing. While evaluating joint mechanical properties, the project will also focus on developing more reliable criteria for predicting when fracture occurs at a weld under extreme loading conditions. Although welds are designed to reach a minimum stress and deformation to avoid fracture in the field, newer high strength linepipe steels may undergo softening after welding. This can limit their deformation in service, and can limit the strength of steels that can be used. By preforming tensile testing of joints with a wide range of properties, the mechanical properties that avoid premature fracture will be determined, and thus guide the development of more robust welding procedures and selection of materials in the future.