Crystallographic study on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of coarse grained heat affected zone of a 500 MPa grade wind power steel

The effect of different welding heat inputs on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the simulated coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ) of high-strength wind power steel with yield strength of 500 MPa has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Charpy impact tests have demonstrated that there exists an optimum heat input of ∼20 kJ/cm that allows optimum impact toughness to be obtained for the CGHAZ. It was shown that this is related to the refined bainitic structure and the highest density of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) with misorientation angle of more than 45°. In crystallographic visualization studies, it was shown that the weakest variant selection occurs for the bainite transformation in the optimal heat input, leading to the highest density of HAGBs with each Closed-packet group containing two or three Bain groups and showing a staggered arrangement structure. The contribution that can effectively deflect and prevent crack propagation during impact experiments has to come from the block boundary. However, it was also found that the center segregation induced by C and Mn reduces the low-temperature impact toughness of the core sample before and after simulated welding, and affects the fluctuations of impact toughness and fatigue performance of simulated CGHAZ. Mn segregation can have a genetic effect on the welding heat affected zone, inducing a lower temperature martensitic transformation, which in turn leads to a decrease in low-temperature toughness and fatigue crack arrest performance.