Avoidtemperembrittlementstepbystep.docVIP

Avoid Temper Embrittlement, Step by Step by Dr. Ingo Detemple and Rainer Kraut, Dillinger Hüttenwerke, Germany Introduction Pressure vessels for oil refining and coal liquifaction have been designed increasingly larger for greater efficiency under the operating conditions, turning higher both in temperature and pressure. Generally, CrMo and CrMoV steels are used as materials for the pressure vessel, with requirement for greater thickness, high strength, high toughness and little embrittlement during operation. Within the last decades, the phenomenon of temper embrittlement (TE) has recieved considerable attention. Since the operating temperatures of these vessels are in the range of 350 to 500 °C, the minimization of susceptibility for temper embrittlement is essential for safety and efficiency. When temper embrittlement occurs, the loss of toughness is indicated by a shift of the transition-curve to higher temperatures. A lot of investigations concerning the influence and mechanism of temper embrittlement have been carried out /1-3/. In principle, the below mentioned facts, found with 2?Cr1Mo steels, will characterize this type of embrittlement: TE impairs the toughness characteristics of 2?Cr1Mo steels which are held or slowly cooled down through a temperature range between 350 °C and 600 °C. TE occurs in low alloy steels when tramp elements such as P, Sn, Sb or As are present. In absence of those impurities, TE is not observed. The intensity of TE caused by specific impurities is also influenced by other alloying elements such amongst others Mn and Si The loss of toughness can be restored by reheating to temperatures above 600 °C, followed by accelerated cooling. The mode of fracture changes from transcrystalline to intercrystalline with increasing embrittlement and the fracture path follows the former austenitic grain boundaries. Based upon the above given topics, various methods of assessing potential embrittlement have been employed: Tools for assessing the su