Efeito do teor de Molibdênio na microestrutura de juntas soldadas em ligas Fe-Cr-Mo

Abstract

The high level of naphthenic acidity present in oils processed in refineries requires a high corrosion resistance of equipment and ducts. Among materials used in the Petroleum industry we highlight the Cr-Mo steels and austenitic stainless steel with molybdenum in their composition. These steels have not shown satisfactory performance when in contact with Petroleum rich in naphthenic acid. Iron-Chromium steels with Mo in their composition have become an alternative to this application. The main objective of this work was to study the effect the increasing of molybdenum content on the naphthenic corrosion resistance, microstructural changes, mechanical properties and weldability of Fe-Cr-Mo with Mo content higher than used in commercial alloys. Pseudo-binary diagrams for different compositions of Fe-Cr-Mo alloys were made to identify, phases and possible heat treatments. Solubilized samples of different alloy compositions were characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical properties of experimental alloys were determined the through hardness, tensile and impact tests. Welds were carried out with and without addition of material using TIG and MIG processes. HAZ grain size of alloys and microstructural characterization of welded regions and the microhardness survey were performed. The results showed that the alloys Fe-Cr-Mo showed a ferritic microstructure in the solubilized condition, with large grains and mechanical properties superior to commercial alloys. The molybdenum increases naphthenic corrosion resistance and has a significant effect in the mechanical properties. The increase of chromium and molybdenum contents favored a brittle behavior of alloys at room temperature. The studied alloys tend to exhibit a ductile behavior when tested at temperatures exceeding 60 °C. At a first glance, grain size and mechanical properties of the alloys indicated that it would be difficult to weld these alloys. However, it was possible to perform the welding of alloys using TIG and MIG processes. This work deals with phases and carbides that precipitate when welding with different parameters.