Fatigue Crack Propagation Behavior in Butt Weldment of SA106 Gr.C Main Steam Pipe Steel

The fatigue crack propagation behavior in SA106 Gr.C main steam pipe weld joint was investigated in air environment. Crack growth rate tests were conducted on base metal and weld metal at load ratio of 0.1 and 0.3 and at frequency of 10Hz. The fatigue crack growth rates of the base metal and the weld metal were above the ASME reference line and the fatigue crack propagation rate of the weld metal was higher than those of the base metal. Fatigue crack growth rate increased with increasing the load ratio and the effect of the load ratio was more significant in the weld metal. The post weld heat treatment increased the fatigue crack growth rates of the base metal by reducing compressive residual stress and decreased those of the weld metal by reducing weld defects.