Estudo das simulações de ciclos térmicos aplicadas à análise das zonas termicamente afetadas na soldagem de aços TMCP

Abstract

Metallic materials, particularly steels, play a prominent role in various engineering sectors. Their production grows every year, and with this growth, there is a modernization of production and manufacturing methods that seek to optimize costs and manufacturing time. Among the steels most commonly used due to their high engineering responsibilities are TMCP steels (Thermo-Mechanical Control Process), where the welding process is directly linked to their productivity. This specific process is related to one of the most essential characteristics that these steels must exhibit: good weldability. In this context, the present work aims to analyze the effectiveness of one of the most commonly used tests for studying weldability, the physical simulation of welding thermal cycles using the Gleeble® equipment, and to discuss the influence of different thermal cycles on the microstructure and properties of TMCP steels, especially those belonging to the Nb-Cr-Mo system of API 5L X-80 specification. These steels are processed in a way that ensures unique characteristics, which need to be minimally reproduced in the welded joints. Thus, a significant part of the analytical process involving the simulation of thermal cycles on the Gleeble® equipment was addressed, demonstrating its effectiveness and importance for such studies, and observing the main characteristics expected for a material that undergoes welding at different heat inputs, directly related to production costs.