Research on the influence of rare-earth and alkaline-earth micro-additions on the visco-plastic properties and brittle strength of cold-resistant low-alloy steel
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32347/2410-2547.2026.116.521-530Keywords:
fracture toughness, hydrogen embrittlement, corrosion cracking, microalloying, rare earth elements, crack growth kineticsAbstract
It has been established that one of the most effective additional reserves for improving the deformation capacity and fracture toughness of pipe steel under static and cyclic loading is cost-effective modification by microadditions containing rare-earth and alkaline-earth elements or their compounds. This approach is especially important when the potential for improving mechanical and viscoplastic properties by traditionally used alloying elements, such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, niobium, etc., has been fully exhausted.
At the same time, alloying pipe steels with these elements often fails to ensure high and stable mechanical properties, particularly under operating conditions in aggressive corrosive environments of oil and gas fields in Ukraine. Under alternating loading conditions, the service life of industrial pipelines in such environments is significantly reduced. For example, the service life of pipelines used for wastewater injection into wells at several oil fields in Western Ukraine is only 2–3 years instead of the planned 10–15 years.
Optimal concentrations of modifying additions have been determined, the introduction of which into low-alloy steel during the melting process leads to a significant increase in viscoplastic properties, brittle strength, and fracture toughness of the metal (in wt.%): cerium – 0.01–0.03; yttrium – 0.01–0.025; barium – 0.007–0.015; calcium – 0.001–0.0025; zirconium – 0.02–0.04. It has been established that the introduction of modifying additions within the specified concentration ranges promotes an increase in the fracture toughness of low-alloy steel over a wide temperature range from +20 to −60 °C.
The controlling role of globular non-metallic inclusions (mainly oxides and oxysulfides) in the process of brittle fracture of cold-resistant steels economically alloyed with Ni, Mo, V, and Nb has been demonstrated. Such inclusions contribute to microstructural refinement, while rare-earth and alkaline-earth elements, as well as zirconium, additionally influence the formation of second-phase particles, namely non-metallic inclusions. Non-metallic inclusions are considered to be sources of submicrocrack initiation at grain boundaries, thereby limiting the increase in the metal’s toughness reserve. It has been established that the presence of the above-mentioned non-metallic inclusions prevents the full realization of the beneficial effect of nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium on the level of brittle strength, despite grain refinement and an increase in the viscoplastic characteristics of the metal (KCV, K1 C, δC).
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