Properties and Microstructure of Laser Welded VM12-SHC Steel Pipes Joints

Paper presents results of microstructure and tests of welded joints of new generation VM12-SHC martensitic steel using high power CO₂ laser (LBW method) with bifocal welding head. VM12-SHC is dedicated to energetic installation material, designed to replace currently used. High content of chromium and others alloying elements improve its resistance and strength characteristic. Use of VM12-SHC steel for production of the superheaters, heating chambers and walls in steam boilers resulted in various weldability researches. In article are presented results of destructive and non-destructive tests. For destructive: static bending and Vickers hardness tests, and for non-destructive: VT, RT, UT, micro and macroscopic tests were performed.