Materials Science Forum, Vol.486-487, 133-136, 2005
Effects of post-weld heat treatment on optimum cathodic protection potential of high-strength steel in marine environment conditions
The electrochemical and mechanical properties of welded high-strength steel were investigated using the slow strain rate test method with a constant applied cathodic potential. No correlations were found with the maximum tensile strength, yield strength, stress at failure, or hydrogen embrittlement. However, the elongation, time-to-fracture, and strain-to-failure ratio decreased as the potential became more negative. These parameters were greatest when the potential was -770mV, regardless of the post-weld heat treatment conditions. The elongation and time-to-fracture increased with PWHT.