Temper Embrittlement of Pressure Vessel Steels

BY R. A. SWIFT A N D J . A. GULYA

Pressure vessel steels and weld metals operating up to 1100 F vary in

tendency to temper embrittlement depending on composition,
structure,
heat treatment and, in submerged arc welding, the choice of flux

R. A. SWIFT is Research Engineer and

J. A. GULYA is Supervisor, Alloy Research,
Lukens Steel Company, Coatesvi/le, Pa.

ABSTRACT. Temper embrittlement is

a particularly important consideration
for steels used in high pressure containment vessels operating in the
temperature range of 600 to 1100 F.
On this basis, a comprehensive
evaluation of commonly used pressure vessel steels and weld metals
was undertaken. The steels investi-

gated include C-Mo, M n - M o , M n - M o Ni and Cr-Mo steels. W e l d metals include C-Mo, M n - M o and Cr-Mo compositions. A total of 95 compositiontreatment combinations, including 20
composition-treatment combinations
of w e l d metal, have been evaluated.
Of the materials tested, susceptibility to temper embrittlement varied
with composition, structure, and heat
treatment. The susceptibility was lower for the C-Mo and M n - M o steels
than for the M n - M o - N i and Cr-Mo
steels. The addition of Ni to M n - M o

apparently increases susceptibility to

embrittlement. W i t h i n the scope of
the tests reported herein, no f i r m
trends in the effects of As, Sb, P, and
Sn on the susceptibility to temper e m brittlement are observed.
The results of embrittlement tests
on the w e l d metal were similar to
those obtained for the corresponding
plate steels. However, flux is a critical
factor in determining susceptibility. It
was shown that the susceptibility of
weld metal is generally more severe
than that of the base metal.

Table 1Specifications and Chemical Analysis of Materials Investigated

Type

ASTM
Specs (a)

Form

Heat

Mn

Cu

Ni

Cr

Mo

Al

A2948 .36
(RACO) .06

.73
1.02

.023
.023

.009
.015

24
.29

.23
.45

.13
08

.07
.05

.03
.54

.015
.013

As

Sb

.027
.024

.0026
.0023

Sn

C-Mo

A204C

Plate
Weld

Mn-Mo

A302B

Plate
Weld , b |
Plate

B5217 .19
(Linde) .07
A4069 .20

1.34
1.32
1.20

.023 .008
.016 .012
.018 .009

.25
.12
.11

26
.43
.24

.13
.04
.08

,14
.05
.07

.49
.47
.47

.042
.008
.031

Plate
Plate

C4689 .21
C4694 .24

1.27
1.32

.016 .011
.015 .009

.12
.11

.25
.15

.56
.56

.10
.08

.60
.55

.014
.019

Plate
Weld | b |
Weld |b)

15756 .19
(RACO) .06
(L&R) .11

.57
.80
.43

.024 .014
.012 .015
.022

.22
.24
.20

.30
.57
.35

.21
.14
.20

1.11
1.34
1.34

.51
.54
.49

.023
.013

Plate
Plate
Plate
Weld |b)
Weld ,b)
Plate .
Weld(b
Plate
Plate

B6730 .13
A2766 12
A3588 .12
(L&R-1) .13
(L&R-2) .12
C6669 .12
(L&R-3) (L-105)(C'11
A9367 .12

.46
48
.50
53
.44
.46
.47
.49
.39

.017
.018
.015
.012
.017
.024

.010
.011
.017
.017
.015
.010
.020
.011 .008
.020 .008

.17
.18
,16
.16
.15
.17
.16
.19
.15

.21
.26
.26
.27
.22
.21
.20
.29
.24

.13
.19
.16
.17
,18
.20
.17
.18
.48

2.06
2.27
2.28
2.25
.17
.31
.22
30
.11

.96
.88
.95
.95
.96
.95
.92
.97
.98

.018
.016
.008
.007
.008
.005
.007
.009
.015

.0034
.024

.0032
.0029

.012

.0025

.012

.00015

.00

9.3

Plate
Plate
Plate

(L-104)(c)13
B3683 .12
A2966 .14

.51
.40
.43

.009
.025
.021

.19
23
.15

.31
.26
.29

.18
.17
.22

3.12
3.00
2.90

.48
.89
.93

.012
.023
.010

.011
.018
.025

.0001
.0040
.0025

.00
.015
.013

10.2
19.8
18.9

A302B,
A533A
A302C,
A533B
1 Cr-Mo

A387B

2V4Cr-Mo A387D,
A542

None
3Cr-Mo

None
A387E

(a) Related plate specifications

(b) Sub-arc welds

.009
.010
.010

21.0 (l
18.6"

.017

18.7((
20.9

18.5 J)

(c) Laboratory melts

(d) "X calculated assuming 0 015% Sn

WELDING RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT!

57-s

+ 240

Fig- f Fracture appearance

temperature data for C-Mo, Mn-Mo

transition

andMn-Mo-N

+ 200

AAs Received or As Welded

TStress Relieved
S - S t e p Cooled

+ 160
+ 120
+ 80
<

+40

<
o

0
-40
-80
-120

o
>t

1 ) o
=*
vr

*
-*1 i1

o
CM

CM

1 2 3
A T S
A204C

< <

cv

n
CM

CM

I
r i o

<*
I

o
tf
1

I
C)

< o< o<

o
LC

in
CO

in
CO

O
C/5

<* *
^_
,
1

-"*

5 5 i
>* < <

4 5 6
A T S
WELD

7 8 9
A T S
A302B

10 11 12
A T S
WELD

1973

1
o

< o<

in

CO

The development of economies in

costs of material, fabrication, transportation and operation has promoted
the use of alloy plate steels in increasingly close proximity to maximum capability. Typically, steels are
being used at the higher strength
levels afforded by heat treatment and
at more extreme temperatures, both
for reasons for process economy.
This trend is apparent even in the relatively conservative approach used
in the field of pressure vessel construction for power generation, LNG
transport, and petroleum refining.
Under these conditions, properties
or characteristics that were previously considered secondary may become
prime or even limiting. Fatigue, creep
resistance,
hydrogen
resistance,
hardenability,
temperability
and
temper embrittlement are among the
features that fit this classification.
Creep resistance and temper e m brittlement are particularly important
considerations for steels used in containment vessels operating in the
temperature range of 6 0 0 to 1 1 0 0 F.
A n evaluation of the creep properties
of various pressure vessel steels has
been presented. 1 Subsequently, a preliminary
assessment
of
the
propensity of these same pressure
vessel steels to temper embrittlement
was undertaken.
Temper embrittlement can be defined as a shift in the Charpy V-notch

CJ

1(1

< <

'< i <
< < <

Introduction

58-s I F E B R U A R Y

<

<

<
<
<
o
n
o
-

i;

< i
.-1

CO

<

<
i n inn
~ *
i

c>
1

i i
CO

CO

13 14
A S
A302B

1
o

<)

<
<
o o

t )

<
o

: : IO
: !

15 16
A S
A302B

10P+5Sb+4Sn+As

C )
CO

u>

< <
o
o
2 9
-

1
L>

I 1

co

1
o

CO

CJ

< <

<

r*
LO i n

in
CM

CM

CV'

1
O

CO

CO

co

19 20
A S
A302C

in

o
o

CO

21 22
A S
A302C

O
LL.

CJ
LL.

o
o
un m

n^

O o
3 5
o o

<*
-**-

CM

|
o
<
<
o o

<

<* <
o
o

17 18
A S
A533A

PP m M 1
100
0)
can be used to s h o w there is a s_trong
dependence of susceptibility to X and

o
si &
cp o

CJ
U-

o o
in in
t 1

energy absorption and fracture appearance curves to higher temperatures w h e n a heat treated steel is
either slow cooled through
the
temperature range of 1100 to 600 F
or held for long periods of time w i t h i n
this range. Brittle fractures in temper
embrittled steels follow intergranular
paths along prior austenitic grain
boundaries. The embrittlement is reversible. Short time heating above
1100 F followed by rapid cooling
through the embrittling temperature
range results in the elimination of
temper embrittlement. Brittle fractures in a de-embrittled steel exhibit
transgranular cleavage.
Temper embrittlement has been
studied extensively over the past
twenty years in plate steels 2 - 5 and
more recently in weld m e t a l s . 6 - 8
Present theories as to cause focus on
the role of impurities such as As, Sb,
P and Sn, combined w i t h their complex reactions in the presence of certain alloying elements, particularly
Ni, Cr, M n a n d S i .
Bruscato 6 has developed an embrittling factor X such that the impact
energy absorbed at +50 F by stepcooled 2V4Cr-1Mo steel can be qualitatively predicted. The factor, given
by
_
X=

CJ
U_

o
UJ

C/)

u
<

CO

CM

m
co
H

<

-<
-<1

r |i r |i ri |
cn

o o
5 5

<

<
< <
o o

CO

-160
SERIES
TREATMENT
MATERIAL

<

CJ
CO

1
O

CJ
CO

CO

CO

CO

CJ

i)

O'

<o

si
o
n
cn

lf>
I!)

23 24
A S
A533B

o
5

25 26
A S
A533B

temper embrittlement on (Mn + Si) %.

The energy absorbed at +50 F is
plotted as a function of X and ( M n +
Si) and a trend is seen. W h e n the ( M j i
+ Si) is high, as is w e l d metal, X
must be low. However, plate material
has a relatively low (Mn + Si), typicah_
ly 0.60 to 0.80, so that much larger X
can be tolerated. This is detailed in
Bruscato's paper.
W h i l e the end-user, designer and
fabricator have an academic interest
in the theories, they are primarily concerned w i t h the extent of degradation
of standard materials expressed in f a miliar
parameters. Although
no
single experimental approach is likely
to simulate the broadly varying conditions of application, this study covers
a range of commercial materials and
provides comparisons in terms of the
familiar Charpy test.
Experimental Procedure
General
Step-cooling treatments were utilized to induce temper embrittlement
and
cannot
be
interpreted
quantitatively in terms of actual
process conditions. Step-cooling is a
sequence of programmed isothermal
aging treatments at progressively
lower temperatures in the range of
1100 to 600 F that provides an effective, accelerated screening technique
to determine the relative susceptibility of a material to temper e m brittlement. The propensity to embrit-

+ 240

+ 200
Fig. 2 Fracture
appearance
transition
temperature
data for 1 Cr-'AMo steel

AAs Received or As Welded

TStress Relieved
S-Step Cooled

+ 160

+ 120

CJ

+80

or
_J
<:
or
UJ

+40

</)
1

OL

Table 2 Typical Step-Cool Cycle

-80
1000 F

<
*

o
-40

Heat to 1 1 0 0 F
Hold 1 hour
Furnace cool to
Hold 16 hours
Furnace cool to
Hold 24 hours
Furnace cool to
Hold 72 hours
Furnace cool to
Hold 96 hours
Furnace cool to
Hold 120 hours
Furnace cool to
A i r cool

() < )

-120

975 F

^r

CJ
< o< <
o

- cn

o
LI)

u>
Q

1 | |
CJ
- < < <
o
LO

o
LO

875 F

27 28 29
A T S
A387B

CO

o1

T
?

O
CO

< <
o

o o
<*
S

SERIES
TREATMENT
MATERIAL

CO

< <

160

925 F

o
o
CJ CJ

oU)

.i

I
S:

<

<

30 31 32
A T S
WELD

CN

7 7

?
a

1
o

<. <

<:
<

?.

<

CM

7
7
? 3
a

<

33 36 37
A T S
WELD

33 34 35
A T S
WELD

850 F
650 F

Fig. 3 Fracture
appearance
transition
temperature
data for 2'ACr- 1Mo steel

AAs Received or As Welded

S - S t e p Cooled
RRetempered

+ 120
+ 80
cr

<

<

+ 40

LJ

h-

-40

CJ
CO

CJ
CO

o o o

< < <

-80
o

-120
-160
SERIES
TREATMENT
MATERIAL

CM CM

38 39 40
A S R
A387D

41 42 4 3
A S R
A542

44 45 46
A S R
A542

47 4 8 49
A S R
A542

50 51 52
A S R
A542
WELDING

53 54
A S
A542
RESEARCH

55 56
A S
A 542

57 58
A S
A542

SUPPLEMENT!

59-s

Table 3 C - M o Tensile Data

ASTM
Specif.

Test
No.

Form

Heat

A204C

Plate

A2948

Weld

(RACO)

.2% YS,
ksi

Treatment(a|

66.3
57.4
50.8
65.2
58.2
53.5

1 6 5 0 AC + 1 2 5 0 AC
Test 1 + 1 1 4 0 AC
Test 2 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 4 + 1140 AC
Test 5 + Step-cool

1
2
3
4
5
6

Elong.
2 in.,

UTS,
ksi
79.8
79.8
73.8
81.1(b)
81.6 ( b )
76.9 , b )

Red
area.

30.0
29.5
32.0
16.0
21.0
17.5

64.5
64.8
67.6
62.7
62.6
65.2

Rockwell
A
49.8
52.3

51.1
50.6

(a) AC = air cooled

(b) Fracture occurred in base metal

Table 4 C - M o I m p a c t Data

ASTM
Specif.

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no

A204C

Plate

A2948

Weld

(RACO)

3
4
5
6

Treatment (a)

F.ATT |bl
F

Energy
af FATT,
ft-lb

1650 AC + 1250 AC
Test 1 + 11 4 0 AC
Test 2 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 4 + 11 4 0 AC
Test 5 + Step-cool

+30
+80
+60
+60
+80
+80

72
85
82
39
53
42

Energy
at 5 0 F,
ft-lb

4 0 ft-lb
transition
temp, F

Upper
shelf
energy,
ft-lb

82
70
82
34
45
38

-10
- 5
-10
+75
+25
+60

110
102
120
52
63
55

(a) AC = air cooled

(b) FATT = f r a c t u r e a p p e a r a n c e t r a n s i t i o n t e m p e r a t u r e

Table 5 M n - M o Tensile Data

ASTM
Specif.
A302B

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no.

Plate

B5217

Weld

(Linde)

Plate

A4069

A533A

Plate

A4069

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

A302C

Plate

C4689

Plate

C4694

Plate

C4689

18
19
20
21
22
23

Plate

C4694

24
25

A533B

26
(a) AC = air cooled; W Q - w a t e r q u e n c h e d ; FC = f u r n a c e c o o l e d
(b) 0 . 5 0 5 in. d i a m test s p e c i m e n ; o t h e r s 0 . 2 5 2 in. diam
(c) Fracture occurred in base metal

60-s I F E B R U A R Y

1973

Treatment
1 6 5 0 AC + 1 2 5 0 AC
Test 7 + 11 4 0 AC
Test 8 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 1 0 + 1 1 4 0 AC
Test 11 + Step-cool
1 6 0 0 AC + 1 1 5 0 AC
Test 13 + Step-cool
1 6 0 0 AC + 1 100 AC
Test 1 5 + Step-cool
1600WQ+1100AC +
1 150-18-WQ
Test 17 + Step-cool
1 6 5 0 AC + 1 2 7 5 AC
Test 19 + Step-cool
1 6 5 0 AC + 1275 AC
Test 21 + Step-cool
1650WQ+ 1240WQ +
1150-50-FC
Test 23 + Step-cool
1 650 W Q + 1 240 WQ +
1150-50-FC
Test 25 + Step-cool

.2% YS,
ksi

UTS,
ksi

61.6
60.1
56.2
60.6
59.4
60.1
73.5
70.8
79.5
74.3
96.0

80.1
78.4
77.6
82.4 | C )
80.0(c'
82.2lc)
93.4
92.7
99.0
95.4
104.9

87.3
70.2
67.0
75.2
72.5
81.9

Elong.
1 in..

Red.
area,

Rockwell
A

31.0 (b)
30.5 |b)
31.0 (b)
17.0 l b
22.5 (b)
19.0(b)
26.3
26.8
23.4
27.3
23.8

69.6
71.4
70.7
69.7
69.8
68.0
63.2
63.3
61.5
63.5
69.1

52.5
50.4

102.1
89.6
89.1
96.7
96.1
96.7

25.0
28.7
28.7
26.9
28.8
28.8

67.0
72.9
71.0
68.0
68.8
74.9

56.1
53.8
53.2
55 3
55.2
56.0

81.7
88.7

96.2
100.3

28.2
27.5

72.1
69.8

55.8
57.1

87.5

100.3

26.2

67.6

57.1

54.5
49.8

55.3
54.6
56.0
55.0
59.2

+ 240

+ 200
+ 160

AReceived or As Welded
TStress Relieved
SStep Cooled
SSDouble Step Cooled

+ 120
U_

LJ

or
z>

<
or

8 0

CO

+40

CO

CO

CO

CO

CO

UJ
Q_

o o o

- <
o o< o <

I-

-40

in
CM

-120
-160
SERIES
TREATMENT
MATERIAL

in
CM

- o o

_ o
1
o
. Qg
IT)
1^

LO

1-1
LO
CM

in
CM

g
o

LO

r^

59 60 61
T

<

7
O
LO
.i

S SS
A542

UJ

r~.

g
o

Q
UJ

ID

o o
1
O

o o

<r-<*

< < <

IT)

-80

CO

LO
CM

<
62 63

o
<
o

or
UJ

64

Q
LU

in

CO

LO

r-.
o o

7 7

A T S SS
A542

65 66

UJ
Q

transition

temperature

o
<
o

o
1
o
g
o

68 69 70 71

< <

1-

< < <

67

1
g

Fig. 4 Fracture appearance

tie was measured mainly in terms of

the shift in the fracture appearance
transition temperature (FATT) observed in Charpy V-notch (CVN) tests.
The FATT in CVN tests is generally accepted as one of the more reliable
and convenient standards of toughness. Other criteria such as upper
shelf energy and energy absorbed or
fracture appearance at a given
temperature were convenient outgrowths of the data and are included
for completeness.
Base data on unembrittled plate
and some weld metals w e r e initially
generated. The data included c h e m istry, microstructure, impact, tensile
and hardness test results. Plates
were tested in their normal condition
of heat treatment and welds were
tested in the as-deposited condition.
All welds and some plate compositions were then subjected to a temper
or stress-relief prior to the next
evaluation. A l l were subjected to a
step-cooling treatment and retested.
Finally, selected step-cooled series
were given a temper or stress-relief
prior to the concluding tests. Tensile
a n d / o r hardness tests were used to
monitor strength changes. M e t a l lography and fractography w e r e e m ployed to establish the nature of observed embrittlement. General structure, fracture path and grain size are
among the metallographic features
examined.

.-H

CM

<

in

A T
S
WELD

(-

A T
S
WELD

LO
<M

1Q
Z

LO
CM

CLi
Q

<

1 O
o g o
o o og
LO
LO
LO
1^
|\
<(

H
O

QC
UJ

O
in
r-v

<

in
>1

in

CM

1
g

<

Materials
The plate materials used in this i n vestigation
were
primarily
from
production heats of commercial low
alloy steel plate compositions. In one
case w h e r e a laboratory melt was
used (3Cr- 1 /2Mo steel) a companion
laboratory heat of 2V4Cr-1Mo steel
was also tested. The similarity of e m brittlement data from both production
and laboratory 2ViCr-1Mo heats supported the validity of the data on the
3Cr-V4Mo analysis.
Weld metals appropriate for the
plate steel were all deposited by the
submerged arc process using a single
head DC reverse polarity technique
w i t h a nominal heat input of 55
k J / i n . The variations in flux, filler,
and procedure were all w i t h i n the
scope of good practice. The welding
parameters are not detailed because
of the limited number of welds
produced.
Table 1 lists the chemical composition of the weld deposits and the
plate materials, along w i t h the associated A S T M specifications.
Heat Treatment
Initial plate tests were conducted
on material subjected to the standard
treatment appropriate for the grade.
Nonstandard treatments were applied only in those cases w h e r e it was
desired to develop special char-

in
t^

o
m

< <
CM

cr

>i

LU
hLU
Q

CM

rh
<y
g

1O

8 8

r^ r*.

72 73
74
A T
S
WELD

data for 21ACr-1Mo

75 76
A S
A542

o
< o
<
r^

LO

LO

r 4 - CM

7 7
o

g og
o
in

IO

r^

77 78
A S
A542 + Ni

steel

acteristics for study, such as coarse

grain or very high strength. W e l d metals were initially tested in the as-deposited condition. Selected plates
and all of the w e l d metals were given
a tempering or Stress-relieving treatment. All materials were subjected to
the step-cooling treatment described
in Table 2 to induce embrittlement.
Some materials were tested to determine the reversibility of embrittlement by subsequent retempering for
one hour at 1100 F. The treatments
for each test are reported in conjunction w i t h the mechanical property results in Tables 3 through 12.
Test Procedures
A l l tests were performed in accordance w i t h pertinent ASTM specifications. Standard 0.252-in.-diam t e n sile specimens of plate material w e r e
oriented longitudinal to the final rolling direction. These tests were conducted to confirm adherence to material specifications and to disclose
any effects of subsequent tempering
or step-cooling treatments included
in the experimental program. For
those stages of plate evaluation
where sufficient material for tensile
specimens
was
not
available,
strength was monitored by hardness
testing. A l l welds w e r e monitored by
hardness testing after each stage of
processing.

WELDING RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT!

61-s

Table 6 M n - M o Impact Data

ASTM
Specif.

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no.

A302B

Plate

B5217

Weld

(Linde)

Plate

A4069

A533A

Plate

A4069

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

A302C

Plate

C4689

C4689

18
19
20
21
22
23

C4694

24
25

C4694
A533B

Plate

Treatment

1650 AC + 1 2 5 0 AC
Test 7 + 11 4 0 AC
Test 8 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 10 + 1 1 4 0 AC
Test 11 + Step-cool
1 6 0 0 AC + 11 5 0 AC
Test 13 + Step-cool
1600 AC + 1 1 0 0 AC
Test 15 + Step-cool
1 6 0 0 W Q + 1 1 0 0 AC +
1150-18-WQ
Test 17 + Step-cool
1 6 5 0 AC + 1275 AC
Test 19 + Step-cool
1650 AC + 1275 AC
Test 21 + Step-cool
1650 W Q + 1240 W Q f
1150-50-FC
Test 23 + Step-cool
1 650 W Q + 1240 W Q +
1150-50-FC
Test 25 + Step-cool

26

Energy
at 5 0 F,
ft-lb

+40
+75
+65
+45
+60
+80
+10
+30
+15
+ 15
-95

82
95
88
46
55
47
72
70
66
68
73

95
90
85
48
56
65
83
83
85
85
130

<-40
<-10
-50
+20
<-10
+40
-75
-40
-40
-50
-175

130
120
120
68
80
65
130
120
100
120
145

-75
+40
+60
+75
+85
-65

65
48
62
50
46
46

123
52
48
40
35
82

-135
+10
+20
+45
+70
-80

140
90
82
80
80
82

-20
-80

42
39

77
67

-25
-75

85
67

-20

40

62

-20

70

FATT""
F

4 0 ft-lb
transition
temp, F

Upper
shelf
energy,
ft-lb

Energy
at FATT,
ft-lb

(a) AC - air cooled; W Q = w a t e r q u e n c h e d ; FC = f u r n a c e cooled

{b} FATT = f r a c t u r e appearance t r a n s i t i o n t e m p e r a t u r e

Table 71 C r - M o Tensile Data

Elong.
ASTM
Specif.
A387B

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no.

Plate

15756

Weld

(RACO)

Weld

(L&R)

27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

Treatment

Red.
area

. 2 % YS,
ksi

UTS,
ksi

2 in.,

48.3
46.0
44.1
51.0
47.5
49.7

68.6
68.7

32.5
32.5
34.5
15.0
19.0
15.5

70.8
71.4
70.5
67.9
70.7
67.4

1750 AC + 1 2 5 0 AC
Test 2 7 + 1 1 4 0 AC
Test 28 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 3 0 + 1 1 4 0 AC
Test 31 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 33 + 11 5 0 AC
Test 3 4 + Step-cool
Test 33 + 1 2 0 0 AC
Test 36 + Step-cool

67

-7ib.

73.3 < b )
69.6(b)
73.3(b)

Rockwell
A
49.5
48.6
47.0
56.7
57,6

56.5
54.7
58.7

Hardness Tests only

54.6

(a) AC = air cooled

(b) Fracture occurred in base metal

Table 8 C r - M o Impact Data

ASTM
Specif
A387B

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no.

Plate

15756

Weld

(RACO)

Weld

(L&R)

27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37

(a) AC - air cooled

(b) FATT = f r a c t u r e appearance t r a n s i t i o n t e m p e r a t u r e

62-s I F E B R U A R Y

1973

(a)

Treatment
1 7 5 0 AC + 1250 AC
Test 27 + 1 1 4 0 AC
Test 2 8 + Step-cool
As-weldei i
Test 3 0 + 1 1 4 0 AC
Test 31 + Step-cool
As-weldei i
Test 33 + 11 5 0 AC
Test 3 4 + Step-cool
Test 33 + 1 2 0 0 AC
Test 36 + Step-cool

FATT,
F
+40
+35
+45
+85
+115
+140
+75
+ 85
+ 50
+ 75
+ 30

(b)

Energy
at FATT,
ft-lb
67
93
87
35
40
31
36
37
50
42
130

Energy
at 5 0 F,
ft-lb
75
120
95
30
20
11
28
28
40
33
145

4 0 ft-lb
transition
temp, F

Upper
shelf
energy,
ft-lb.

+ 15
-10
- 5
+115
+115
+ 170
+70
+95
+50
+70
+10

105
130
125
50
50
45
60
60
70
64
145

+ 240

+ 200

AAs Received
SStep Cooled
SSDouble Step Cooled

+ 160
+ 120
+ 80
CC

z>

<

+ 40

O
CO

or

(,)
U-

O
u_
un LO
r^
rv
CM O J

-80
-120

CJ
CO

-40

<
O

<O
rtrr
r^

CM

CM
,i

LO

1/5

LO
CM

C)

83 84 85
A S SS
A387E

86 87
A S
QT A387E

(N
(T)

l\l

Tt

.-<

cr
S

ro

o
5

8 8

rv

r^ r^-

81 82
A S
A387E

<
<
in
LO

8 8

Ti

SERIES
79 80
TREATMENT
A S
MATERIAL
3Cr '/i Mo

o Cv
g g

3 g
r-s

< <

8 8
-160

l>s

CO

CO

>1

CO
CJ

<

LO
CM
i1

Cv

<
in
CM

<
1*1

5 g

o
< <
in
CM

in
CM

rtrr co
,~4

8 8

8 8

*-' >
88 89
A S
QT A387-E

90 91
A S
QT A387E

92 93
A S
QT A387E

94 95
A S
QT A387E

Fig. 5 Fracture appearance transition temperature data for 3Cr-Mo steel

Impact tests of the plate were f u l l size, transversely-oriented Charpy Vnotch type. The weld metal impact
specimens were full size and cut f r o m
the quarterline of the w e l d and transverse to the w e l d axis. The energy absorption was measured over the
range of temperatures necessary to
provide 0 to 100% fibrous fracture
and to define the upper shelf energy.
For both tensile and impact testing,
specimens from heavy gage plate (1 %
in. and over) were removed from the
quarter-thickness location. For light
plate, the specimens w e r e removed
from the surface to conserve material. In these light gages the t w o
locations are proximate both physically and metallurgically. Specimen location and plate gage is not significant
to embrittlement evaluation as long
as both are consistent throughout a
series of tests on a specific material.
Thus, these specimen details are not
included in the tabulations.
Metallographic examinations w e r e
conducted on impact specimens of all
materials in all conditions. Fracture
surfaces were nickel plated and examined w i t h the light microscope for
general structure, prior austenitic
grain size and fracture path. Standard
t w o stage replication
techniques
were used for electron microscope
fracture edge examination. In addition, fractography was performed
using plastic replicas and electron
microscopic techniques.

Results
C-Mo Steel
Plate
conforming
to
ASTM
specification A204C was tested in
the normalized and tempered condition, after an additional tempering
cycle, and finally after step-cooling. A
submerged arc weld deposited in this
plate was tested as-deposited, after
tempering, and after step-cooling. Results are identified as Tests 1 through
6 in Tables 3 and 4 and Fig. 1.
A reduction in yield strength is
noted (Table 3) after each thermal
treatment and the weld appears to be
slightly more temper resistant. The
tensile strength of neither the w e l d
metal nor the plate was affected by
the additional temper. The step cool
cycle decreased the tensile strength
of both plate and weld by equivalent
amounts. The trends
in tensile
elongation and reduction of area are
not clear from this minimal data, a l though each subsequent treatment
appears to cause an increase in
ductility.
The trends in the various toughness criteria (Table 4) are not readily
discerned from the available quantity
of data. In general, the plate material
offers slightly more favorable values.
Relatively little propensity to e m brittlement is observed in either case.
Mn-Mo Steels
Plate
conforming

to

ASTM

specification A 3 0 2 B and an associated submerged arc weld metal

were subjected to the same sequence
of treatment and testing as the
A204C previously described. The t e n sile tests (Table 5, Tests 7 through 1 2)
showed little change w i t h additionaltreatments, except for a slight drop in
plate tensile and yield strength. Both
plate and weld impact data suggest
little deterioration from the step-cooling as show in Figure 1 and Table 6.
A second A302B plate initially subjected to t w o different tempering
temperatures (1100 and 1150 F) w a s
step-cooled without an intervening
temper. The tensile results (Table 5,
Tests 13 through 16) show a slight
drop in yield and tensile w i t h a corresponding
minor
increase
in
ductility. Figure 1 and Table 6 show
little effect of step-cooling on the i m pact properties; the largest change
being a 35 F (-75 to - 4 0 ) increase in
the 4 0 ft-lb transition temperature.
Tests (Nos. 17 and 18) w e r e also
conducted on this same plate in the
quenched and tempered condition
(ASTM A533A), both as-treated and
after a step-cool. The various notch
toughness criteria indicate minor e m brittlement.
ASTM A302C and A 5 3 3 B are s i m ilar to A 3 0 2 B and A 5 3 3 A respectively
except for the addition of about 0.5%
nickel. Plates from t w o different
heats of these M n - M o - N i steels w e r e
evaluated. Again, the tensile data

WELDING RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT!

63-s

, ^ y \

'.-,

.-.0X
-

*i

&

.'

:.

Fig. 6 Fracture edge of as tempered (a) and step cooled (b) Charpy V-notch impact specimens.

- f

...

. * * >

>

"

Nital-picral

etch, X250, reduced

20%

Jf ;< ,Jcr " I

i?x rt

*-,r>*,v%>

Vii*
v?,'>#.<?

,& * * f/gr. 7 Electron micrographs of nickel plated fracture edge of as tempered

Nital-picral etch. Two stage plastic replica. Au-Pd shadowed from fracture

(a) and step cooled (b) Charpy V-notch impact

edge, X3.200, not reduced

specimens.

NC

%,.,.

,!:-' , '*^%.-r*m|->-i. lf '-%v

F/c;. 8 Electron fractographs

X4.500, not reduced
64-s I F E B R U A R Y

1 973

ofas tempered

(a) and step cooled (b) Charpy V-notch impact specimens.

Au-Pd shadowed

from

notch,

Table 921/4Cr-MoTensile Data

ASTM
Specif.

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no.

Plate

B6730

38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59

A387D
Plate

B6730

A542

A2766

A3588

None

Weld

(L&R-1)

Weld

(L&R-2)

Plate

C6669

Weld

(L&R-3)

Plate

LI 05

Plate

A9367

60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78

Treatment

(a)

1750 FC + 1325 AC
Test 38 + Step-cool
Test 39 + 1100 AC
1750 WQ + 1325 AC
Test 41 + Step-cool
Test 42 + 1100 AC
1750 WQ + 1125 AC
Test 44 + Step-cool
Test 45 + 1100 AC
1750-8-WQ + 1325-8-WQ
Test 47 + Step-cool
Test 48 + 1100 AC
1750-8-WQ + 1125-8-AC
Test 50 + Step-cool
Test 51 + 1100 AC
1700 WQ + 1275 AC
Test 53 + Step-cool
2000 WQ + 1275 AC
Test 55 + Step-cool
2300 W Q + 1 2 7 5 AC
Test 57 + Step-cool
1750 WQ+1075-15-AC +
1250 AC
Test 59 + Step-cool
Test 60 + Step-cool
As-Welded
Test 62 + 1250 AC
Test 63 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 65 +1250 AC
Test 66 + Step-cool
1750 W Q + 1075-15-AC
Test 68 + 1250 AC
Test 69 + Step-cool
Test 70 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 72 + 1250 AC
Test 73 + Step-cool
1 700 WQ + 1275 AC
Test 75 + Step-cool
1750 W Q + 1 2 7 5 AC
Test 77 + 1100 AC +
Step-cool

2 % YS,
ksi
42.7

41,0
63.6
68.1
67.4
140.4
123.5
118.3
68.4
68.1
67.0
117.3
118.3
115.8

UTS,
ksi

Elong.
1 in.,

33.5
No tTested
31..0
68.8
30.5
84.3
26.5
89.8
26.0
88.6
16.5
155.8
18.0
137.5
131.7
19.0
86.9
26.5
86.9
25.0
85.5
25.0
20.0
133.3
20.0
134.6
132.1
20.0
68.2

Red.
area,

%
73.5

73.3
77.4
75.0
77.4
64.8
68.2
69.6
75.7
74.4
76.3
66.9
67.0
68.5

Hardness Tests
O r iy

99.9
81.6
80.6

23.5
115.2
Hardness Test Only
99.4
21.5
22.0
99.6

70.7
62.7
64.6

Rockwell
A
46.6
47.5
47.3
54.8
53.6
52.9
63.6
629
64.1
55.1
53.3
53.5
64.7
64.5
63.8
53.6
52.6
54.1
54.7
54.2
52.1
56.0
55.4
57.4
63.7
55.4
56.8
62.9
54.9
56.3
61.8
55.2
55.1
56.8
62.2
54.9
56.9
55.0
55.5
54.5

I AC - air cooled; WQ - water quenched; FC = furnace cooled

(Table 5, Tests No. 19 through 26)

show step cooling caused a slight
yield strength loss w i t h minimal ductility
loss
restricted
to
A533B
(quenched
and
tempered).
The
deterioration of toughness (Table 6,
Fig. 1) from step cooling is not major
as evidenced by a maximum shift of
2 0 F in FATT for A302C and 6 0 F for
A 5 3 3 B . It should be noted that
despite the larger shift for A 5 3 3 B , its
FATT after step cooling as - 2 0 F for
both plates, while A302C plates were
+ 10and+20F.
Detailed chemical
analyses
of
these two heats were performed and
are listed in Table 1. The analyses for
embrittling constituents As, Sb and P
are similar as a r e j h e M n and Si concentrations. A n X factor 6 was calculated assuming 0.01 5% Sn (1 5 0 ppm)
w h i c h is a typical Sn concentration.
Because of the similarities in com-

position, no large differences in susceptibility to temper embrittlement

was expected. This is substantiated
by the data.
1 Cr-Mo Steel
One plate of ASTM A 3 8 7 B steel
was
investigated
in the
usual
normalized and tempered condition,
after an additional temper, and after a
subsequent step cool. Tests 27, 28
and 29 in Tables 7 and 8 and Fig. 2
detail the results. The later treatments reduced both yield strength
and toughness by a small degree only.
The t w o welds made in this plate
and similarly treated (Tests
30
through 35) responded differently to
step-cooling; one decreased in toughness (Test 30-32) w h i l e the other i n creased (Tests 33-35). The w e l d
w h i c h increased in toughness ex-

hibited an additional increase w h e n

the tempering temperature prior to
step cooling was raised (Tests 33
through 37). The difference between
the t w o welds was in the welding flux
used indicating the importance of this
variable.
2V4Cr-Mo Steels
A one-inch gage plate of 21/4Cr1Mo (ASTM A387D) was furnace
cooled after austenitizing to simulate
a normalization of an 11 in. gage
plate. After tempering, it was stepcooled and subsequently tempered at
1100 F, (Tests 38, 39, 40). The e m brittling treatment appeared to have
little effect on strength or notch
toughness. The largest shift in FATT
was +10 F. A l l data for this composition are given in Tables 9 and 10 and
Figs. 3 and 4.

WELDING RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT!

65-s

Table 1021/4Cr-Mo Impact Data

ASTM
Specif.

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no.

A387D

Plate

B6730

38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59

1750 FC + 1325 AC
Test 38 + Step-cool
Test 39 + 1100 AC
1750 WQ + 1325 AC
Test 41 + Step-cool
Test 42 + 1100 AC
1 7 5 0 W Q + 1125 AC
Test 44 + Step-cool
Test 45 + 1100 AC
1750-8-WQ + 1325-8-WQ
Test 47 + Step-cool
Test 48 + 1100 AC
1750-8-WQ + 1125-8-AC
Test 50 + Step-cool
Test 51 + 1100 AC
1700 WQ + 1 275 AC
Test 53 + Step-cool
2000 WQ + 1 275 AC
Test 55 + Step-cool
2300 WQ+ 1275 AC
Test 57 + Step-cool
1750 WQ + 1075-1 5-AC +
1250 AC

60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78

Test 59 + Step-cool
Test 60 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 65 + 1250 AC
Test 66 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 65 + 1 250 AC
Test 66 + Step-cool
1750 W Q + 1075-15-AC
Test 68 + 1250 AC
Test 69 + Step-cool
Test 70 + Step-cool
As-welded
Test 72 + 1250 AC
Test 73 + Step-cool
1700 WQ+ 1275 AC
Test 75 + Step-cool
1750 WQ+ 1275 AC
Test 77 + 1100 AC +
Step-cool

A542

Plate

B6730

A2766

A3588

Weld

(L&R-1)
(L&R-2)

Plate

None

C6669

Weld

(L&R-3)

Plate

(L105)

Plate

A9367

FATT,

Energy
at FATT,

ft-lb

,b)

Treatment

(a)

Upper
Shelf

Energy,
at 50 F,
ft-lb

4 0 ft-lb
transition
temp, F

Energy
ft-lb

+ 90
+ 85
-100
- 80
-100
- 25
+ 35
- 50
- 35
+ 20
- 20
+230
+240
+ 180
- 60
- 10
- 70
+ 5
- 50
- 40
-110

100
102
127
80
100
100
56
48
58
100
94
87
57
64
66
80
86
70
70
90
101
85

45
62
100
150
150
125
80
55
75
140
120
135
26
30
34
140
118
128
86
142
143
140

+ 25
- 5
+ 15
-185
-155
-200
- 65
0
-110
- 45
- 55
-105
+150
+ 165
+100
-150
- 90
-110
- 60
-140
- 90
-150

150
150
150
150
150
140
80
60
80
140
140
140
70
75
80
140
118
126
117
144
146
140

- 55
- 45
+ 170
+ 30

75
105
34
30

140
140
9
65
80
35
80
20

-105
-100
+200
+ 20
+ 10
+ 90
- 20
+ 95

140
140
45
105
105
42
95
88

120
115
120
38
115
61
90
90
69
62

-130
- 95
- 80
+ 70
- 80
+ 10
-165
-155
-100
- 45

120
125
130
85
115
85
105
105
68
62

+ 75

+ 45
- 10

34
44

- 60
- 25
- 15
+120
- 50

85
72
70
52
80

-130
-115
-100
- 40

47
51
44
33

(a) FC - furnace cooled; AC - air cooled; WQ - water quenched

(b) Fracture appearance transition temperature

Material from this same plate w a s

also quenched and tempered to t w o
tensile strength levels, 84 ksi (A542)
and 156 ksi. This w a s followed by a
step-cool and a final retemper at
1 1 0 0 F. Results of these tests (Nos.
41-46) show that step-cooling the
low strength material increased the
yield and ultimate by approximately 5
ksi w i t h a corresponding decrease in
elongation and reduction of area. The
trend w a s reversed in the high
strength material. After the final
temper, the low strength material
showed little further change, w h i l e
the high strength plate continued its
trend. Step cooling of the low
strength plate caused a A FATT of
+20 F but the original FATT o f - 1 0 0 F
was restored by the final temper. The
FATT of the 156 ksi plate shifted +60
F after step cooling. After the final
66-s | F E B R U A R Y

1973

temper it shifted - 2 5 deg F.

A similar series of tests w e r e performed on another A 5 4 2 steel heat
treated to 87 and 1 33 ksi UTS levels.
In this series, (Nos. 47 through 52)
tensile
property
changes
were
insignificant. The toughness of the 87
ksi plate w a s more affected by step
cooling shifting the FATT +55 F than
the high strength condition w h i c h
shifted only +10 F. A n improvement
in the toughness of the 133 ksi plate
w i t h the 1 1 0 0 F temper was observed. The apparent
low
susceptibility of the plate at the high
strength level to temper brittleness
may be due to the poor toughness to
begin w i t h . As reported by McMahon 9 , there is an upper limit e m brittlement for a particular steel and
the loss in toughness w i l l approach
this limit by either temper brittleness

or an inherently poor toughness.

This s a m e
plate
was
then
austenitized at three temperatures to
ascertain grain size effects (Tests 5 3 58). The grain sizes varied from
ASTM -0.4 to 7,5. The strength w a s
monitored by hardness tests w h i c h
showed a range in Rockwell A hardness of 52.1 to 54.7. This series of
tests indicated that there is a critical
grain size for maximum embrittlement. The fine grain material had a
shift in FATT of +50 F and the coarse
grained material showed a shift in
FATT of +10 F, However, the material
w i t h the intermediate grain size
(ASTM 5.5) experiences a shift in
FATT of +75 F. See Fig. 3. This same
trend
is evident
in the
other
measures of toughness.
Plate from a third heat of 21/4Cr1Mo in the quenched and tempered

Table 113Cr-Mo Tensile Data

ASTM
Specif.

Form

Heat
no.

None

Plate

L104

A387E

A387E

Plate

Plate

Plate

B3683

B3683

A2966

Test
no.

ta)

Treatment
1700 WQ + 1275 AC
Test 79 + Step-cool
1750 AC + 1325 AC
Test 81 + Step-cool
1 700 AC + 1 275 AC
Test 83 + Step-cool
Test 84 + Step-cool
1 700 WQ + 11 25 AC
Test 86 + Step-cool
1700 AC + 1325 AC +
1275 FC
Test 88 + Step-cool
1700 WQ + 1125 AC
Test 90 + Step-cool
1 7 0 0 W Q + 1225 AC
Test 92 + Step-cool
1700 WQ + 1325 AC
Test 94 + Step-cool

79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95

. 2 % YSi,
ksi
88.6
70.2
92.3

102.8
62.2

115.3
90.9
63.7

Elong.
1 in..

UTS,
ksi
106.2
Hardness Test
92.5
Hardness Test
110.7
Hardness Test
Hardness Test
119.0
Hardness Test
87.8
Hardness Test
131.9
Hardness Test
111.3
Hardness Test
90.7
Hardness Test

Red.
area

25.9

73.8

28.9

76.8

23.9

70.8

24.0

74.2

31.0

74.6

20.5

71.6

24.0

73.8

30.0

76.9

Rockwell
A

Only
Only
Only
Only
Only

Only
Only
Only
Only

51.8
53.4
53.0
53.9
56.5
57.1
58.0
59.9
61.0
51.0
51.3
63.6
62.9
59.5
59.7
54.0
54.7

(a) W Q - w a t e r q u e n c h e d ; AC = air cooled; FC = f u r n a c e cooled

condition w a s subjected to t w o stepcooling cycles (Tests 59, 60, 61). After the first step-cool cycle, the FATT
increased from - 1 1 0 to - 5 5 F. The
second step cool caused a further increase to - 4 5 F. This indicates that
most of the embrittlement occurs during the first step cooling. See Fig. 4.
Two submerged arc w e l d s each
w i t h a different flux w e r e made in
this third plate, tempered and stepcooled. Tests 62-67 detail the results.
Hardness tests on both indicated a decrease in strength after temper at
1250 F, and a slight increase after
step-cooling. Both welds showed
significant toughness improvement
after the 1 2 5 0 F treatment. One w e l d
exhibited little change in toughness
despite step-cooling, w h i l e the second weld clearly decreased. As w i t h
the welds in A 3 8 7 B , these data show
the importance of the flux used in
welding.
The fourth heat of quenched and
tempered 2 1 /4Cr-1Mo steel showed a
loss in toughness as a result of stepcooling. A second step-cool cycle
caused a further but lesser drop in
toughness (Tests 6 8 - 7 1 , Fig. 4). The
submerged arc weld in this plate w a s
more responsive to both tempering
and step-cooling (Tests 72-74). Upon
step-cooling, the weld loss in notch
toughness was more than that of the
plate (a shift in the 4 0 ft-lb transition
temperature of +90 F for the weld vs
+35 F for the plate). The fracture appearance of this weld and the t w o
previous welds could not be determined due to the wide variation in
grain size concomitant w i t h a multipass weld.
A fifth heat was a laboratory melt
made for comparison w i t h a similar
melt of another analysis discussed
later. The tests (75-76) indicated little

effect from step-cooling ( A F A T T of

+15 F) corresponding to production
plate results.
The last heat of this group w a s a
non-standard chemistry in that it contained about 0.5% nickel. The results
(Tests 7 7 and 78) s h o w some reduction in toughness incurred by stepcooling in that the FATT increased
from - 1 0 0 to - 4 0 F: a shift of +60 F.
As w i t h the M n - M o - N i steels reported earlier, a detailed chemical
analysis failed to show the interaction of the embrittling constituents
and (Mn + Si). This is due to the limited_chemical data and the fact that
the X factors range from 18.4 to 20.8
w i t h the (Mn + Si) factors ranging
from 0.67% to 0.74%. W i t h limited
data, a tight grouping of data points
such as experienced here makes correlations difficult. However, confidence in the data can be increased by
comparing the production heats w i t h
the laboratory heat (Tests 75 and 76).
The X factor for Test 75 is 9.3 ppm
and (Mn + Si) is .78%. The A FATT for
the lab heat w a s only +1 5 F whereas
shifts as high as +70 F w e r e obtained
w i t h production heats. One production heat (Test 41) has a A FATT of
+20 F but generally, the susceptibility
to embrittlement increases as X and
(Mn + Si) increases.

3Cr-Mo Steels
The laboratory melt of 3Cr- 1 /2Mo
steel was quenched and tempered to
106 ksi UTS prior to step cooling. The
data for this material (Tests 79, 80)
are contained in Tables 11 and 12
and the fracture appearance data are
plotted in Fig. 5. The validity of tests
on lab heats was indicated by Tests
75 and 76. This heat showed only a
minor effect of step cooling, being

w e l l w i t h i n experimental scatter. The

shift in FATT amounted to only 5 F
and can be attributed to low X~ and
(Mn + Si) factors.
Plate from one heat conforming to
the requirements of A387E (3Cr1 Mo) w a s evaluated after normalizing
and tempering to both 93 and 110 ksi
UTS (Tests 81-85). Both exhibited
minimal susceptibility to embrittlement from step-cooling. The second
step-cool cycle applied in one case
produced another small increment of
embrittlement. This is reported in Tables 11 and 1 2 and Fig. 5.
Tests Nos. 8 6 - 8 9 are on the same
plate quenched and tempered to 8 8
and 119 ksi ultimate. M i n i m a l step
cooling effects were apparent, except
for the low strength plate showing a
60 F FATT shift.
A plate from another production
heat of A387E chemical composition
was quenched and tempered to 9 1 ,
1 1 1 , and 132 ksi ultimate prior to
step cooling (Tests 90-95). Although
some transition temperature shifts
occurred, all values were in the - 6 0 to
+20 F range. The shift in FATT increased w i t h decreasing strength.
The t w o 3Cr-1Mo heats have s i m ilar susceptibilities to temper e m brittlement.
Companng
their
compositions, especially X and (Mn +
Si) shows these factors to be close.
Therefore, similar responses to step
cooling are expected.
Metallography
Optical microscopy was employed
to confirm that the general structure,
grain size, and cleanliness of the
experimental materials were typical
of commercial product. The only observed deviations from microstructures typical to plates produced by
standard practices occurred in the

WELDING RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT

67-s

Table 1 2 ^ 3 C r - M o Impact Data

(bl

ASTM
Specif.

Form

Heat
no.

Test
no.

None

Plate

L104

A387E

Plate

B3683

79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88

A387E

Plate

B3683

Plate

A2966

89
90
91
92
93
94
95

Treatment

(a)

1 7 0 0 W Q + 1275 AC
Test 79 + Step-cool
1 7 5 0 AC + 1 3 2 5 AC
Test 81 + Step-cool
1 7 0 0 AC + 1275 AC
Test 83 + Step-cool
Test 8 4 + Step-cool
1700 W Q + 1125 AC
Test 86 + Step-cool
1 7 0 0 AC + 1325 AC +
1275 FC
Test 88 + Step-cool
1 7 0 0 W Q + 1125 AC
Test 9 0 + Step-cool
1 7 0 0 W Q + 1225 AC
Test 92 + Step-cool
1 7 0 0 W Q + 1325 AC
Test 9 4 + Step-cool

FATT
F

Energy
at FATT,
ft-lb

Energy
at 5 0 F,
ft-lb

4 0 ft-lb
transition
temp, F

Upper
shelf
energy,
ft-lb

90
85
0
+ 5
+ 40
+ 55
+ 75
- 10
+ 20
45

65
60
46
37
32
42
45
20
27
39

100
105
70
63
40
40
30
40
46
56

_I 5 0
-I 4 0
- 10

102
106
71
64
51
61
65
50
55
72

+ 65
- 50
- 20
- 90
- 10
- 100
- 40

46
25
29
30
28
38
42

42
45

+ 40
+ 10
+ 30
- 60
+ 20
- 95
- 60

70
48

64
54
82
75

+
+
+
+
+
+
+

25
50
50
70
50
40
10

64
65
82
90

(a) W Q - w a t e r q u e n c h e d ; AC - air cooled; FC = f u r n a c e cooled

(b) FATT = f r a c t u r e appearance t r a n s i t i o n t e m p e r a t u r e

study of the effects of austenitizing

temperature where the anticipated
coarse grain w a s developed after
high temperature treatments.
Optical examination of fracture
edges of impact specimens permitted
determination of fracture type and
path. Fracture edges were nickel
plated to preserve the fracture during
sectioning. The nonembrittled specimen (Fig. 6a) has an intergranular
fracture path. These can be seen in
finer detail in the electron micrographs of Fig. 7.
Electron f r a c t o g r a p h s
of
the
fracture surface are s h o w n in Fig. 8.
The nonembrittled specimen (Fig. 8a)
has a cleavage fracture. The embrittled specimen shows cleavage
and intergranular fractures. Replicated precipitates can be seen on the
grain facets in Fig. 8b.
Conclusions
Temper embrittlement is characterized by a displacement of the
Charpy V-notch energy absorption
and fracture appearance curves to
higher temperatures. Using these
criteria, all of the materials evaluated
by step-cooling showed some degree
of propensity to temper embrittlement. Despite a variety of materials
and conditions, the maximum shift
was about 80 F w i t h the majority of
the displacements 30 F or less. Embrittled materials exhibited the intergranular fracture associated w i t h
temper embrittlement. Step-cooling
did not affect the upper shelf energy
absorption values, thereby confirming the transition temperature shift to
be caused by temper embrittlement.
The susceptibility to temper e m brittlement varies w i t h composition,
68-s I F E B R U A R Y

1973

structure and heat treatment. The

susceptibility was lower for the C-Mo
and M n - M o steels than for the M n Mo-Ni and Cr-Mo steels. The addition
of Ni to M n - M o apparently increases
susceptibility to embrittlement. W i t h out Ni, the A FATT for quenched and
tempered material is +20 F and it is
+45 to +60 F w h e n Ni is present.
There are no apparent differences between the susceptibilities of 21/4Cr1Mo and 3Cr-1Mo to embrittlement.
W i t h i n the scope of the tests reported
herein, no firm trends in the effects of
As, Sb, P and Sn are observed.
Weld metal tests showed the same
trends as did the tests on plate steel.
However, the susceptibility of weld
metal to temper embrittlement induced by step cooling is generally
more severe than that of the base
metal. This is attributed to the effect
of flux on the susceptibility. Proper
selection of flux can inhibit temper
embrittlement greatly. For example,
in the 1Cr-ViMo weld metal, the shift
in FATT ranged from an increase of
25 F to a decrease of 4 5 F depending
upon the flux and stress relieving
treatment.
Tempering affects the susceptibility
to temper embrittlement through its
effect on strength. Generally, the loss
in notch toughness after step cooling
is more severe for low strength levels
than for higher strengths. This is
attributed to the fact that there is a
minimum toughness for any one composition and the high strength conditions are closer to this minimum than
are the low strength conditions.
Therefore, step cooling w i l l have a
greater effect on a high toughness
condition than on a condition w i t h
lower toughness. However, the absolute toughness for a temper em-

brittled low strength steel is often better than that of a nonembrittled high
strength condition of the same steel.
The susceptibility of a normalized
and tempered structure appears to be
independent of composition. A maximum shift in FATT of 2 0 F was obtained. However, the toughness of a
temper embrittled quenched and t e m pered material may exceed that of the
nonembrittled normalized and t e m pered structure of the same material.
References
1. Gulya, J. A., Swift, R. A. "Steels for
High Temperature Petroleum Pressure
Vessels" ASME Paper 70 Pet 26,
Petroleum Mechanical Engineers Conference, Denver, Colorado, 1 970.
2. Jaffe, L. D., Buffum, D. C, "Isothermal Temper Embrittlement," Trans ASM
42 1950, pp. 604-618.
3. Low, J. R., Stein, D. F., Turkalo, A.
M., Laforce, R. P. "Alloy and Impurity Effects on Temper Brittleness of Steel."
Trans Met. Soc. AIME 242 (1) 1968, pp.
14-24.
4. Restaino, P. A., McMahon, C. J. Jr.,
"The Role of Antimony in Temper Brittleness," Trans ASM 60 (4) 1967, pp. 699706.
5. Swift, R. A. "Temper Embrittlement
of 21/4Cr-1Mo Steel," Lukens Steel Company RDR 68-28 December 1 968.
6. Bruscato, Robert, "Temper Embrittlement and Creep Embrittlement of 2ViCr1Mo Shielded Metal Arc Weld Deposits,"
Welding Journal 49 (4) Research Suppl.
pp. 148-S to156-S, 1970
7. Simmers, A. M. "Temper Embrittlement Susceptibility of General Low Alloy
Steels and Their Weld Metals," Lukens
Steel Company, RDR 69-20, September
1969.
8. Swift, R. A. Unpublished Research.
9. McMahon, C. J. Jr. "Temper Brittleness An Interpretive Review" ASTM
STP 407, Philadelphia, Pa. 1 968.