Underwater friction taper plug welding for X65 pipeline steel was performed using Q345 structural steel and 316L stainless steel plugs. Weld microstructures, defects formation and mechanical properties were investigated. Using Q345 plugs can produce defect free and overmatching welded joints whose impact toughness was also favourable. Lower bainite and lath martensite in the weld zone resulted in high hardness with maximum value up to 418 HV10. Using 316L plugs can significantly reduce weld zone hardness due to austenite dominated microstructure. Microcracks can easily emerge at and may propagate along γ–δ phase boundaries to form macrocracks. Intermittent cracks were found along the bonding interface of all the 316L plug welds, which should be caused by the relief of the residual stress.
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