Effect of Cu addition on delayed fracture resistance of low carbon steel for 1470 MPa grade electric resistance welded tube

The effect of chemical composition on delayed fracture resistance, taking into consideration the application of a 1 470 MPa grade thin-wall as-rolled electric resistance welded (ERW) tube to automotive structural parts, was investigated. Chemical composition of the base steel alloy was 0.18%C-0.4%Si-1.8%Mn-0.015%Nb-0.01%P-0.001%S. Cu, Ni, Cr, B and Mo were individually added to the base steel. A 4-point bending test in 1 N-hydrocrolic acid was conducted for quench and tempered specimens. Cu added steel showed the best delayed fracture resistance. After the immersion, a metallic Cu layer was formed on the steel surface. Based on the results of the 4-point bending test, several kinds of 1 470 MPa grade ERW steel tubes were prepared and evaluated for their delayed fracture resistance. Cu added steel tubes showed excellent delayed fracture resistance in a cyclic corrosion condition with salt water spray, as well as in hydrocrolic acid. Cu accumulation on the rust-steel interface was observed by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). An atmospheric corrosion test lasting 12 years was also conducted. Delayed fracture resistance as evaluated by (a) an immersion test in hydrochloric acid, (b) a cyclic corrosion test with salt water spray, and (c) an atmospheric corrosion test, showed good correlation with each other. Based on the results above, two models are proposed for the mechanism of delayed fracture suppression by Cu addition: (1) Cu suppressed cathodic reaction and hydrogen entry at sulfide inclusion, and (2) Cu suppressed hydrogen entry by stabilization of sulfuric-ions as an insoluble compound.