Microstructure and mechanical properties of post-weld heat-treated joints in vanadium microalloyed Q390FRW steel

BAI Qincheng; CUI Yongfeng; YU Haibao; XIE Tingting; HAN Rudong; LIU Jianying; ZHOU Shuhao

doi:10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.019

Volume 47 Issue 3

Jun. 2026

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM > 2026 > 47(3): 164-171

BAI Qincheng, CUI Yongfeng, YU Haibao, XIE Tingting, HAN Rudong, LIU Jianying, ZHOU Shuhao. Microstructure and mechanical properties of post-weld heat-treated joints in vanadium microalloyed Q390FRW steel[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 164-171. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.019

Citation:

BAI Qincheng, CUI Yongfeng, YU Haibao, XIE Tingting, HAN Rudong, LIU Jianying, ZHOU Shuhao. Microstructure and mechanical properties of post-weld heat-treated joints in vanadium microalloyed Q390FRW steel[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 164-171. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.019

Citation:

BAI Qincheng, CUI Yongfeng, YU Haibao, XIE Tingting, HAN Rudong, LIU Jianying, ZHOU Shuhao. Microstructure and mechanical properties of post-weld heat-treated joints in vanadium microalloyed Q390FRW steel[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 164-171. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.019

PDF( 15071 KB)

Microstructure and mechanical properties of post-weld heat-treated joints in vanadium microalloyed Q390FRW steel

doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.019

1.
Zibo Municipal General Institute of Inspection and Metrology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China
2.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, Shandong, China

More Information

Received Date: 2026-01-05
Accepted Date: 2026-02-11
Rev Recd Date: 2026-02-06
Publish Date: 2026-06-29

Abstract

Abstract

To enhance the comprehensive performance of steel for bridge expansion joints, a fire-resistant and weathering-resistant vanadium-microalloyed Q390FRW steel was prepared in this study. The effects of flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), submerged arc welding (SAW), and subsequent post-weld heat treatment (PWHT-525℃ × 60 min) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. Thermodynamic calculations indicated that vanadium carbides (VC) can precipitate at 799 ℃, contributing to grain refinement. Experimental results showed that the FCAW weld joint consisted mainly of ferrite and a small amount of martensite-austenite (M-A) islands, while the SAW weld joint was primarily composed of bainite and ferrite. After heat treatment, the M-A islands in both weld joints decomposed, grain size significantly refined, and the dispersion precipitation of vanadium carbides was promoted. The tensile strength and elongation of the FCAW joint after heat treatment reached 679 MPa and 33.64%, respectively. The remarkable improvement in plasticity was primarily attributed to the precipitation strengthening and microstructural stabilization effects induced by vanadium. Fracture analysis revealed that the heat treatment shifted the fracture mechanism of the joints from a ductile-brittle mixed mode to a ductile fracture mode.
- Q390FRW steel,
- post-weld heat treatment,
- vanadium microalloying,
- microstructure,
- mechanical properties

FullText(HTML)

References(18)

References

[1]	LU C F, LIU X G. Review on global development of weathering steel bridges[J]. Steel Construction (Chinese & English), 2024, 39(10): 21-31. (卢春房, 刘晓光. 国内外耐候钢桥发展综述[J]. 钢结构(中英文), 2024, 39(10): 21-31. LU C F, LIU X G. Review on global development of weathering steel bridges[J]. Steel Construction (Chinese & English), 2024, 39（10）: 21-31.
[2]	HUANG F Y, GUI K, YI Z H, et al. Study on interaction between integral abutment, H-shaped steel pile and soil under quasi-static test based on temperature deformation effect[J]. Journal of the China Railway Society, 2023, 45(3): 109-118. (黄福云, 桂奎, 易志宏, 等. 基于温度变形效应的整体式桥台-H型钢桩-土相互作用拟静力试验研究[J]. 铁道学报, 2023, 45(3): 109-118. HUANG F Y, GUI K, YI Z H, et al. Study on interaction between integral abutment, H-shaped steel pile and soil under quasi-static test based on temperature deformation effect[J]. Journal of the China Railway Society, 2023, 45（3）: 109-118.
[3]	EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT OF CHINA JOURNAL OF HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT. Review on China's bridge engineering research: 2024[J]. China Journal of Highway and Transport, 2024, 37(12): 1-160. (《中国公路学报》编辑部. 中国桥梁工程学术研究综述·2024[J]. 中国公路学报, 2024, 37(12): 1-160. doi: 10.19721/j.cnki.1001-7372.2024.12.001 EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT OF CHINA JOURNAL OF HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT. Review on China's bridge engineering research: 2024[J]. China Journal of Highway and Transport, 2024, 37（12）: 1-160. doi: 10.19721/j.cnki.1001-7372.2024.12.001
[4]	MA Y, PENG A, WANG L, et al. Fatigue performance of an innovative shallow-buried modular bridge expansion joint[J]. Engineering Structures, 2020, 221.
[5]	LI B, WANG Z B, LAN L Y, et al. Relationship between thickness, temperature field and microstructure evolution of Q390 steel plate under TMCP process[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2024, 53(15): 126-130. (礼宾, 王泽彬, 兰亮云, 等. TMCP工艺下Q390钢板厚度、温度场与组织演变的关系[J]. 热加工工艺, 2024, 53(15): 126-130. LI B, WANG Z B, LAN L Y, et al. Relationship between thickness, temperature field and microstructure evolution of Q390 steel plate under TMCP process[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2024, 53（15）: 126-130.
[6]	YU H, YANG L, PAN H B, et al. Microstructure evolution mechanism of δ-TRIP steel during isothermal process and its mechanical properties[J]. Iron and Steel, 2024, 59(11): 173-182. (余浩, 杨璐, 潘红波, 等. δ-TRIP钢等温退火组织演变机制及力学性能[J]. 钢铁, 2024, 59(11): 173-182. doi: 10.13228/j.boyuan.issn0449-749x.20240047 YU H, YANG L, PAN H B, et al. Microstructure evolution mechanism of δ-TRIP steel during isothermal process and its mechanical properties[J]. Iron and Steel, 2024, 59（11）: 173-182. doi: 10.13228/j.boyuan.issn0449-749x.20240047
[7]	ZHANG Y J, MA C Y, PENG Y, et al. Microstructure and properties of welded joint of Q390E steel by SAW[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2013, 42(15): 161-163. (张元杰, 马成勇, 彭云, 等. Q390E钢埋弧焊焊接接头组织与性能[J]. 热加工工艺, 2013, 42(15): 161-163. doi: 10.14158/j.cnki.1001-3814.20202359 ZHANG Y J, MA C Y, PENG Y, et al. Microstructure and properties of welded joint of Q390E steel by SAW[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2013, 42（15）: 161-163. doi: 10.14158/j.cnki.1001-3814.20202359
[8]	WU R P, WU J W, WANG T X, et al. Study on the welding tests of Q390R steel plate[J]. Pressure Vessel Technology, 2023, 40(8): 12-21. (吴瑞萍, 武靖伟, 王天先, 等. Q390R钢板的焊接试验研究[J]. 压力容器, 2023, 40(8): 12-21. WU R P, WU J W, WANG T X, et al. Study on the welding tests of Q390R steel plate[J]. Pressure Vessel Technology, 2023, 40（8）: 12-21.
[9]	LIU Z S, QIAO L X, CAO R, et al. A comparative study on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of M390 and 304 with different welding methods[J]. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 2023, 33 (16): 8242-8254.
[10]	XIE J L, MA Y C, WANG M, et al. Interfacial characteristics and residual welding stress distribution of K4750 and Hastelloy X dissimilar superalloys joints[J]. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2021, 67 253-261.
[11]	MA J P, CAO R, ZHOU X. Development on improving fatigue life of high strength steel welded joints[J]. Transactions of the China Welding Institution, 2024, 45(10): 115-128. (马景平, 曹睿, 周鑫. 高强钢焊接接头疲劳寿命的提高方法进展[J]. 焊接学报, 2024, 45(10): 115-128. MA J P, CAO R, ZHOU X. Development on improving fatigue life of high strength steel welded joints[J]. Transactions of the China Welding Institution, 2024, 45（10）: 115-128.
[12]	FENG W, YU T X, CHEN B, et al. Effect of Cr content on the microstructure evolution in weld metal for 1000 MPa grade high strength steel[J]. Transactions of the China Welding Institution, 2024, 45(9): 76-83. (冯伟, 于庭祥, 陈波, 等. Cr含量对1000 MPa级高强钢熔敷金属组织演变的作用机制[J]. 焊接学报, 2024, 45(9): 76-83. FENG W, YU T X, CHEN B, et al. Effect of Cr content on the microstructure evolution in weld metal for 1000 MPa grade high strength steel[J]. Transactions of the China Welding Institution, 2024, 45（9）: 76-83.
[13]	PENG N Q, ZHOU W H, JIN D H, et al. Uniaxial tensile and low cycle fatigue properties of high strength and toughness bridge steel Q690q[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2024, 49(2): 25-31. (彭宁琦, 周文浩, 金东浩, 等. 高强韧桥梁钢Q690q的单轴拉伸性能与低周疲劳性能[J]. 金属热处理, 2024, 49(2): 25-31. PENG N Q, ZHOU W H, JIN D H, et al. Uniaxial tensile and low cycle fatigue properties of high strength and toughness bridge steel Q690q[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2024, 49（2）: 25-31.
[14]	LI L Z, XIE C S, DAI X, et al. Research progress of new generation candidate material SA508Gr. 4N steel for nuclear pressure vessel[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2025, 54(4): 1-10,15. (李林泽, 谢常胜, 代鑫, 等. 新一代核压力容器候选材料SA508Gr. 4N钢的研究进展[J]. 热加工工艺, 2025, 54(4): 1-10,15. doi: 10.14158/j.cnki.1001-3814.20230325 LI L Z, XIE C S, DAI X, et al. Research progress of new generation candidate material SA508Gr. 4N steel for nuclear pressure vessel[J]. Hot Working Technology, 2025, 54（4）: 1-10,15. doi: 10.14158/j.cnki.1001-3814.20230325
[15]	HE T Y, YU S F, ZHOU J, et al. Research on microstructure evolution of high-strength steel components in multi-arc additive manufacturing[J/OL]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 1-12[2025-03-17]. (何天英, 余圣甫, 周杰, 等. 多电弧增材制造高强钢组织转变规律研究[J/OL]. 机械工程学报, 1-12[2025-03-17]. HE T Y, YU S F, ZHOU J, et al. Research on microstructure evolution of high-strength steel components in multi-arc additive manufacturing[J/OL]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 1-12[2025-03-17].
[16]	SHANG C J, HU L J, YANG S W, et al. Forming and controlling of the acicular ferrite in low carbon microalloyed steel[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica, 2005(5): 471-476. (尚成嘉, 胡良均, 杨善武, 等. 低碳微合金钢中针状铁素体的形成与控制[J]. 金属学报, 2005(5): 471-476. SHANG C J, HU L J, YANG S W, et al. Forming and controlling of the acicular ferrite in low carbon microalloyed steel[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica, 2005（5）: 471-476.
[17]	XIAO Y F, LIU Y Z, SUN Y H, et al. The influence of hydrogen pre-charging on the stress corrosion susceptibility of SCR welded joints[J]. Transactions of the China Welding Institution, 2024, 45(10): 19-27. (肖友福, 刘永贞, 孙有辉, 等. 预充氢对SCR焊接接头应力腐蚀敏感性影响[J]. 焊接学报, 2024, 45(10): 19-27. XIAO Y F, LIU Y Z, SUN Y H, et al. The influence of hydrogen pre-charging on the stress corrosion susceptibility of SCR welded joints[J]. Transactions of the China Welding Institution, 2024, 45（10）: 19-27.
[18]	ZHOU L, ZHANG R X, YANG H F, et al. Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded Q235 low-carbon steel[J]. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 2018, 27(12): 6709-6718. doi: 10.1007/s11665-018-3747-2