Investigation of Macroscopic Fracture Surface Characteristics of API X65 Steel Using Three-point Bending Test

The API X65 steel (with a minimum yield strength of 65ksi equivalent to 448MPa) is one of the most common types of pipe steels in the transportation of natural gas in Iran. By studying the ductile and brittle fracture areas at the fracture surface of this steel, we can show the quality of this type of steel. In the present study, macroscopic fracture surface characteristics in three-point bending test specimen are studied (based on the geometry and standard notch of drop-weight tear test specimen). Test specimens were machined from an actual steel pipe of API X65 grade with an external diameter of 1219 mm (48 inches) and wall thickness of 14.3 mm. Due to the quasi-static test conditions and speed of the machine's jaw (0.1 mm/s), the test was carried out on base metal specimens with machine chevron notch of 15, 10, and 5.1 mm depth, respectively, that was controlled with changing location. By applying the test load, cracking initiated from the notch root in each specimen and continued without crack specimen (ligament). At the end of the test, test specimens were cooled by liquid nitrogen and were broken in a brittle manner. In this paper, after investigation of the failure mode and the crack expansion in the standard specimen, investigation of macroscopic fracture surface characteristics was conducted by optical microscopy. By observing the fracture surface, different features such as thickness variation, shear regions (ductile fracture), cleavage fracture, shear lips, inverse fracture, and brittle fracture were studied. Having above 85% shear area, the ductile fracture of specimen was confirmed.