Fabricating Defect-Free API X65 Steel Welds under Underwater Wet Conditions using Friction Taper Plug Welding

The experiment on API X65 steel was carried out using friction taper plug welding (FTPW) under underwater wet conditions at room temperature. Sound weld formation can be achieved vastly at axial force ranging from 25 to 40 kN and a rotating speed of 7000 rpm. The microstructure of the weld zone consists of lath martensite, upper bainite, granular bainite, polygonal ferrite, and acicular ferrite. The microstructure of heat affected zone (HAZ) mainly consists of lath bainite as well as a bit of lath martensite and granular bainite. The tensile properties of defect-free welds are excellent. The maximum impact energy of the V-notch of bonding area can reach 110 J, which was conducted at 0°C with an error of ±12.5 J. The typical SEM impact fracture morphology presents areas of cleavage, quasi-cleavage, and dimples.