Welding Technology Development for an Erosion-Resistant Slurry Pipeline Steel

A new erosion-resistant high-manganese steel (HMS) was developed for use as a slurry pipeline material in the oil sands mining industry. This paper describes the parallel development of the welding technology (welding consumable, welding procedures) for the HMS pipe. Thermodynamic simulation, design of experiments (DoE), experimental welding, and physical testing were used to formulate and optimize the welding consumable, which has a unique combination of superior strength, toughness, erosion resistance, and weldability. Welding procedures were developed for the new application and were qualified per the project specification and industry code. Advanced microstructure analysis was conducted to assist the welding development effort. The welding technology has recently been applied in the field for the fabrication of a HMS slurry pipeline. It is anticipated that these developments will provide significant cost savings to the oil sands industry.