Application and Microstructure Properties of FCAW-G Automatic Welding in the Repair of Type B Sleeves of In-service Large-wall-thickness Oil and Gas Pipelines

LIU Shaozhu; BI Zhiqiang; DENG Jun; YAN Chen; LI Rongguang; HOU Lei; LI Xueda

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.01.016

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (1) : 169-181. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.01.016

Advanced Joining Technology

Application and Microstructure Properties of FCAW-G Automatic Welding in the Repair of Type B Sleeves of In-service Large-wall-thickness Oil and Gas Pipelines

LIU Shaozhu^1,2, BI Zhiqiang¹, DENG Jun^3,*, YAN Chen³, LI Rongguang¹, HOU Lei², LI Xueda⁴

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Abstract

Based on the study of the microstructure and properties in the FCAW-G automatic welding process, the work aims to explore the applicability of automatic welding in the repair process of type B sleeves. FCAW-G automatic welding repair was performed on an X70 main pipeline with an outer diameter of 1 016 mm and a wall thickness of 17.5 mm by a Q345 sleeve with a wall thickness of 36 mm. Then, the process parameters of FCAW-G automatic welding were optimized through on-site welding process simulation tests and microstructural property analysis. When the heat input of the pad was 1.0-1.5 kJ/mm, and the heat input of the filler was 1.5-2.0 kJ/mm, the welding forming was good, and no hydrogen cracking and burn-through occurred. Meanwhile, the microstructure of the root weld bead, filler weld bead and cover weld bead of the butt weld was ferrite+granular bainite+a small amount of proeutectoid ferrite, and the weld metal was well fused with the base metals on both sides. Then, non-destructive test and mechanical property test were carried out on the welded joints and the test results met the requirements of the national standards. The FCAW-G automatic welding process can be applied to type B sleeve repairs for in-service pipelines. The weld quality meets Chinese standard acceptance requirements, achieving significant improvements in both welding quality and efficiency. This advancement promotes the application of automatic welding technology in type B sleeve repairs for in-service, high-grade steel, large-diameter natural gas pipelines within China.

Key words

in-service pipeline / sleeve repair / gas shielded flux-cored wire / automatic welding / heat input

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LIU Shaozhu, BI Zhiqiang, DENG Jun, YAN Chen, LI Rongguang, HOU Lei, LI Xueda. Application and Microstructure Properties of FCAW-G Automatic Welding in the Repair of Type B Sleeves of In-service Large-wall-thickness Oil and Gas Pipelines[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(1): 169-181 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.01.016

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