The welding of pipes has been largely manual in Brazil, however, the use of automated welding processes have greatly increased in recent years, contributing to greater control of welding parameters, and consequently, the possibility of obtaining welded joints with better mechanical properties. The welding of pipes of API 5L X80 steel has been evaluated in Brazil considering to best practices, parameters and welding processes; the implementation of automated processes in the specific field conditions is relevant project and innovative design in this area. Therefore, the objective is to evaluate the behavior in the HAZ of the API 5L X80 steel used for transporting oil and gas when subjected to automated welding processes; the results indicated besides the reduction of HAZ extent grain size the preservation of bainitic structure in this region for robotic welding process.
API 5L X80 steel; automated welding; HAZ; microstructure