Influence of the Flame Straightening Process on Microstructural, Mechanical and Fracture Properties of S235 JR, S460 ML and S690 QL Structural Steels

The flame straightening of steel components is based on heating a local region of the part by means of a torch in order to induce a permanent deformation through a field of residual stresses. Although this is a very common practice, it is not devoid of serious drawbacks. In this paper, the influence of the flame bending procedure on the microstructure of three very different structural steels (S235 JR, S460 ML and S690 QL, respectively), widely used for the construction of metallic structures, is analysed. The consequences of the heat treatment on the mechanical and fracture properties were characterised through micro-hardness Vickers and Charpy impact tests; in addition, some elastic-plastic fracture tests were performed on precracked Charpy specimens manufactured with the S235 JR steel. The relationship between the microstructural features and the material mechanical and fracture behaviour was studied in depth in all cases, correlating the changes induced by the flame heat treatment on the microstructure with the macroscopic mechanical and fracture response. For a proper understanding of the microstructural consequences of this straightening heat treatment, it was necessary to develop a Finite Element numerical model. Based on the experimental results, this study has revealed that the consequences of the flame straightening on the microstructure, mechanical or fracture behaviour strongly depend on the nature of the material; for this reason, it is not possible to establish general recommendations. Nevertheless, the paper proposes a series of guidelines for good practice for steels similar to those characterised here.