Abstract

The microstructure of API 5L X-52 commercial steel pipeline samples was studied and characterized using Optical Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X ray diffraction (XRD). The Particle Induced X-ray Emission technique (PIXE) and Spark Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES) were used to determine the elementary analysis of the metal. The comparison between XRD and SEM results showed the ferrous as main phase in the ferritic pearlitic microstructure of API 5L X-52 steel samples. Molybdenum carbides precipitates were identified at nanometric level since the point of view crystallographic.