The Effect of Nb on Mechanical Properties of Quenching and Partitioning Steels

In order to study the effect of alloy elements on mechanical properties of quenching and partitioning steels,the Q and P heat treatments on different chemical composition steels were carried on in lab.The tensile test results indicated the strength of Nb+Ti-bearing steel was not increasing as expected,but lower than that of the Nb+Ti-free steel,and the elongation was raised to 26% from 9%.The Nb+Ti-bearing steel microstructures after tensile test were detected by TEM and found a certain amount of twins in the deformed microstructure while the deformed microstructure mainly was lath martensite in Nb+Ti-free steel,which means the addition of Nb and Ti elements could cause the twinning induced plasticity by inhibiting the phase transformation from austenite to martensite.Based on above analysis,adding trace Nb element could greatly increase the stacking fault energy of the retained austenite,which is beneficial to the formation of twins,and the formation of twins would lower the strength slightly and raise the elongation drastically.     

Mechanical Property and Microstructural Characterization of C-Mn-Al-Si Hot Dip Galvanizing TRIP Steel

 Mechanical properties and microstructure in high strength hot dip galvanizing TRIP steel were investigated by optical microscope (OM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dilatometry and mechanical testing. On the heat treatment process of different intercritical annealing (IA) temperatures, isothermal bainitic transformation (IBT) temperatures and IBT time, this steel shows excellent mechanical properties with tensile strength over 780 MPa and elongation more than 22%. IBT time is a crucial factor in determining the mechanical properties as it confirms the bainite transformation process, as well as the microstructure of the steel. The microstructure of the hot dip galvanizing TRIP steel consisted of ferrite, bainite, retained austenite and martensite during the short IBT time. The contents of ferrite, bainite, retained austenite and martensite with different IBT time were calculated. The results showed that when IBT time increased from 20 to 60 s, the volume of bainite increased from 14.31% to 16.95% and the volume of retained austenite increased from 13.64% to 16.28%; meanwhile, the volume of martensite decreased from 7.18% to 1.89%. Both the transformation induced plasticity of retained austenite and the hardening of martensite are effective, especially, the latter plays a dominant role in the steel containing 7.18% martensite which shows similar strength characteristics as dual-phase steel, but a better elongation. When martensite volume decreases to 1.89%, the steel shows typical mechanical properties of TRIP, as so small amount of martensite has no obvious effect on the mechanical properties.     

Ti微合金化高强度热轧带钢组织性能及强化机理

The continuous cooling transformation behavior, the effect of coiling temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties, and strengthening mechanisms of Ti microalloyed high strength hot strip steel were systematically investigated by thermal simulation testing machine, laboratory rolling mill, SEM and HR-TEM. The dynamic CCT curve was established. The results show that the austenite to ferrite and pearlite transformation takes place when the cooling rate is less than 1??/s. The austenite to bainite transformation accompanied with austenite to ferrite and pearlite transformation takes place when the cooling rate is in the range of 5 ??/s to 10 ??/s. The bainitic transformation temperature is about 600??. The amount of granular bainite decreases, while the amount of lath bainite increases with the increase of cooling rate in the range of 20??/s to 50??/s. Furthermore, the study on the effect of coiling temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of experimental steel has shown that the strength and plasticity of tested steel are improved with decreasing the coiling temperature. When the coiling temperature is 550?棬the experimental steel possesses optimal mechanical properties owing to the grain refinement and precipitation of nano-scale TiC particles. And the tensile strength, yield strength and elongation of tested steel were 742MPa, 683MPa and 22??5%, respectively.     

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties influenced by austenitizing temperature in aluminum-alloyed TRIP-aided steel

The Fe-0.21 C-2.2 Mn-0.49 Si-1.77 Al transformation induced plasticity(TRIP)-aided steel was heat treated at various austenitizing temperatures under both TRIP-aided polygonal ferrite type(TPF)and annealed martensite matrix(TAM)processes.The microstructure evolution and their effects on mechanical properties were systematically investigated through the microstructure observation and dilatometric analysis.The microstructure homogeneity is improved in TPF steel heated at a high temperature due to the reduced banded martensite and the increased bainite.Compared with the mechanical properties of the TPF steels,the yield strength and elongation of the TAM steels are much higher,while the tensile strength is lower than that of TPF steels.The stability of intercritical austenite is affected by the heating temperature,and thus the following phase transformation influences the mechanical properties,such as the bainite transformation and the precipitation of polygonal ferrite.Obvious dynamic bainite transformation occurs at TAM850,TAM900 and TAM950.More proportion of polygonal ferrite is found in the sample heated at 950°C.The bainite transformation beginning at a higher temperature results in the wider bainitic ferrite laths.The more proportion of polygonal ferrite and wide bainitic ferrite laths commonly contribute to the lower strength and better elongation.The uniform microstructure with lath-like morphology and retained austenite with high average carbon content ensures a good mechanical property in TAM850 with the product of strength and elongation of about 28 GPa·%.     

Unexpected Effect of Nb Addition as a Microalloying Element on Mechanical Properties of δ-TRIP Steels

The concept of microalloying was applied to the δ-TRIP(transformation-induced plasticity)steel to investigate the feasibility of increasing the mechanical properties and understanding the effect of microalloying on the morphology and structure of the steel.A hot rolled δ-TRIP steel with three different contents of Nb(0,0.03,0.07 mass%)was subjected to the microstructural and mechanical examination.The high Al and Si concentration in these steels guaranteed the presence of the considerable δ-ferrite phase in the microstructure after the casting and the subsequent hot rolling.The obtained results showed that Nb dramatically affects the microstructure,the dynamic recovery and recrystallization behavior,as well as the grain shape and thus the stability of austenite after the thermomechanical process of hot rolling.The results also revealed an unexpected effect of Nb on the mechanical properties.The addition of Nb to theδ-TRIP steel led to a significant decrease in the ultimate strength(from 1 144 to 917 MPa)and an increase in ductility(from 24% to 28%).These unconventional results could be explained by the change in the steel microstructure.The work-hardening behaviors of all samples exhibit three stages of the work-hardening rate evolution.At the stage 2,the work-hardening rate of the studied steels increased,being attributed to the TRIP effect and the transformation of austenite to martensite.     

Influence of Heat Treatment Temperature on Micro-structure and Property of 00Cr13Ni5Mo2 Su-permartensitic Stainless Steel

The microstructural evolution and mechanical property of 00Cr13Ni5Mo2supermartensitic stainless steel(SMSS)subjected to different heat treatments were investigated.Room tensile tests,hardness tests,scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were conducted on the heat-treated steels.It is found that the microstructure of the heat-treated steel is composed of tempered lath martensite,retained austenite andδ-ferrite.The austenitizing temperature and tempering temperature have a significant effect on the microstructural changes,which leads to the complex variations of mechanical properties.The fine tempered lath martensite and more dispersed reversed austenite in the microstructure facilitate improving the comprehensive mechanical properties of the studied steel.The optimal heat treatment process of 00Cr13Ni5Mo2SMSS is obtained by austenitizing at 1 000℃for 0.5h+air cooling followed by tempering at 630℃for 2h+air cooling,where the excellent combination of tensile strength,elongation and hardness can be achieved.     

Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Property of Cr13 Super Martensitic Stainless Steel

 The microstructures and mechanical properties of Cr13 super martensitic stainless steel after different heat treatments were studied. The results show that the structures of the steel after quenching are of lath martensite mixed with a small amount of retained austenite. With the raising quenching temperature, the original austenite grain size increases and the lath martensite gradually becomes thicker. The structures of the tempered steel are mixtures of tempered martensite and reversed austenite dispersed in the martensite matrix. The amount of reversed austenite is from 754% to 2249%. After different heat treatments, the tensile strength, the elongation and the HRC hardness of the steel are in the range of 813-1070 MPa, 101%-212% and 2133-3237, respectively. The steel displays the best comprehensive mechanical properties after the sample is quenched at 1050 ℃ followed by tempering at 650 ℃.     

Effect of Mischmetal on As-cast Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of M2 High Speed Steel

High speed steel has been widely used in various fields due to their excellent red hardness and good wear resistance.However,the influence of mischmetal(Ce-La)on the as-cast microstructures and mechanical properties of high speed steel has rarely been reported.Thus,the microstructure and mechanical properties of M2 high speed steel with addition of mischmetal(Ce-La)were investigated.The morphology and distribution of the eutectic carbides of the steel were observed by using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy,and the impact toughness and bending strength were tested.The results show that adding mischmetal has an obvious effect on the microstructure and mechanical properties of M2 high speed steel.The coarse eutectic structure is refined,the weak connection of the carbide networks is broken and the flake carbides become short and fine.More networks of eutectic carbides dissolve into the matrix.When a suitable adding content of mischmetal is selected,for example,0.3mass%,the impact strength and bending strength can increase by 27% and 10.76% compared with that without mischmetal,respectively.     

Banded Microstructure Formation and Its Effect on the Performance of 06Ni9 Steel

Focusing on the banded microstructure formed during the production of 06Ni9 steels for cryo-LNG,this paper examines its formation,distribution of alloying elements,structure,hardness,and low-temperature property.The results show that the banded microstructure formed after hot-rolling and cooling of the steel binct in which the element segregation occurred during solidification.The phase change during heat treatment also can cause the formation of the banded microstructure of 06Ni9 steel.The white bands are mainly composed of ferrite and reversed austenite,and the black bands are mainly composed of reversed austenite and a certain amount of ferrite.Element segregation and formation of more carbide caused some black regions to appear.Grain refinement of 06Ni9steel is beneficial to the formation of reversed austenite,the redistribution of alloying elements,improving the stability of austenite and the low-temperature toughness of steel.This steel easily undergoes nickel segregation;thus,undergoing a secondary quenching and tempering process is recommended.The refinement of martensite quenching above A c3,the martensite that is rich in nickel and carbon,residual austenite and a few little of ferrite after secondary quenching lower than A c3 are beneficial to the formation of high stability austenite.Thus,this can meet the strength and toughness requirement of the low temperature 06Ni9 steel.     

A multi-scale grained microstructure of the surface nanocrystallized 304 stainless steel sheets after warm-rolling

An ultrafine grained microstructure was obtained for 304 stainless steel(304SS)sheets by using surface nanocrystallization and warm-rolling.The microstructure and mechanical properties were determined by X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscope(TEM)and a test on microhardness.Experimental results were shown that the microstructure was featured by a continuous distribution from the nanocrystalline on the surface to micro-grains in the center,in which the volume fraction of the micro-sized grains is about 40% in the surface layer.This multi-scale grained microstructure was composed of austenite and martensite phases with a gradient increasing volume fraction of austenite from the surface to the centre.The microhardness of the resultant steel was higher than 150% of that as received,due to the refined grains and strain-induced martensitic transformation.The hardness distribution was consistent with the microstructural variation,suggesting a good combination of high strength and improved ductility.     

Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of duplex stainless steel

Present study concerns the effect of deformation and heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a duplex stainless steel. While hot rolling causes the coarse distribution of the constituent phases (ferrite and austenite), 50% cold rolling results into the elongated and splintered two — phase structure. Supersaturated ferrite structure established by water quenching from 1300°C results into the strengthening due to the formation of fine dispersed austenite precipitates within ferrite grain after isothermal heat treatment (1000°C, 0.5 hour). Duplex structure consisting of ferrite and austenite in a fine-grained form is obtained after isothermal heat treatment of cold rolled sample. Cold deformed and heat treated steel exhibits best combination of strength and ductility among all the investigated steel samples.     

相变时间对CSP热轧TRIP钢组织和性能的影响

利用OM、SEM、XRD、EBSD和室温拉伸试验机等研究了CSP热轧TRIP钢中间缓冷时间及贝氏体等温时间对组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明,随着中间缓冷时间的延长,试验钢中的铁素体和残余奥氏体体积分数增加,贝氏体体积分数减少;抗拉强度基本不变,屈服强度逐渐降低,断后伸长率和强塑积变化不明显。中间缓冷时间为6 s时,可满足CSP产线的要求。对贝氏体相变时间的研究表明,当等温时间为15 min时,试验钢中的残余奥氏体主要分布于铁素体/铁素体界面、铁素体/贝氏体界面以及贝氏体中,体积分数约为7.1%,表现出良好的TRIP效应。其抗拉强度、屈服强度、断后伸长率和强塑积分别达到744.0 MPa、522.5 MPa、29.3%和21.8 GPa·%,力学性能最优。当等温时间延长至50 min时,试验钢中的贝氏体含量增加,残余奥氏体体积分数减少至2.7%,强塑积明显下降。     

Cr对含Nb高强无取向硅钢组织、织构及性能的影响

 高强无取向硅钢主要应用于高速电机,要求其具备高强度和优异磁性能,但目前无取向硅钢的磁性能和强度难以兼顾。因此,设计并制备了添加微量Cr的含Nb高强无取向硅钢,通过光学显微镜、EBSD、万能拉伸试验机、四探针测试仪和磁性能测量仪等研究了Cr对含Nb高强无取向硅钢微观组织、织构、力学性能及磁性能的影响。结果表明,添加质量分数为0.5%的Cr抑制了热轧组织的回复,使常化和退火组织再结晶减弱,常化和退火后有利织构面积分数增加,不利织构面积分数减小。添加质量分数为0.5%的Cr使含Nb无取向硅钢的屈服强度显著增大,磁感略升高,但对铁损几乎没有影响。Cr对屈服强度的影响一方面是由于Cr的固溶强化作用,另一方面Cr促进了Nb的析出而使Nb的析出强化效果增强;而Cr提高含Nb高强无取向硅钢的磁感主要是由于促进有利织构形成的同时抑制了不利织构的形成,使得织构因子增大;添加Cr使无取向硅钢的电阻率增加从而使铁损降低,同时Cr促进了Nb的析出,而这种富Nb析出相不仅抑制晶粒长大且会阻碍磁畴移动而使铁损增高,在两方面因素的综合作用下,添加质量分数为0.5%的Cr对含Nb高强无取向硅钢的铁损几乎没有影响。因此,含Nb高强无取向硅钢中添加微量Cr,会由于Cr的固溶作用以及其促进Nb的析出而提高钢的强度并提高钢的综合磁性能。     

Nb对C38+N2非调质钢组织和力学性能的影响

针对曲轴用新型铁素体+珠光体型非调质钢C38+N2锻件组织中铁素体含量往往难以达到用户要求的问题,研究了微量Nb元素(质量分数为0.022%)对其锻造后组织和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明,C38+N2钢中添加微量Nb能够细化晶粒和锻后组织,显著地提高组织中的铁素体含量,模拟曲轴锻造后组织中的铁素体体积分数可达到20%,较未加Nb钢提高了一倍。钢中添加微量Nb后,锻件的强度基本未变或略有提高,但塑韧性得到提高。两种不同锻造工艺的试验结果表明,添加微量Nb元素后的锻造组织受锻造工艺和锻后冷却速度影响的程度较小,可在较宽的工艺窗口下获得满足用户要求的组织和性能。     

Intercritical Rolling Induced Ultrafine Lamellar Structure and Enhanced Mechanical Properties ofMedium-Mn Steel

The medium-Mn steel with ferrite and austenite structure was rolled in the intercritical region down to dif- ferent rolling reduction. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the rolled steels were investigated by scan- ning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and tensile tests. It was found that the ferrite and austenite structure gradually evolved into an ultrafine structure from the random directional lath structure to lamellar structure with lath longitudinal direction parallel to the rolling direction with increasing rolling strain. It was found that the thickness of the laths was gradually refined with increasing rolling strain. The lath thickness is about 0. 15 9m stored with high density dislocations and the austenite volume fraction of the steel is about 24% after 80% rolling reduction. Furthermore, it was interesting to find that yield strength, tensile strength and total elongation of the 80% rolled medium-Mn steel are about 1000 MPa, 1250 MPa and 24%, respectively, demonstrating an excellent combination of the strength and ductility. Based on the microstructure examination, it was proposed that the grain refinement of the medium-Mn steels could be attributed to the duplex structure and the low rolling temperature. Analysis of the relationship between the microstructure and the mechanical properties indicated that the high yield strength mainly resulted from the ultrafine grain size and the high density dislocation, but the improved ductili- ty may be attributed to the large fractions of austenite retained after intercritical rolling.     

Effect of alloying elements on the microstructure‐property relationship in thermomechanically processed C‐Mn‐Si TRIP steels

The effect of additions of Nb, Al and Mo to Fe‐C‐Mn‐Si TRIP steel on the final microstructure and mechanical properties after simulated thermomechanical processing (TMP) has been studied. The laboratory simulations of discontinuous cooling during TMP were performed using a hot rolling mill. All samples were characterised using optical microscopy and image analysis. The volume fraction of retained austenite was ascertained using a heat tinting technique and X‐ray diffraction measurements. Room temperature mechanical properties were determined by a tensile test. From this a comprehensive understanding of the structural aspect of the bainite transformation in these types of TRIP steels has been developed. The results have shown that the final microstructures of thermomechanically processed TRIP steels comprise ~ 50 % of polygonal ferrite, 7 ‐12 % of retained austenite, non‐carbide bainitic structure and martensite. All steels exhibited a good combination of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation. The microstructure‐property examination revealed the relationship between the composition of TRIP steels and their mechanical properties. It has been shown that the addition of Mo to the C‐Si‐Mn‐Nb TRIP steel increases the ultimate tensile strength up to 1020 MPa. The stability of the retained austenite of the Nb‐Mo steel was degraded, which led to a decrease in the elongation (24 %). The results have demonstrated that the addition of Al to C‐Si‐Mn‐Nb steel leads to a good combination of strength (~ 940 MPa) and elongation (~ 30 %) due to the formation of refined acicular ferrite and granular bainite structure with ~7 ‐ 8 % of stable retained austenite. Furthermore, it has been found that the addition of Al increases the volume fraction of bainitic ferrite laths. The investigations have shown an interesting result that, in the Nb‐Mo‐Al steel, Al has a more pronounced effect on the microstructure in comparison with Mo. It has been found that the bainitic structure of the Nb‐Mo‐Al steel appears to be more granular than in the Nb‐Mo steel. Moreover, the volume fraction of the retained austenite increased (12 %) with decreasing bainitic ferrite content. The results have demonstrated that this steel has the best mechanical properties (1100 MPa and 28 % elongation). It has been concluded that the combined effect of Nb, Mo, and Al addition on the dispersion of the bainite, martensite and retained austenite in the ferrite matrix and the morphology of these phases is different than effect of Nb, Mo and Al, separately.     

500 MPa级高延性方管用钢的开发及加工硬化行为

 为了开发满足二次加工性能要求的500 MPa级高延性方管用钢,采用OM、SEM和TEM等对500 MPa级高延性方管用钢制管前后的组织与性能进行分析,研究了其强化机制与加工硬化机理。结果表明,两种试验钢的组织均由铁素体和少量珠光体组成,低C-低Mn-Nb、Ti微合金化试验钢铁素体晶粒与珠光体球团尺寸更加细小,第二相析出物尺寸稍大,位错密度相似。两种试验钢制管前力学性能相似,低C-低Mn-Nb、Ti微合金化试验钢屈强比较高;制管后低C-低Mn-Nb、Ti微合金化试验钢加工硬化程度显著,屈服强度、抗拉强度分别增加了45与26 MPa,伸长率降低6.0%,高C-高Mn-Nb微合金化试验钢屈服强度、抗拉强度分别增加了22与10 MPa,伸长率降低4.0%。固溶强化与细晶强化是两种试验钢最主要的强化机制,由晶粒细化引起的强度增量占总强度的52.9%~61.8%,由固溶强化引起的强度增量占总强度的17.2%~25.3%;析出强化与位错强化对强度的贡献较小。制管后低C-低Mn-Nb、Ti微合金化试验钢位错强化增加显著,达到了82 MPa,明显高于高C-高Mn-Nb微合金化试验钢位错强化的贡献(65 MPa);对于制管用途而言,高C-高Mn-Nb微合金化试验钢制管后综合力学性能更加优异。     

Effect of warm- rolling and intercritical annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties of medium- Mn steel

Effect of warm- rolling and subsequent intercritical annealing time at 650?? on microstructure and mechanical properties of a medium- Mn steel 0. 1C- 5Mn was investigated by using uniaxial tensile testing, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X- ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results show that a duplex microstructure having both equiaxed and lamellar morphologies of reverted austenite and ferrite is obtained after intercritical annealing of the warm- rolled steel sheet. The amount of reverted austenite and its size increase with increasing annealing time, which causes a decrease of the mechanical stability of austenite and thus an increase of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) while a decrease of yield strength, total elongation (TEL) and the product of UTS to TEL (UTS??TEL). An excellent combination of strength and ductility of 40GPa??% could be obtained after a short time annealing of 5min. The combination of strength and ductility (UTS??TEL) could be increased by about 20% for the warm- rolled steel sheet compared to that of the cold- rolled steel sheet. It is thus proposed that warm- rolling is a promising way to simplify the traditional multi- stage rolling and annealing processes of medium- Mn steels as well as further enhancing it mechanical properties.     

冷轧中锰钢的成形性能

 研究了两相区退火时间对中锰钢(0.1C-5Mn)的微观组织结构、力学性能及扩孔性能的影响。利用扫描电镜(SEM)和背散射电子成像技术(EBSD)对退火过程中微观组织结构的演化进行了表征;通过拉伸和扩孔试验测定了不同退火状态下中锰钢的强度、塑性和扩孔率。研究表明,中锰钢在650℃下逆转变退火获得了含有大量奥氏体相的基体为超细晶组织的奥氏体、铁素体双相钢组织,强塑积（Rm·A）达到30GPa·%以上;奥氏体体积分数随退火时间的延长而逐步增加,但过多亚稳奥氏体对钢的综合成形性能不利。     

Effect of Thermomechanical Controlled Processing on Mechanical Properties of 490 MPa Grade Low Carbon Cold Heading Steel

Thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) of low carbon cold heading steel in different austenite conditions were conducted by a laboratory hot rolling mill.Effect of various processing parameters on the mechanical properties of the steel was investigated.The results showed that the mechanical properties of the low carbon cold heading steel could be significantly improved by TMCP without heat treatment.The improvement of mechanical properties can be attributed mainly to the ferrite grain refinement due to low temperature rolling.In the experiments the better ultimate tensile strength and ductility are obtained by lowering finishing cooling temperature within the temperature range from 650 ℃ to 550 ℃ since the interlamellar space in pearlite colonies become smaller.Good mechanical properties can be obtained in a proper austenite condition and thermomechanical processing parameter.The ferrite morphology has a more pronounced effect on the mechanical behavior than refinement of the microstructure.It is possible to realize the replacement of medium-carbon by low-carbon for 490 Mpa grade cold heading steel with TMCP.