Distribution and segregation of dissolved elements in pipeline slab

The chemical composition in a cross section of a high grade pipeline slab was measured point by point （in a scale of 1 μm） using original position statistic distribution analysis （OPA）. The result indicated that negative segregation strips of Si, Mn, Mo, Ni, Cr, Nb, Cu, Ti, and V exist in the two sides 24 mm away from the central line, with a width of 8-12 mm, Negative segregation inside the central line is more severe than that outside the central line, and the highest positive segregation of the elements appears closely by the inner sides of the negative segregation strips. No obvious negative segregation strip of S and P is found. Segregation of the elements in the central area is higher than that in the outer and inner arc areas. The segregation of C, Ti, S, and P is high and that of Cr, Cu, Si, and Mn is low in the slab.     

Formation of CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 dual phase inclusion in Ti stabilized stainless steel

The formation of CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 dual phase inclusion in 321 stainless steel was investigated in the laboratory. The result indicated that the condition for the formation of CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 in 321 steel is [Ca]〉0.001wt%, [Ti]〉0.1wt%, and [A1]〉0.01wt%. The mechanism is the following： Al2O3 inclusion turns into CaO-Al2O3 after Ca-Si wire is fed into the molten steel; [Mg] is then obtained by reducing MgO in slag or crucible wall by [Al] and [Ti]; finally CaO-Al2O3 inclusion is changed into CaO-TiO2-MgO-Al2O3 by the reaction with [Mg], [Ti], and [O] in the molten steel simultaneously.     

Effect of boron addition on the microstructure and stress-rupture properties of directionally solidified superalloys

This study is focused on the effect of boron addition, in the range of 0.0007wt% to 0.03wt%, on the microstructure and stress-rupture properties of a directionally solidified superalloy. With increasing boron content in the as-cast alloys, there is an increase in the fraction of the γ′/γ eutectic and block borides precipitate around the γ′/γ eutectic. At a high boron content of 0.03wt%, there is precipitation of lamellar borides. Upon heat treatment, fine block borides tend to precipitate at grain boundaries with increasing boron content. Overall, the rupture life of the directionally solidified superalloy is significantly improved with the addition of nominal content of boron. However, the rupture life decreases when the boron content exceeds 0.03wt%.     

Effect of deformation and cooling rate on the transformation behavior and microstructure of X70 steels

The effects of the deformation in the non-recrystallization region of austenite and the cooling rate on the transformation behavior and microstructure of low-carbon low-alloy steel for pipeline application were studied on the thermal-mechanical simulator Gleeble-1500. It was shown that an increase in deformation amount can greatly increase the nucleation site of ferrite when deformed in the non-recrystallization region of austenite, and an increase in nucleation ratio can greatly refine grains. When the cooling rate is accelerated, the driving force of nucleation is increased and the nucleation rate also improves. Ultra-refine grains can be obtained by controlled rolling. The high density of ferrite nucleus, which forms along the austenite grain boundary, twin interface, and deforma- tion band are introduced in the matrix of austenite by the control of hot rolling, after which the microstructure can be refined. It was found that the acicular ferrite has a very fine sub-structure, high dislocation density, and a thin slab with ultra-fine grains. Small M/A islands and cementite are precipitated on the matrix of the slabs by the analysis technique of TEM and SEM.     

Microstructure and Solid/Liquid Interface Evolutions of Directionally Solidified Fe-Al-Ta Eutectic Alloy

A modified Bridgman directional solidification technique was used to prepare Fe-Al-Ta eutectic in situ composites at different growth rates ranging from 6 to 80 μm/s. The directionally solidified FeAl-Ta eutectic composites are composed of two phases: Fe(Al,Ta) matrix phase, and Fe_2 Ta(Al) Laves phase. Solidification microstructure is affected by solidification rate. Microstructure of the Fe-Al-Ta eutectic alloy grown at 6.0 μm/s is broken-lamellar eutectic. Eutectic colonies are formed with the increase of the solidification rate. Microstructures are mainly composed of the lamellar or fibrous eutectic at the center of the colony and coarse lamellar eutectic zone at the boundary. Meanwhile, the inter-lamellar spacing(or the inter-rod spacing) is decreased. The spacing adjustments are also observed in Fe-Al-Ta eutectic alloy. The solid/liquid interface evolves from planar interface to shallow cellular interface, then to deep cellular, and finally to shallow cellular planar with the increase of the solidification rate.     

Refinement of packet size in low carbon bainitic steel by special thermo-mechanical control process

The packet size of bainitic steel can be refined by a special relaxation-precipitation-control phase transformation (RPC) technology, When processed by RPC process, the low carbon bainitic steel composes of two kinds of main intermediate transformation phases. One is ultra-fine lath-like bainitic ferrite and the lath is less than 1 tam in width and about 6 tam in length; the alignment of laths forms a refined packet, and the size of packets is about 5-7 ~am in length and about 3-4 tam in width, The other is acicular structure. The morphology and distribution of these acicular structures are influenced by relaxation process, the thin and short acicular structures cut the prior austenite grain and refine the bainitic packet size, For the optimum relaxation time, the packet size can be refined to the finest. The mechanical properties are influenced by relaxation time and the 800 MPa grade low carbon bainitic steel with excellent toughness can be obtained by RPC process,     

Effect of High Pressure on the Melting and Solidifying Behavior of a Railway Frog Steel

Microstructural evolutions of the railway frog steel solidified under different pressure were studied using OM, FEGSEM, and TEM. The influences of pressure on the solidification, grain sizes, and morphology of carbides of the steel were analyzed. It is found that the melting point of the steel increases with the pressure and the solidified microstructure under high pressure does not vary significantly with the melting temperature. The experimental results show that the solidified microstructure consisting of complete equiaxed dendrites is remarkably refined through the increase of pressure, with the mean dendrite arm spacing of about 24, 18, and 8 μm under 3, 6, and 10 GPa, respectively. It is also revealed by TEM observation that the precipitates change from needle-like and rhombic carbide(M_3C) forms during normal(atmospheric) pressure solidification into nodulized hexagonal precipitate M_7C_3 at 3 GPa, and M_(23)C_6 at 6 GPa and 10 GPa, which is associated with the undercooling and distribution of the trace elements. The diameter of the precipitates is between 80 nm and 200 nm.     

Preparation and characterization of plasma Cu surface modified stainless steel

Cu modified layer was prepared on the surface of AISI304 stainless steel by plasma surface alloying technique.The effects of processing parameters on the thickness,surface topography,microstructure and chemical composition of Cu modified layer were characterized using glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy(GDOES),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The experimental results show that the surface modified layer is a duplex layer(deposited + diffused layer)with thickness of about 26 μm under the optimum process parameters.The modified layer is mainly composed of a mixture of Cu and expanded austenite phase.The ball-on-disk results show that the modified layer possesses low friction coefficients(0.25)and excellent wear resistance(wear volume 0.005×109 μm3).The Cu modified layer is very effective in killing the bacteria S.aureus.Meanwhile,no viable S.aureus is found after 3 h(100% killed)by contact with the Cu alloyed surface.     

Effects of Phosphorus Grain Boundary Segregation and Hardness on the Ductile-to-Brittle Transition for a 2.25CrlMo Steel

The combined effect of phosphorus grain boundary segregation and hardness on the ductile-to-brittle transition was examined for a P-doped 2.25CrlMo steel by using Auger electron spectroscopy in conjunction with hardness measurements, Charpy impact tests and scanning electron microscopy. With prolonging time at 540 ~C after water quenching from 980℃, the segregation of phosphorus increases and the hardness decreases. The DBTT （FATT） increases with increasing phosphorus segregation and decreases with decreasing hardness. The effect of phosphorus segregation is dominant until 100 h aging and after that the hardness effect becomes dominant. This effect makes the DBTT （FATT） decrease with further prolonging ageing time although the segregation of phosphorus still increases strongly.     

Effects of Phosphorus Grain Boundary Segregation and Hardness on the Ductile-to-Brittle Transition for a 2.25CrMo Steel

The combined effect of phosphorus grain boundary segregation and hardness on the ductile- to-brittle transition was examined for a P-doped 2.25Cr1Mo steel by using Auger electron spectroscopy in conjunction with hardness measurements, Charpy impact tests and scanning electron microscopy. With prolonging time at 540 oC after water quenching from 980 oC, the segregation of phosphorus increases and the hardness decreases. The DBTT (FATT) increases with increasing phosphorus segregation and decreases with decreasing hardness. The effect of phosphorus segregation is dominant until 100 h aging and after that the hardness effect becomes dominant. This effect makes the DBTT (FATT) decrease with further prolonging ageing time although the segregation of phosphorus still increases strongly.     

Effects of sulfur addition methods and Ca-Si treatment on the microstructure and properties of 30Mn VS

The effects of sulfur addition methods and Ca-Si treatment on the microstructure and properties of free-cutting non-quenched and tempered steel 30Mn VS were investigated by using optical microscopy, SEM and tensile test methods. The results show that sulfur addition methods influence the morphology of sulfides and the properties of 30Mn VS slightly. Ca-Si treatment is beneficial for the formation of complex sulfides which normally have oxide cores, therefore, improving the distribution of sulfides in the tested steel and enhancing its toughness. The two methods, pyrite addition during LF process and S wire feeding during VD process,slightly influence the morphology and distribution of sulfides and the properties of 30Mn VS; Ca addition not only promotes the nucleation of sulfides on the cores of calcium aluminate inclusions,but also creates modification effect on MnS, reducing the relative plasticity and hot deformability of sulfides during hot rolling process,thereby reducing the length/width value of sulfides and improving their distribution, and significantly enhancing its mechanical properties, in particular, the impact toughness increased by 30%.     

元胞自动机法模拟Al-4．5mass％Cu枝晶生长

通过引入溶质再分配、溶质扩散、界面能各向异性和界面曲率,构建了描述合金凝固微观组织形态演变的2D元胞自动机模型。并用该模型研究了Al-4.5mass%Cu合金凝固过程中树枝晶长大过程。结果表明:该模型较好地描述了枝晶生长、晶间和枝晶偏析。凝固过程中的溶质再分配直接影响着树枝晶的生长形貌和微观偏析形成。成份过冷是液/固界面失稳的主要原因,激发二次晶或三次晶产生。二次晶生长是相互竞争的过程,在成分过冷和曲率过冷作用下,二次晶根部溶质富集程度大,出现明显的"颈缩"。在枝晶生长过程中,枝晶间会形成小范围、高溶质浓度的孤立液体区域,形成晶间偏析或点偏析,树枝晶形貌对晶间偏析程度影响较大。在各枝晶臂上,先凝固部分溶质浓度较后凝固部分溶质浓度低,并且中心溶质浓度较边缘处溶质浓度低,形成枝晶偏析,枝晶偏析在枝晶的亚稳态生长阶段更显著。     

中碳高硅铸钢的复合热处理工艺

研究了成分（wt．％）为0．62C,2．0Si,1．6Mn,0．99Cr的高硅铸钢经过复合热处理（球化退火＋等温淬火）的组织和力学性能,利用olympus金相电子显微镜观察组织、扫描电子显微镜分析冲击断口形貌;测试了实验钢的洛氏硬度和冲击韧性．实验结果表明,试样经过球化退火工艺之后硬度变化的幅度不大,而冲击韧性有明显地提高,试样的组织主要为下贝氏体组织,并含有少量的奥氏体．在相同的球化退火工艺下,320℃等温淬火60min,试样的硬度和冲击韧性值都较高．     

7．9Mn－1．4Si－0．07C钢高强韧机理研究

通过热轧、温轧、奥氏体化、两相区退火处理得到7．9Mn－1．4Si－0．07C钢板,该材料的拉伸强度及塑性随奥氏体化温度不同而具有显著差异．奥氏体化温度降低,室温下奥氏体含量升高,综合力学性能提高．当奥氏体化温度由900℃降低为800℃时,所得到钢板的奥氏体体积分数由15％增加到28％,拉伸强度由1150MPa提高到1340MPa,塑性由21％提高至27％．实验钢优异的力学性能源于其中大量的超细铁素体及奥氏体,细晶强化使其具有超高强度,铁素体基体及变形过程中奥氏体向马氏体相变提供了良好的塑性．基体组织中的位错强化,形变诱导马氏体转变的TRIP效应等是增强该钢板加工硬化能力的主要因素．     

Competitive growth of different phases in eutectic alloys under directional solidification

Directional solidification technique is widely applied not only to the research on the basic solidification theory, but also to manufacturing high-performance products, such as superalloy turbine blades with single crystal structure in aeronautical engines. In the field of eutectic solidification, eutectic structure can be designed more flexibly and serve at different properties compared to the single-phase structure. Furthermore, eutectic structure of in-situ composite produced by directional…     

Effects of Si on the stability of retained austenite and temper embrittlement of ultrahigh strength steels

Effects of silicon(Si)content on the stability of retained austenite and temper embrittlement of ultrahigh strength steels were investigated using X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and other experimental methods.The results show that Si can suppress temper embrittlement,improve temper resistance,and hinder the decomposition of retained austenite.Reversed austenite appears gradually with the increase of Si content during tempering.Si has a significant effect on enhancing carbon(C)partitioning and improving the stability of retained austenite.Si and C atoms are mutually exclusive in lath bainite,while they attract each other in austenite.g-carbides are found in 1.8wt％ Si steel tempered at 250℃,and they get coarsened obviously when tempered at 400℃,leading to temper embrittlement.Not ε-carbides but acicular or lath carbides lead to temper embrittlement in 0.4wt％ Si steel,which can be inferred as cementites and composite compounds.Temper embrittlement is closely related to the decomposition of retained austenite and the formation of reversed austenite.     

Effect of Direct Quenching and Partitioning Treatment on Mechanical Properties of a Hot Rolled Strip Steel

Three different online heat treatment processes were designed to study the effects on the mechanical properties of a 0.19C-1.6Si-1.6Mn(wt%) hot rolled strip steel.The microstructures were characterized by means of SEM,TEM,EPMA,and XRD.The mechanical properties were estimated by tensile tests.Results showed that a satisfying combination of strength and ductility could be obtained through the ferrite relaxation and direct quenching and partitioning process.Analysis was also focused on this process.The microstructure contained proeutectoid ferrite grains,martensite packets and blocky or interlath retained austenite,and also contained carbide-free bainite in the case of relatively high quench temperatures.The retained austenite fraction was increased through proeutectoid ferrite and partial bainite transformation,while the tensile strength was also consequently decreased.The most of retained austenite transformed to ferrite under deformation and the elongation was obviously improved.     

Pulsed Nd：YAG laser cladding of high silicon content coating on low silicon steel

A pulsed Nd:YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser-based technique was employed to clad low silicon steel with preplaced Si and Fe mixed powders for high Si content. The surface morphology, microstructural evolution, phase composition, and Si distribution, within the obtained cladding coatings, were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), with associated energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microhardness was also measured along the depth direction of the specimens. A crack-and pore-free cladding coating through excellent metallurgical bonding with the substrate was successfully prepared on low silicon steel by means of optimized sin-gle-track and multi-track laser cladding. The phases of the coating are α-Fe, γ-Fe, and FeSi. The high microhardness of the la-ser-cladding zone is considered as an increase in Si content and as the refined microstructure produced by the laser treatment. The Si contents of the cladding coatings were about 5.8wt/ in the single-track cladding and 6.5wt/ in the multi-track cladding, respectively.     

Austenite formation during intercritical annealing in C-Mn cold-rolled dual phase steel

Two different kinds of experimental techniques were used to in-situ study the austenite formation during intercritical annealing in C-Mn dual phase steel. The microstructure evolution was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope, and the austenite isothermal and non-isothermal transformation kinetics were studied by dilatometry. The results indicate that banded structure is produced for the reason of composition segregation and the competition between recrystallization and phase transformation. Austenite prefers to nucleate not only at ferrite/ferrite grain boundaries, but also inside the grains of ferrite.Furthermore, the austenitizing process is accomplished mainly via migration of the existing austenite/ferrite interface rather than nucleation of new grains. The incubation process can be divided into two stages which are controlled by carbon and manganese diffusion, respectively. During the incubation process, the nucleation rate of austenite decreases, and austenite growth changes from two-dimensional to one-dimensional. The partitioning coefficient, defined as the ratio of manganese content in the austenite to that in the adjacent ferrite, increases with increasing soaking time.