Development of Ti–V–Mo Complex Microalloyed Hot-Rolled 900-MPa-Grade High-Strength Steel

A new Ti–V–Mo complex microalloyed hot-rolled high-strength steel sheet was developed by controlling a thermo-mechanical controlled processing(TMCP) schedule, in particular with variants in coiling temperature. The effects of coiling temperature(CT) on various hardening mechanisms and mechanical properties of Ti–V–Mo complex microalloyed high-strength low-alloy steels were investigated. The results revealed that the steels are mainly strengthened by a combined effect of ferrite grain refinement hardening and precipitation hardening. The variation in simulated coiling temperature causes a significant difference in strength, which is mainly attributed to different precipitation hardening increment contributions. When the CT is 600 C, the experimental steel has the best mechanical properties: ultimate tensile strength(UTS) 1000 MPa, yield strength(YS) 955 MPa and elongation(EL) 17%. Moreover, about 82 wt% of the total precipitates are nano-sized carbide particles with diameter of 1–10 nm, which is randomly dispersed in the ferrite matrix.The nano-sized carbide particles led to a strong precipitation hardening increment up to 310 MPa.     

Dynamic response and plastic deformation behavior of Ti–5Al–2.5Sn ELI and Ti–8Al–1Mo–1V alloys under high-strain rate

Split Hopkinson pressure bar test system was used to investigate the plastic deformation behavior and dynamic response character of a-type Ti–5Al–2.5Sn ELI and near a-type Ti–8Al–1Mo–1V titanium alloy when subjected to dynamic loading. In the present work, stress–strain curves at strain rate from 1.5 9 103to 5.0 9 103s-1were analyzed, and optical microscope(OM) was used to reveal adiabatic shearing behavior of recovered samples. Results show that both the two alloys manifest significant strain hardening effects. Critical damage strain rate of the two alloys is about 4.3 9 103s-1, under which the impact absorbs energy of Ti–5Al–2.5Sn ELI and Ti–8Al–1Mo–1V are 560 and 470 MJ m-3, respectively. Both of them fracture along the maximum shearing strength orientation, an angle of 45° to the compression axis. No adiabatic shear band(ASB) is found in Ti–5Al–2.5Sn ELI alloy, whereas several ASBs with different widths exist without regular direction in Ti–8Al–1Mo–1V alloy.     

Precipitation Softening and Precipitate Free Zones of V55Ti30Ni15 Alloys During Heat Treatment

The microstructure, hardness, and precipitate free zones(PFZ) of V55Ti30Ni15 alloys during heat treatment have been investigated in this study. The microstructure resulting from different heat treatment conditions has a great influence on hardness. The microstructure resulting from different heat treatment conditions has a great influence on hardness. Fine Ni Ti particles precipitate from the supersaturated V-matrix solid solution at 750 °C, increase in quantity until 800 °C, and then dissolve back into the V-matrix at 850 °C. The resultant hardness decreases with temperature until 800 °C, and then increases from 800 to 850 °C. The microstructure containing small Ni Ti precipitates resulting from the treatment of 18 h at800 °C has a good soft condition for workability. PFZ formed at the grain boundary of V-matrix during heat treatment was observed. Vacancies depletion in V-matrix maybe led to the formation of PFZ.     

Hot Deformation Behavior and Dynamic Recrystallization Characteristics in a Low-Alloy High-Strength Ni–Cr–Mo–V Steel

This study presented a quantitative investigation of deformation behavior and dynamic recrystallization of low-alloy highstrength Ni–Cr–Mo–V steels during hot deformation.A series of isothermal compression experiments were performed at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1200°C and strain rates from 0.01 to 10 s~(-1)with a height reduction of 60%.A complete Arrhenius constitutive model and processing maps were developed.The results showed that the constitutive model had the ability to predict the flow stress with an average absolute relative error of\5.7%.The processing maps constructed at strains of 0.2,0.4,and 0.8 showed that flow instability was prone to occur at higher strain.Dynamic recrystallization tended to take place at higher temperatures(900–1200°C)and lower strain rates(0.01–1 s~(-1)).The critical strain for the onset of dynamic recrystallization was determined,and a kinetics model was developed.The predicted results for recrystallization volume fraction and flow stress were compared with the experimental data,which indicated that the model was accurate and reliable.     

Effect of V–Ti Addition on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Rolled Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel

In order to reveal the effect of V–Ti addition on the microstructure evolution and the mechanical properties of hot-rolled transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP) steel, two steels with 0.072 V–0.051 Ti steel(Bear-V–Ti steel) and 0.001 V–0.001 Ti steel(Free-V–Ti steel) were designed, respectively, and the comparison analyses were carried out by performing thermodynamic calculation and an experiment. With the thermodynamic calculation, the critical annealing temperature of a large fraction of retained austenite(～51%) obtained via solute enrichment was determined, and an optimized quenching at 650 °C and tempering at 200 °C adopted on the as-hot-rolled steel. The results show that the V–Ti TRIP steel displays more optimum mechanical stability during the tensile deformation, since the fraction and the mechanical stability of retained austenite are improved and the microstructure is also ultrarefined by V–Ti alloy precipitation. The yield strength of Bear-V–Ti steel increases from 650 to 800 MPa, and the ductility reaches 37%, showing that the comprehensive mechanical properties are greatly improved.     

Carbide Precipitation in Ferrite in Nb–V-Bearing Low-Carbon Steel During Isothermal Quenching Process

The precipitation behavior of nanometer-sized carbides in ferrite in Nb–V-bearing low-carbon steel was studied by electron microscopy and nanoindentation hardness measurements.The results indicated that interphase precipitation and random precipitation could occur simultaneously for the specimen isothermally treated at 700 °C for 60 min,while in other specimens,only random precipitation was observed.This phenomenon might be explained by mass balance criterion during the diffusional phase transformation.Nanohardness result indicated that the average hardness of the specimens isothermally held at 600 °C for 20 min was 3.87 GPa.For the specimen isothermally holding at 650 °C for 20 min,the average hardness was 4.10 GPa and the distribution of the nanohardness was in a narrower range compared with that of the specimen isothermal holding at 600 °C for 20 min.These implied that the carbides in the specimens isothermal treated at650 °C were more uniformly dispersed,and the number density of the carbides was greater than that treated at 600 °C.Using Ashby–Orowan model,the contribution of precipitation strengthening to yield strength was estimated to be*110 MPa for the specimen isothermally treated at the temperature of 650 °C for 20 min.     

Relationship Between the Strengthening Effect and the Morphology of Precipitates in Al–7.4Zn–1.7Mg–2.0Cu Alloy

The morphological evolution of the precipitates in Al–7.4Zn–1.7Mg–2.0Cu(wt%) alloy was studied by highresolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM). Statistics reveal that the hardness of the alloy changes accordingly with the change of the average thickness–diameter ratio of precipitates. The GPII zones are mainly responsible for the first and also the highest hardness peak. They grow in diameter and keep 7-atomic-layer in thickness. Once the thickness changes, the phase transformation from GPII zone to g0 or g-precursor would occur. The resultant metastable g0 and g-precursor precipitates grow in both diameter and thickness, but much faster in the former. After the first hardness peak,the metastable g0 precipitates and g-precursor, coexisting with part of GPII zones, are counted as the main hardening precipitates.     

Fatigue Damage Mechanism of AL6XN Austenitic Stainless Steel at High Temperatures

By the combination of transmission electron microscope, neutron diffraction and small-angle neutron scattering methods, mechanical fatigue behavior of AL6XN austenitic stainless steel was investigated in the temperature range of 400–600 °C. At 400 °C, in addition to the occurrence of dynamic strain aging, the formation of short-range order was evidenced from the forbidden electron diffraction spot of 1/3 {422} in face-centered cubic(fcc) structure viewed down [111] zone axis, which facilitate the planar slip mode of dislocation and result in the work hardening during the fatigue deformation. The fatigue damage is mainly dominated by the accumulation of planar slip band and the interaction among various slip systems. With increasing temperature, precipitates of chi phase, Laves phase and sigma phase were formed during the fatigue tests at 500 and 600 °C. An increase in precipitation content at 600 °C has also been confirmed by both scanning electron microscope and small-angle neutron scattering analysis. The dislocation pileup originating from the uncoordinated deformation between precipitate and austenitic matrix is an important fatigue damage leading to crack. The continuous cycle softening behavior was also observed on the fatigue curve at 600 °C, which is considered to be caused by dynamic recovery.     

Characterization of α_2 Precipitates in Ti–6Al and Ti–8Al Binary Alloys: A Comparative Investigation

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) techniques were used to investigate the nanoscale orderedα_2 (Ti _(3 )Al) precipitates in Ti–Al binary alloys.Ti–6Al and Ti–8Al binary alloys were solution treated and aged to obtain Widmanstatten microstructure and promoteα_(2 )precipitates.The TEM results displayed strong short-range ordering ofα_(2 )precipitates in Ti–8Al alloy,while no evidence of the superlattice reflections ofα_(2 )in Ti–6Al alloy.The results acquired from APT showed theα_(2 )clusters and atoms distribution at the interface between the matrix andα_(2 )precipitates.The size and morphology ofα_(2 )particles in Ti–8Al alloy,respectively,obtained by TEM and APT are closely consistent.Meanwhile,the APT results displayed tiny size clusters in Ti–6Al alloy,which supposed to give evidence of the initial ordering process ofα_(2 )precipitates in the absence of correlative results from TEM.     

Effect of Austempering–Partitioning on the Bainitic Transformation and Mechanical Properties of a High-Carbon Steel

The 1.1C–1.5Si–1.1Mn–1.4Cr–0.5Mo–0.6Al–0.6Co(in wt%) steel was treated, respectively, by isothermal austempering process and newly developed austempering–partitioning–tempering process(A–P–T). After austempering at250, 280 and 300 °C for 38, 20 and 10 h, respectively, the sample microstructures were composed of bainitic ferrite plates and film-like retained austenite with thicknesses between 60 and 150 nm. The highest tensile strength of 2003 MPa and hardness value of 53.9 HRC were obtained for the steel after austempering at 250 °C for 38 h, resulting from the combining effect of super-saturated martensite decarburization and stabilization of bainitic formation. After A–P–T treating(heated at 300 °C for 8 h following water cooling, and then heated at 300 °C for 2 h following air cooling),bamboo leaf-like martensite, primary and secondary bainites and retained austenite were observed. The thickness of the secondary bainitic ferrite plates formed during partitioning is much smaller than that of the primary bainite formed during300 °C austempering. Samples subjected to A–P–T treatment showed improvement in ductility compared to that subjected to austempering.     

等温冷却时间对Ti-V-Mo复合微合金钢组织转变及硬度的影响

通过OM、SEM、TEM和维氏硬度计等手段研究了不同等温冷却时间对Ti-V-Mo复合微合金钢组织转变、析出行为及硬度的影响,探讨了影响硬度变化的因素。结果表明,Ti-V-Mo复合微合金钢奥氏体化后在630 ℃等温冷却0~3 h,随着等温时间的延长,基体中的铁素体比例不断增加而马氏体和贝氏体比例逐渐降低,硬度呈现先升高再趋于平稳,再升高至其最大值,最后略有下降。60~1200 s时,硬度出现平台是因为纳米级(Ti, V, Mo)C粒子的沉淀强化效果能够弥补相变导致基体软化造成的硬度损失;3600 s时,硬度达到最大值为457 HV,此时纳米级(Ti, V, Mo)C粒子产生的沉淀强化效果最佳。     

回火温度对Ti-V-Mo微合金化马氏体钢析出相和力学性能的影响

利用微观分析和物理化学相分析法,对不同回火温度(550,600,650 ℃)保温1 h后的Ti-V-Mo微合金化马氏体钢的组织和析出相表征,并进行了强化分量的计算。结果表明,在600 ℃回火时具有最佳的综合力学性能:抗拉强度为1298 MPa,屈服强度为1286 MPa,伸长率为14%。强化分量计算结果表明:析出强化和细晶强化是主要的强化方式,约占总强度的40%和30%,其中析出强化分量σ_p为517 MPa,由5 nm以下的(Ti,V,Mo)C粒子(质量分数22%)提供。回火温度由550 ℃升高到600 ℃,抗拉强度和屈服强度均有增加,同时伸长率变化不大,其主要原因是σ_p对屈服强度的贡献量提高,在提高强度的同时改善了塑性。     

Effect of Pre-deformation on Nanoscale Precipitation and Hardness of a Maraging Stainless Steel

The effect of pre-deformation on nanoscale precipitates and hardness of a maraging stainless steel strengthened by the co-precipitation of Ni₃Ti, Mo-enriched and Cr-enriched precipitates was systematically studied using electron back scattered diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography (APT). Hardness measurements showed that the hardness of specimen with a deformation ratio of 90% peaked at HV 718 aged for 24 h, which is higher than that in the undeformed specimen (HV 603) aged for 72 h at 480 °C. APT characterization revealed that pre-deformation could shorten the incubation time of the Mo-enriched and Cr-enriched precipitates. At the early-aged stage, pre-deformation increased the stain energy that inhibited the nucleation of Ni₃Ti precipitates, but accelerated the rejection of Mo from Ni-Ti clusters. Besides, the strengthening model indicated that strain hardening (43%) makes a larger contribution to the hardness at the early-aged condition, while precipitation hardening (58%) has most contribution to the hardness at the peak-aged conditition.     

Nb-V-Ti和V-Ti微合金钢中碳氮化物的回溶行为

采用TEM和EDX技术,研究了低碳微合金钢中Nb,V,Ti的碳氮化物在不同温度保温后的回溶行为.结果表明,Nb-V-Ti微合金钢中存在尺寸明显不同的两类析出,较大的析出颗粒平均尺寸在80 nm以上,其心部为(Nb,V,Ti)(C,N),而边部为(Nb,Ti)(C,N),较小的析出颗粒平均尺寸在20 nm以下,其类型为(Nb,Ti)(C,N).两类析出物中Nb/Ti原子比均随回溶温度的升高而减小.V-Ti微合金钢中,Ti的存在对V的回溶具有拖曳作用,提高了V的碳氮化物的热稳定性.Nb-V-Ti微合金钢中,由于Nb,V,Ti之间综合作用,使得析出相中V具有更高的热稳定性.     

淬火温度对高Ti低合金耐磨钢组织及力学性能的影响

研究了淬火温度对高Ti低合金耐磨钢组织转变、析出相和力学性能的影响,并分析了组织演变和力学性能变化的原因。结果表明:试验钢经不同温度淬火和200 ℃回火后的组织均为高位错密度板条马氏体;析出相尺寸主要为微米-亚微米-纳米三种尺度,微米级析出相呈杆棒状,亚微米以及纳米析出相呈球状,马氏体板条上分布着细小的(Ti, Mo)C析出相。随着淬火温度的升高,试验钢的屈服强度、抗拉强度和维氏硬度均先升高后降低,均在920 ℃时有最大值,分别为1248 MPa、1535 MPa和434 HV,此时伸长率为10.0%。随淬火温度升高,纳米级析出相逐渐回溶,数量减少且尺寸逐渐长大,沿轧制方向被压扁拉长的原奥氏体晶粒尺寸以及马氏体板条块尺寸略有增大,但马氏体板条宽度却无明显长大。大量的弥散分布的5～10 nm的(Ti, Mo)C粒子是促进耐磨钢硬度升高的主要因素。细小的(Ti, Mo)C析出相逐渐长大以及原奥氏体晶粒的增大都不利于耐磨钢硬度的提高。     

Nb对高Ti耐候钢连续冷却后显微组织及硬度的影响

采用Gleeble热模拟试验机研究了微合金元素Nb对高Ti耐候钢奥氏体连续冷却转变行为的影响,通过光学显微镜(OM)、透射电镜(TEM)以及硬度测试等手段比较了0.050%Nb和无Nb试验钢连续冷却转变后显微组织和硬度的变化。结果表明,Nb能抑制铁素体相变,促进贝氏体相变。冷却速度由5 ℃/s提高到10 ℃/s,两种试验钢的晶粒细化效果均最显著,无Nb钢和0.050%Nb钢硬度分别增加了22 HV0.2和25 HV0.2。冷却速度为40 ℃/s时,无Nb试验钢中析出物主要为6～13 nm球形Ti(C, N)复合析出物;含Nb试验钢中主要为5～12 nm球形(Ti, Nb)(C, N)和10～15 nm方形(Ti, Nb)(C, N)复合析出物,含Nb试验钢析出物较多,因此析出强化作用更强。在高Ti耐候钢中,Nb产生的晶粒细化作用并不显著。在相同冷速下,0.050%Nb试验钢的硬度略高于无Nb试验钢,最大差值仅为11 HV0.2。     

均热温度对Ti-V复合微合金钢组织演变和硬度的影响

利用OM、SEM、Vickers硬度计等手段研究了均热温度对Ti-V复合微合金钢组织转变及硬度的影响,并阐明了组织演变和硬度变化的原因。结果表明,Ti-V钢不同均热温度淬火后组织均为马氏体。随着均热温度由1000 ℃升至1250 ℃,Ti-V钢的硬度由333 HV降低到212 HV,原始奥氏体晶粒尺寸由52 μm升至209 μm。全固溶温度以上时,仍存在少量TiN粒子,且随温度升高逐渐溶解,其对晶界的钉扎作用是阻止晶粒长大的主要因素。Ti-V钢原始奥氏体尺寸对硬度的影响随其尺寸的增大逐渐减小,均热温度应选择1220 ℃以下,以避免粗大晶粒。     

热处理工艺对4Cr3Mo2Si1V钢组织与性能的影响

利用热膨胀相变仪测定了新型热作模具钢4Cr3Mo2Si1V的奥氏体连续冷却转变(CCT)曲线,研究了其在不同淬火、回火工艺下的力学性能和显微组织。结果表明:4Cr3Mo2Si1V钢的珠光体与贝氏体的临界冷速分别为0.03 ℃·s^-1和0.8 ℃·s^-1。经淬火试验,发现该钢种在1030 ℃和1060 ℃油淬后具有较高的硬度,且晶粒未发生明显长大。随着回火温度的提高,其硬度呈现先增后降的趋势,在500 ℃回火时由于第二相粒子大量析出,析出强化作用增强,促使二次硬化现象产生,硬度达到峰值,约57 HRC。经过多组工艺对比后,发现1030 ℃淬火和600 ℃回火后的平均冲击吸收能量达到最大值,为265 J,且硬度值仍保持在52 HRC,故最终选定1030 ℃×30 min油淬+600 ℃×2 h回火两次作为4Cr3Mo2Si1V钢的最佳热处理工艺。     

W6Mo5Cr4V2高速钢激光相变硬化组织与耐磨性

研究了Ｗ６Ｍｏ５Ｃｒ４Ｖ２（Ｍ２）高速钢经激光相变硬化后的组织与耐磨性。结果表明,经激光淬火后可获得１０００ＨＶ以上的超高硬度,组织是细马氏体,激光相变硬化层的耐磨性与常规处理的相比提高约４０％