The relationship between case depth and bending fatigue strength of gas carburized SAE 8620 steel

The fatigue performance of gas carburized SAE 8620 steel was evaluated as a function of case depth. To vary the case depths, different carburizing times were applied. The typical times were: 45 min, 3 and 5 h at the temperature of 940 °C. To cause failure in the rotating bending fatigue specimens, the applied load was chosen as the equivalent load at 10⁶ cycles for the material when is subjected to bending fatigue. The characterization of the specimens was carried out using X-ray diffraction technique for stress measurement and retained austenite and optical metallographic examination. The fractured surfaces were cleaned in an ultrasonic bath and examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with EDX to evaluate the crack initiation and growth characteristics of the materials in the core and carburized case regions of specimens. The results showed that the fatigue limit was associated with the microstructure, the case depth, the distribution of retained austenite, the depth of the internal oxidation and the compressive residual stresses near the surface. The bending fatigue strength of gas carburized specimens was showed to decrease with the increasing case depths caused by the increasing of internal oxidation and nonmartensitic transformation present at the surface.     

TRANSFORMATION OF RETAINED AUSTENITE IN CARBURIZED CASE DURING FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH

The morphology of the retained austenite in the carburized case of 20CrNiMo steel and itstransformation during fatigue crack propagation through the case were investigated by usingX-ray and TEM analysis.In the carburized case both film and block shaped retainedaustenite were found.Due to the crystallographic orientation relationship at the interface,thefatigue crack is inclined to pass through the block shaped retained austenite and thereby stim-ulates its strain-induced martensitie transformation.During the process of the fatigue frac-ture,most of the retained austenite structures on the crack path are transformed into themartensite,and the untranaformed parts on the fracture surface remain less than 6%.Thetransformation of the retained austenite,which is restrieted mainly within the plastic zone,oc-curs only during the proeess of fracture,and is independent of the magnitudes of the externalstress,stress ratio and cyclic number.The volume expansion accompanying the transforma-tion creates an additional residual displacement of about 0.44μm on fracture surfaces,whichis equivalent to the magnitude of the plasticity-induced residual displacement.The phasetransformation induced fatigue crack closure is believed to be an important factor affectingthe fatigue crack behaviors in the high carbon laver of the carburized case.     

20CrMnTi钢弥散碳化物高碳含量渗碳的研究

高碳含量、碳化物弥散分布的渗碳表层,具有较高的耐磨性和接触疲劳强度。获得这种渗层组织的工艺方法已有论述［１～４］。本文对最常用的２０ＣｒＭｎＴｉ钢在井式气体渗碳炉中进行高碳含量渗碳试验,供齿轮和其他耐磨件生产厂家参考。     

边界润滑条件下18Cr2Ni4WA钢的摩擦诱发马氏体相变及其耐磨特性的研究

用18Cr2Ni4WA钢,经渗碳、淬火和冷处理,以获得不同残留奥氏体含量的试样,进行了与T10钢金属盘对磨的边界润滑磨损试验研究.结果表明,磨损过程中确实存在摩擦诱发马氏体相变,且碳含量低的残留奥氏体较碳含量高的残留奥氏体更易发生诱发相变;摩擦诱发马氏体对提高材料的耐磨性是有利的,而残留奥氏体对耐磨性的影响却存在一个临界应力σc;当外加应力＞σc时,残留奥氏体对提高材料的耐磨性有利;当外加应力＜σc时,残留奥氏体对提高材料的耐磨性不利,并且当残留奥氏体和外加应力搭配适当时,耐磨性可达最高值.     

铌微合金化重载齿轮钢的疲劳性能

利用旋转弯曲疲劳试验方法研究了三种重载齿轮钢渗碳后的疲劳性能。结果表明,添加铌能够细化重载齿轮钢组织,提高渗碳层硬度,从而提高其疲劳强度。同时,疲劳裂纹在渗碳层沿原奥氏体晶界扩展,铌微合金化重载齿轮钢的晶粒细化,从而可以阻碍疲劳裂纹的扩展。此外,扫描电镜观察疲劳断口发现,重载齿轮钢渗碳后疲劳裂纹起源于基体或夹杂物,夹杂物尺寸越小,疲劳性能越好。     

深冷处理对18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢耐磨性的影响

使用正交试验对18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢渗碳钢深冷处理工艺参数进行筛选优化,分析深冷处理时间、低温回火温度和时间对试样耐磨性的影响,并对试样磨痕形貌、显微组织、残留奥氏体以及显微硬度进行分析。研究表明,18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢渗碳淬火后的-196 ℃深冷工艺参数对磨损量影响的显著性排序为:深冷处理时间＞低温回火时间＞低温回火温度。深冷处理能够有效增加试样的耐磨性,在深冷温度-196 ℃,深冷处理时间1 h,低温回火温度120 ℃,低温回火时间2 h的工艺下试样磨损量最小,与未深冷时相比减少46.67%,磨损机制变为磨粒磨损与氧化磨损。经过深冷处理后渗碳层的碳化物沿晶界析出,同时有小颗粒碳化物在基体上弥散析出。深冷处理能够降低钢的残留奥氏体含量,增加马氏体含量,使表层渗碳层的显微硬度增加,从而改善18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢的耐磨性。     

合金结构钢渗碳淬火后渗层残余奥氏体的控制

低碳合金结构钢经渗碳或碳氦共渗和淬火后，其渗层组织中存在残余奥氏体，残余奥氏体量过多会使渗层硬度下降，从而影响零件的使用寿命。不同产品对残余奥氏体量的要求量是不同的，可采用相应的热处理工艺进行控制。残余奥氏体量一般采用金相法测定，介绍了检测残余奥氏体的相关标准。     

冲击磨损条件下残留奥氏体的作用

在冲击磨损条件下，关于高铬铣铁中的残留奥氏体的作用，在国内及国外都有不同的看法。为此进行了ＭＬＤ－１０的冲击磨损试验、单点冲击试验和落球试验。试验结果表明，残留奥氏体均 于各种条件下的磨损，探讨了消除残留奥氏体的措施。     

Role of the cyclic stability of retained austenite in fatigue performance of carburized 14NiCr11 steel

The role of retained austenite in the fatigue strength of carburized 14NiCr11 steel was studied by considering two gas-carburizing treatments leading to two maximum retained austenite fractions of 20 and 40%. These states led to endurance limit improvements evaluated at 40 and 10%, respectively, compared with the untreated state. These improvements were explained by the evolution of retained austenite during the cyclic loading using the dispersive x-ray diffraction technique. This reveals that the best fatigue strength is attributed to the homogeneous transformation of the retained austenite fraction in the treated layer during the cyclic loading.     

Specimen edge effects on bending fatigue of carburized steel

The effects of specimen geometry on the fatigue behavior of SAE 4320 steel carburized at 927 °C were evaluated with two sets of cantilever bend specimens, one set machined with square edges and one set machined with round edges. The specimens with square edges exhibited a 13% lower fatigue limit. In comparison to the rounded samples, the lower fatigue limit in the square-edged samples was attributed to the presence of a higher volume fraction of retained austenite in the sample corners and a lower surface residual compressive stress. As a result of the differences in residual stress, preferential crack initiation sites existed in the square-edged samples at a location approximately 200 to 900 ώm from the square edge. The implications of this study on laboratory analyses of the bending fatigue performance of carburized gear steels are discussed.     

EFFECT OF RETAINED AUSTENITE ON CONTACT FATIGUE RESISTANCE OF STEEL 18Cr2Ni4WA

在滚动接触疲劳试验机上,对不同残余奥氏体含量的18Cr2Nj4WA 钢制成的滚轮试样进行了试验.试验结果表明,残余奥氏体含量商的试样比含量低的试样具有较好的接触疲劳性能.认为奥氏体内超细团粒的出现,形成微观双相组织,可能是提高接触疲劳抗力很重要的因素.此外,形变诱发马氏体相变及残余应力的增加等对接触疲劳抗力的提高,也起一定的作用.     

硅对准贝氏体渗碳钢组织与性能的影响

研究了硅对准贝氏体渗碳钢渗碳组织与性能的影响。试验结果表明，硅降低渗层碳浓度、使渗碳层碳含量的分布平缓，阻碍渗层碳化物析出，渗碳后空冷渗层最外层组织为高碳马氏体和残留奥氏体。硅能显著提高渗碳钢的回火抗力。     

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on the wear resistance of hardfacing martensitic steel deposits

The effect of different post-weld heat treatments on the microstructure and wear resistance of martensitic deposits were studied. The deposit was welded using a metal-cored tubular wire, in the flat welding position, on a 375 × 75 × 19 mm SAE 1010 plate, using 98% Ar–2% CO₂ shielding gas mixture and with an average heat input of 2.8 kJ/mm. The samples were heat treated at temperatures between 500 and 680°C for 2 h. Chemical composition, Vicker's microhardness and wear properties with AMSLER tests in a sliding condition were determined. In the as welded condition, the microstructure was principally composed of martensite and retained austenite. Significant variations in wear resistance and hardness were measured for different tempering temperatures. For the different heat-treated conditions, it was observed that the decomposition of retained austenite to martensite and carbide precipitation was associated with the tempering of martensite. A secondary hardness effect was detected with maximum hardness of 710 HV for 550°C heat treatment temperature. The best performance in wear test was obtained for this condition. Wear rates for the different conditions were obtained and mathematical expressions were developed. For each case, wear mechanisms were analyzed.     

不同热处理条件下贝氏体钢的微观组织和疲劳裂纹扩展

以贝氏体钢为研究对象,设计了4种热处理工艺,研究了不同热处理工艺下试验钢的显微组织及疲劳裂纹扩展速率。结果表明,热轧态试验钢的微观组织以粒状贝氏体为主,其上分布有少量的板条贝氏体、马氏体和粗大块状M/A岛,残留奥氏体的体积分数为16.2%,但稳定性较差,裂纹能够直接穿过粗大的块状M/A岛继续扩展,疲劳裂纹扩展速率最快。经900 ℃奥氏体化+空冷后,显微组织以板条贝氏体和马氏体为主,M/A岛仍为粗大的块状,残留奥氏体含量减少至12.3%,疲劳裂纹扩展速率略有降低。经900 ℃奥氏体化+380 ℃盐浴等温30 min +空冷后,显微组织以细密、有序的板条贝氏体为主,残留奥氏体含量减少至10.2%,以薄膜状伴生在板条贝氏体间,板条状贝氏体及板条间的残留奥氏体薄膜会使裂纹端钝化、分叉、偏折,阻碍裂纹扩展的能力增强;经350 ℃回火240 min后,显微组织以马氏体和板条贝氏体为主,残留奥氏体含量比热轧态略微降低,为14.9%;而经450 ℃回火240 min后,显微组织以板条状贝氏体为主,其上分布有少量的马氏体,残留奥氏体体积分数减少至8.6%,也以薄膜状伴生在贝氏体板条间,同时有大量的碳化物析出,裂纹扩展速率最慢。     

On The Enhancement of Wear Resistance of Hardened Carbon Tool Steel （AISI 1095） With Cryogenic Quenching

Many experimental investigations reveal that it is very difficult to have a completely martensitic structure by any hardening process. Some amount of austenite is generally present in the hardened steel. This austenite existing along with martensite is normally referred as the retained austenite. The presence of retained austenite greatly reduces the mechanical properties and such steels do not develop maximum hardness even after cooling at rates higher than the critical cooling rates.Strength can be improved in hardened steels containing retained austenite by a process known as cryogenic quenching.Untransformed austenite is converted into martensite by this treatment. This conversion of retained austenite into martensite results in increased hardness, wear resistance and dimensional stability of steel. Wear can be defined as the progressive loss of materials from the operating surface of a body occurring as a result of relative motion at the surface. Hardness, load,speed, surface roughness, temperature are the major factors which influences wear. Many studies on wear indicate that increasing hardness decreases the wear of a material. With this in mind, to study the surface wear on a surface modified (Cryogenic treated) steel material an attempt has been made in this paper. In this study as a Part -I Hardening was carried out on carbon tool steel (AISI 1095) of different L/D ratio with conventional quenchants like purified water, aqueous solution and Hot mineral oil. As a Part -II hardening was followed by quenching was carried out as said in Part- I and the hardened specimen were quenched in liquid Nitrogen which is at sub zero condition. The specimens were tested for its microstructure, hardness and wear loss. The results were compared and analyzed. The alloying elements increases the content of retained austenite hence the material used was AISI 1095 (Carbon 0.9%, Si 0.2%, Mn0.4% and the rest Iron)     

Effect of Deep Cryogenic Heat Treatment on the Wear Behavior of Carburized DIN 1.7131 Grade Steel

The effects of the deep cryogenic heat treatment on the microstructural changes,wear resistance,and hardness of carburized DIN 1.7131 grade steel were investigated.Results show that cryogenic heat treatment reduced the retained austenite and increased the carbide amount.In addition,after the cryogenic heat treatment,carbide shows a more uniform distribution,as compared to the conventionally treated ones.It was also clarified that the hardness of the cryogenically treated samples was improved,but the relative improvement decreases with the distance as the surface increases.It has been shown that the wear resistance improves due to the cryogenic heat treatment,and the predominant wear mechanism is a combination of the adhesive and tribo-chemical wear.     

Effects of solidification structure on fatigue crack initiation and fatigue strength in Al−Si−Mg cast alloys

Rotating-bending uniaxial fatigue tests and micro-fatigue crack initiation tests were carried out using a permanent mold cast (PMC) and semi-solid die cast (SDC) with Al−7%Si−0.35%Mg composition in order to examine the relationship between solidification structures and fatigue behaviors. The crack length was measured using a replication method. Fatigue strength was improved in SDC, which was almost consistent with the predicted fatigue strength using the size of Si particle cluster. Resistance to fatigue crack initiation and fatigue strength were improved in SDC owing to the finer Si cluster and to higher ultimate tensile strength. Fatigue crack in PMC was preferentially initiated at pores. For SDC, the fatigue crack was initiated at the Si particle/matrix interface, and then sucessively grew along eutectic cell boundaries.     

Influence of Ni Content on Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Sintered and Carburized Steels

The dry sliding wear behavior of two sintered and carburized steels with different Ni amounts has been investigated. The microstructure of the two steels comprises martensite, bainite, and the Ni-rich austenite. Under the sliding conditions investigated, wear is either oxidative or adhesive. In both cases, the lower amount of the soft Ni-rich austenite results in a better wear resistance. A design procedure for parts subject to dry sliding wear applications is proposed, based on the maximum acceptable wear depth, in order to evaluate the practical significance of the differences between the two materials.     

The influence of microstructure on the tensile and fatigue behavior of SAE 6150 steel

The tensile and reverse-bending fatigue behaviors of the SAE 6150 steel in the dual-phase (DP), fully martensitic, and tempered states, respectively, have been investigated using mechanical tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) microscopy, and optical microscopy. Residual stresses, inherent microcracks, and retained austenite films in the martensitic steel, quenched from 900 °C, lead to the development of inferior tensile and fatigue strength. Tempering at 700°C relieves the residual stresses associated with martensite, causes the precipitation of microalloy carbides (MACs), and thus results in superior strength, increased fatigue resistance, and moderate ductility. The DP microstructure, consisting of martensite islets in a ferrite matrix, gives rise to a combination of good strength, excellent ductility, and commendable fatigue characteristics. MAC in the tempered steel and martensite islands in the DP variant enhance fatigue performance by causing crack tip deflection and concomitant crack path tortuosity. Strain incompatibility between martensite and ferrite in the DP steel, and cementite films and ferrite in the tempered variant are identified as fatigue crack initiation sites.     

基于全场法的航空Ti-2Al-1.5Mn钛合金疲劳裂纹扩展各向异性研究

准确定量表征航空重要承载结构材料抗疲劳裂纹扩展能力是实施结构件服役寿命评估的基础。本文针对航空用Ti-2Al-1.5Mn钛合金,沿着板材不同取向制备CT试样开展疲劳裂纹扩展速率试验,分别基于全场法及传统方法定量表征了裂纹扩展各阶段应力强度因子幅DK。结果表明：疲劳裂纹扩展速率da/dN-DK关系及裂纹扩展路径显著受到材料取向的影响。相比较于传统表征应力强度因子幅方法,基于全场法一方面能够直接考虑裂尖塑性变形引起裂纹闭合的影响,另一方面能够有效避免因裂纹扩展路径偏折带来的有效裂纹长度测量偏差,从而不能准确获取有效应力强度因子幅的问题,其具有显著优势。基于全场法的疲劳裂纹扩展应力强度因子幅表征具有广泛应用全景。