Tempering Kinetics of Alloy Steels as a Function of Quench Rate and Ms Temperature

The effect of quench rate on the as-quenched hardness and carbide or carbon segregate particle size was studied for two alloy steels with M_s temperatures of 310 °C and 300 °C. The quench rate was varied from 681 to 93,000 °C per second. The hardness was studied using the Vickers hardness technique and the particle size was measured using the high-resolution, small-angle X-ray scattering technique. The as-quenched hardness and particle size were both found to decrease as the quench rate increased. Analysis of the data ruled out autotempering of the martensite as a likely basis for the observed quench rate effects. The effects of aging at room temperature (20 °C) on the hardness and particle size for these alloys were also studied. The hardness and particle size were both found to increase as the aging time increased. After 24 hours of aging, the effect of quench rate disappeared in that the hardness and particle size attained were each essentially independent of quench rate. Formerly Research Associate, Department of Materials Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Formerly Research Associate, Department of Materials Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This paper is based on a presentation made at the “Peter G. Winchell Symposium on Tempering of Steel” held at the Louisville Meeting of The Metallurgical Society of AIME, October 12-13, 1981, under the sponsorship of the TMS-AIME Ferrous Metallurgy and Heat Treatment Committees.     

Tempering kinetics of alloy steels as a function of quench rate and Ms temperature

The effect of quench rate on the as-quenched hardness and carbide or carbon segregate particle size was studied for two alloy steels with M_s temperatures of 310 °C and 300 °C. The quench rate was varied from 681 to 93,000 °C per second. The hardness was studied using the Vickers hardness technique and the particle size was measured using the high-resolution, small-angle X-ray scattering technique. The as-quenched hardness and particle size were both found to decrease as the quench rate increased. Analysis of the data ruled out autotempering of the martensite as a likely basis for the observed quench rate effects. The effects of aging at room temperature (20 °C) on the hardness and particle size for these alloys were also studied. The hardness and particle size were both found to increase as the aging time increased. After 24 hours of aging, the effect of quench rate disappeared in that the hardness and particle size attained were each essentially independent of quench rate. DANIEL G. HENNESSY formerly Research Associate, Department of Materials Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. VIJAY SHARMA formerly Research Associate, Department of Materials Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. This paper is based on a presentation made at the “pcter G. Winchell Symposium on Tempering of Steel” held at the Louisville Meeting of The Metallurgical Society of AIME, October 12-13, 1981, under the sponsorship of the TMS-AIME Ferrous Metallurgy and Heat Treatment Committees.     

Nanocrystalline structure formation in Al-Mg-Sc alloys during severe plastic deformation

The possibility of formation of a nanocrystalline structure (with a grain size smaller than 100 nm) in four Al-Mg-Sc alloys with 3.1–5.9% Mg during severe plastic deformation by torsion at a hydrostatic pressure of 6 GPa (high-pressure torsion (HPT)) has been studied. Room-temperature HPT of the alloys is shown to produce a nanocrystalline structure if the magnesium content is more than 4% (in the range 0.16–0.31% Sc). As the magnesium content increases, the grain size decreases and is minimal (40–50 nm) in a 01570 alloy with 5.9% Mg and 0.3% Sc. The structure of the HPT-processed 01570 alloy remains nanocrystalline upon heating to 200°C or at a deformation temperature as high as 200°C. Postdeformation heating is found to cause aging processes. The hardening of all the Al-Mg-Sc alloys is maximal after HPT at 20°C followed by aging at 300°C.     

Calculation-experimental study of the phase composition of Al-Zn-Mg-(Cu)-Ni-Fe aluminum alloys

To optimize the compositions of new high-strength aluminum ATs7NZh and ATs6N0.5Zh alloys (economically alloyed nikalins), the thermodynamic optimization of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Ni-Fe system is performed via the construction of polythermal sections and the calculation of the chemical composition and volume fraction of phases at characteristic temperatures. The concentrations of the matrix elements (Zn, Mg, Cu) that determine the high level of mechanical properties are shown to be 6–7 wt % Zn, 2–3 wt % Mg, and up to 0.3 wt % Cu. The concentrations of the eutectic-forming elements (Ni, Fe) that ensure the solidification of (Al) + Al₉FeNi eutectic are determined. This eutectic favors an increase in the manufacturing properties of the alloys during casting, metal forming, and welding along with a retained high level of the mechanical properties. In general, experimental results confirm the calculated data.     

Aging behavior of Fe-30 Ni alloys containing niobium

A study has been made of the precipitation reactions in Fe-30 wt pct alloys containing up to 5 wt pct Nb. The as-quenched structures of these alloys consist, of austenite, martensite in twinned as well as in massive form, and Ni₃Nb and Fe₂Nb precipitates. On aging at 700° and 800°C the main precipitation reaction results in the formation of hexagonal Laves phase Fe₂Nb, but Ni₃Nb in both bct and orthorhombic structures also precipitates. The precipitation of Fe₂Nb is a heterogeneous process and results in a considerable increase in the hardness of the alloy.     

Effect of a high temperature and hydrostatic pressure on the structure and the properties of a high-strength cast AM5 (the 201.2 alloy type) aluminum alloy

The phase-transition temperatures of a high-strength cast AM5 aluminum alloy are determined at atmospheric pressure and an excess pressure of 100 MPa using differential barothermic analysis (DBA) and classical differential thermal analysis (DTA). An excess pressure of 100 MPa is shown to increase the critical temperatures of the alloy by 12–17°C (including an increase in the solidus temperature by 12°C), which makes it possible to increase the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) temperature above the temperature of heating for quenching. The following three barothermal treatment schedules at p = 100 MPa and τ = 3 h, which have different isothermal holding temperatures, are chosen to study the influence of HIP on the structure and the properties of alloy AM5 castings: HIP1 (t₁ = 505 ± 2°C), HIP2 (t₂ = 520 ± 2°C), and HIP3 (t₃ = 540 ± 2°C). High-temperature HIP treatment is found to increase the casting density and improve the morphology of secondary phases additionally, which ensures an increase in the plasticity of the alloy. In particular, the plasticity of the alloy after heat treatment according to schedule HIP3 + T6 (T6 means artificial aging to achieve the maximum strength) increases by a factor of ～1.5.     

Age Hardening of the Al0.5CoCrNiTi0.5 High-Entropy Alloy

Al_0.5CoCrNiTi_0.5 high-entropy alloy was synthesized by vacuum arc melting in a copper mold. This alloy was aged at 773 K to 1473 K (500 °C to 1200 °C) for 24 hours to investigate the microstructure and hardness. The hardness of the as-cast alloy is HV743, and it exhibits a dendritic structure, in which dendrite is composed of body-centered cubic (bcc), face-centered cubic (fcc), and σ phases, and interdendrite is an eutectic structure consisting of bcc and order bcc phases. Apparent age hardening appears at 873 K to 1173 K (600 °C to 900 °C), and no age softening occurs even after 1473 K (1200 °C) aging. The age hardening of this alloy is attributed to the transformation of the bcc phase to σ phase. Detailed variations of hardness and the microstructure of aged alloys are reported in this article.     

Effect of Sn Addition in Preprecipitation Stage in Al-Cu Alloys: A Correlative Transmission Electron Microscopy and Atom Probe Tomography Study

The effect of a trace addition of Sn (0.01?at. pct) in Al-1.7Cu (at. pct) alloy in the preprecipitation stage has been investigated by atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). APT demonstrates that Sn clusters form independently of Cu in the as-quenched (AQ) state in Al-1.7Cu-0.01Sn alloy. The Sn clusters lead to the rapid nucleation of ??-Sn precipitates during increased temperature aging. The APT analysis also indicates that Cu tends to cluster with Sn when the increased temperature aging commences. The TEM experiments revealed that GP zones formed during the first 30?seconds of aging at 473?K (200?°C) in both alloys. These GP zones were unstable and underwent a reversion reaction such that they were not detected after 180?seconds of aging. This process is thought to arise from heating rate effects and, at these higher temperatures, supplies a flux of Cu atoms that results in the heterogeneous nucleation of the ???? (Al₂Cu) phase.     

Effects of Aging Temperature on Electrical Conductivity and Hardness of Cu-3 at. pct Ti Alloy Aged in a Hydrogen Atmosphere

To improve the balance of the electrical conductivity and mechanical strength for dilute Cu-Ti alloys by aging in a hydrogen atmosphere, the influence of aging temperature ranging from 673 K to 773 K (400 °C to 500 °C) on the properties of Cu-3 at. pct Ti alloy was studied. The Vickers hardness increases steadily with aging time and starts to fall at 3 hours at 773 K (500 °C), 10 hours at 723 K (450 °C), or over 620 hours at 673 K (400 °C), which is the same as the case of conventional aging in vacuum. The maximum hardness increases from 220 to 236 with the decrease of aging temperature, which is slightly lower than aging at the same temperature in vacuum. The electrical conductivity at the maximum hardness also increases from 18 to 32 pct of pure copper with the decrease of the temperature, which is enhanced by a factor of 1.3 to 1.5 in comparison to aging in vacuum. Thus, aging at 673 K (400 °C) in a hydrogen atmosphere renders fairly good balance of strength and conductivity, although it takes nearly a month to achieve. The microstructural changes during aging were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom-probe tomography (APT), and it was confirmed that precipitation of the Cu₄Ti phase occurs first and then particles of TiH₂ form as the third phase, thereby efficiently removing the Ti solutes in the matrix.     

The Influence of Composition and Heat Treatment on the Phase Composition and Mechanical Properties of ML19 Magnesium Alloy

Samples of ML19 magnesium alloy with composition, wt %, (0.1–0.6)Zn–(0.4–1.0)Zr–(1.6–2.3)Nd–(1.4–2.2)Y have been investigated. The influence of Nd, Y, Zn, and Zr on equilibrium phase-transition temperatures and phase composition using Thermo-Calc software is established. The Scheil–Gulliver solidification model is also used. We show the significant liquidus temperature increase if the zirconium content in alloy is higher than (0.8–0.9) wt %. Thus, a higher melting temperature is required (more than 800°C). This is undesirable when melting in a steel crucible. The change in equilibrium fractions of phases at different temperatures in ML19 magnesium alloy with a minimum and maximum amount of alloying elements are calculated. Microstructures of alloys with different amounts of alloying elements in as-cast and heat-treated condition has been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We investigate the concentration profile of Nd, Y, Zn, and Zr in the dendritic cell of an as-cast alloy. The amount of neodymium and zinc on dendritic cell boundaries increased. A high concentration of yttrium is observed both in the center and on the boundaries of the dendritic cell. A high zirconium concentration is mainly observed in the center of the dendritic cells. A small amount of yttrium is also present in zirconium particles. These particles act as nucleation sites for the magnesium solid solution (Mg) during solidification. The effect of aging temperature (200 and 250°C) on the hardness of the samples after quenching was studied. Aging at 200°C provides a higher hardness. The change in the hardness of quenched samples during aging at 200°C is investigated. Maximum hardness is observed in samples aged for 16–20 h. The two-stage solution heat treatment for 2 h at 400°C and 8 h at 500°C with water quenching and aging at 200°C for 16 h is performed. This heat treatment enables us to get tensile strength 306 ± 8 MPa and yield strength 161 ± 1 MPa with elongation 8.7 ± 1.6%.     

Structure-property relations in a metastable β Ti alloy containing Si

The hardness response, tensile behavior, and phase transformations occurring in a quenched and aged metastable β phase Ti-30 at. pct V-l at. pct Si alloy have been inves-tigated. Upon aging at 570°C, as-quenched samples show a broad hardness peak which is associated with the formation of rod-like, hexagonal (Ti,V)_xSi_y transition phase precipi-tates. The equilibrium silicide is observed upon aging at 570°C in the form of faceted, tetragonal particles. A loss of tensile ductility and a transition to intergranular fracture occurs after extended aging at 570°C and is related to Si segregation to the grain bound-aries. Comparing the behavior of Ti-30V to that of Ti-30V-lSi shows that the presence of Si strongly retards α-phase formation. However, a substantial age hardening re-sponse still occurs upon aging at 450°C, especially after prior cold work (the yield strength increases from 635 to 982 MPa). This hardening response is combined with a retention of a ductile, transgranular fracture even after extended aging at 450°C. Aging first at 570°C followed by aging at 450°C results in an increase in the volume fraction of α-phase formed but a subsequent decrease in ductility and hardness response upon aging at 450°C. These results are discussed in terms of the structure/property relationships which result from the influence of Si on the formation of, a) (Ti.V)_xSi_y precipitates, b) the equilibrium silicide, and c) the α-phase.     

Influence of hot isostatic pressing on the structure and properties of an innovative low-alloy high-strength aluminum cast alloy based on the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Ni–Fe system

Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is applied for treatment of castings of innovative low-ally high-strength aluminum alloy, nikalin ATs6N0.5Zh based on the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Ni–Fe system. The influence of HIP on the structure and properties of castings is studied by means of three regimes of barometric treatment with different temperatures of isometric holding: t ₁ = 505 ± 2°C, p ₁ = 100 MPa, τ₁ = 3 h (HIP1); t ₂ = 525 ± 2°C, p ₂ = 100 MPa, τ₂ = 3 h (HIP2); and t ₃ = 545 ± 2°C, p ₃ = 100 MPa, τ₃ = 3 h (HIP3). It is established that high-temperature HIP leads to actually complete elimination of porosity and additional improvement of the morphology of second phases. Improved structure after HIP provides improvement properties, especially of plasticity. In particular, after heat treatment according of regime HIP2 + T4 (T4 is natural aging), the alloy plasticity is improved by about two times in comparison with the initial state (from ~6 to 12%). While applying regime HIP3 + T6 (T6 is artificial aging for reaching the maximum strength), the plasticity has improved by more than three times in comparison with the initial state, as after treatment according to regimes HIP1 + T6 and HIP2 + T6 (from ~1.2 to ~5.0%), which are characterized by a lower HIP temperature.     

Age Hardening Behavior and Corresponding Microstructure of Dilute Al-Er-Zr Alloys

The age hardening and the microstructure of dilute Al-Er-Zr alloys were investigated by microhardness tests and TEM. The Al-0.04Er alloy shows a conventional age hardening behavior and obtains a maximum hardness of 410 MPa after aging for 2 h at 523 K (250 °C) due to precipitation of Al₃Er. The addition of Zr to Al-Er alloy can slow down the growth of the precipitates and make the age hardening effect remain for a long time in Al-0.04Er-0.04Zr alloy. Addition of Zr retards the decomposition of Al-Er and the Al-0.04Er-0.08Zr alloy can reach higher peak hardness than that of Al-0.04Er after aging for long time at elevated temperature. The precipitation behavior of Al-Er-Zr system is likely to be a new commercial way to developing creep-resistant aluminum alloy.     

Hardness of tempered martensite in carbon and low-alloy steels

This paper presents the results of a systematic study of the effect of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, silicon, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium on the hardness of martensite in low to medium carbon steels tempered for one hour at 100°F (56°C) intervals in the range 400 to 1300°F (204 to 704°C). Results show that the as-quenched hardness depends solely on carbon content. On tempering, the effect of carbon on hardness decreases markedly with increasing tempering temperature. Studies of carbon-0.5 manganese steels showed that the incremental increase in hardness from 0.5 pct manganese after a given tempering treatment was independent of carbon content. Based on this result, studies of the effects of the other alloying elements were made using a 0.2 or 0.3 pct carbon, 0.3 to 0.5 pct manganese steel base composition. The hardness of the resulting tempered martensite was assumed to be due to a given alloy addition, and when two or more alloying elements were added, their effects were assumed to be additive. Each of the seven alloying elements increased the hardness of tempered martensite by varying amounts, the increase being greater as more of each element was present. Nickel and phosphorus have substantially the same effect at all tempering temperatures. Manganese has essentially the same hardening effect at any temperature in the range 700 (371°C) to 1300°F; silicon is most effective at 600°F (316°C), chromium at 800°F (427°C), molybdenum at 1000 to 1100°F (538 to 592°C), and vanadium at 1200°F (649°C). Using the data obtained, a procedure is established for calculating the hardness of tempered martensite for carbon and alloy steel compositions in the range studied and for any combination of tempering time and temperature. R. A. GRANGE was formerly with U. S. Steel Corporation (retired)     

The effect of molybdenum on γ′ coarsening and on elevated-temperature hardness in some experimental nickel-base superalloys

The coarsening of γ′ and the elevated-temperature hardness have been studied as a function of molybdenum content, time, and temperature in experimental wrought nickel-base superalloys. The alloys were selected from a systematic series containing 3, 4 1/2, and 6 wt pct Al and 1 wt pct Al plus 3 1/2 wt pct Ti. Each of the aluminum (plus titanium) series consisted of four alloys containing 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt pct Mo. The alloys were solution-treated plus aged up to 112 h at 1700°F (925°C) and up to 1000 h at 1400°F (760°C). Molybdenum retards the coarsening of γ′ on aging; this retarding effect is most pronounced in alloys containing 6 wt pct Al. The coarsening of γ′ particles follows Ostwald ripening kinetics. Hardness testingin vacuo at temperatures up to 1750°F (955°C) shows that molybdenum also increases the elevated-temperature hardness significantly. The relation of elevated-temperature hardness to the volume fraction of γ′ is considered, and the influence of aluminum and titanium contents is discussed.     

Effect of Aging Time on Mechanical Properties and Wear Characteristics of Near Eutectic Al–Si–Cu–Mg–Ni Piston Alloy

Al–12Si–3Cu–1 Mg–1.78Ni alloy is widely used for piston parts in automobile industry. The present paper investigates the effect of aging time for 1–16 h at 180 °C after solution treatment of the alloy at 500 °C for 5 h, on alloys prepared by gravity casting and squeeze casting. The wear rate of the alloy shows a minimum at an intermediate aging time. The hardness and ultimate tensile strength showed a peak at intermediate aging time. Mechanical properties and wear resistance are found to be better in squeeze cast alloy. The result are explained based on the microstructure developed during casting process and on heat treatment for various durations.     

Characterization of the aging response of a melt-spun Al-Be-Li alloy ribbon

A rapidly solidified Al-10 wt pct Be-3 wt pet Li alloy has been produced by a melt-spinning technique. The aging behavior of the melt-spun ribbon has been characterized by a number of techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, hardness measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. The results have shown that the aging responses of the ternary Al-Be-Li alloy are very similar to those of Al-Li binary alloys. Specifically, δ′ precipitates are formed at temperatures near 180 °C and they transform to δ at temperatures around 300 °C. Microstructural examination indicates that, in the Al-Be-Li alloy, α-Be particles are present in the matrix as independent dispersoids and, apparently, have little effect on the aging behavior of the Al-Li matrix; no new phases are present in the matrix of specimens heat treated up to 400 °C. The α-Be particles coarsen, however, above a temperature of approximately 300 °C. The growth of α-Be particles follows the classical Ostwald coarsening type of mechanism.     

Phase Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Nano-TiO2 Dispersed Zr-Based Alloys by Mechanical Alloying and Conventional Sintering

The present study deals with the synthesis of 1.0 to 2.0 wt pct nano-TiO₂ dispersed Zr-based alloy with nominal compositions 45.0Zr-30.0Fe-20.0Ni-5.0Mo (alloy A), 44.0Zr-30.0 Fe-20.0Ni-5.0Mo-1.0TiO₂ (alloy B), 44.0Zr-30.0Fe-20.0Ni-4.5Mo-1.5TiO₂ (alloy C), and 44.0Zr-30.0Fe-20.0Ni-4.0Mo-2.0TiO₂ (alloy D) by mechanical alloying and consolidation of the milled powders using 1 GPa uniaxial pressure for 5 minutes and conventional sintering at 1673 K (1400 °C). The microstructural and phase evolution during each stage of milling and the consolidated products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The particle size of the milled powder was also analyzed at systemic intervals during milling, and it showed a rapid decrease in particle size in the initial hours of milling. XRD analysis showed a fine crystallite size of 10 to 20 nm after 20 hours of milling and was confirmed by TEM. The recrystallization behavior of the milled powder was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The hardness of the sintered Zr-based alloys was recorded in the range of 5.1 to 7.0 GPa, which is much higher than that of similar alloys, developed via the melting casting route.     

Influence of the Chemical Composition and Heat Treatment Modes on the Phase Composition and Mechanical Properties of the ZK51A (ML12) Alloy

The objects of investigation are ZK51A (ML12) alloy samples containing from 3.5 to 5.5 wt % Zn and 0.5–0.8 wt % Zr. The influence of Zn and Zr content on phase transition temperatures and the phase composition in equilibrium conditions and when using the Scheil–Gulliver solidification model is established using the calculation of phase diagrams in the Thermo-Calc program. It is shown that a significant increase in the liquidus temperature of the alloy occurs at a zirconium content in the alloy higher than 0.8–0.9 wt %, and an increase in the melting temperature above 800°C is required, which is undesirable when using steel crucibles. The equilibrium content of alloying components in the magnesium-based solid solution at various temperatures is calculated. The microstructure of as cast and heat-treated alloys with various concentrations of alloying components is investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The distribution of Zn and Zr in a dendritic cell of the as cast and heat-treated alloy is investigated. Zinc is concentrated along the dendritic cell boundaries in the as cast state, but its concentration in their center becomes higher than along the boundaries after heat treatment (HT). Zirconium is concentrated in the center of dendritic cells. It is shown that the two-stage solutionizing mode gives the largest increment of this characteristic: 330°C, 5 h + 400°C, 5 h. The influence of the aging temperature (150 and 200°C) on the sample hardness is investigated. It is revealed that it is higher in the case of aging at 200°C, and its maximum is observed under holding for 8?10 h. The HT of the alloy, including solution treatment (330°C, 5h + 400°C, 5 h) with subsequent quenching and aging (200°C, 8 h), made it possible to attain an alloy ultimate strength of 285 ± 13.5 MPa and a elongation of 11.4 ± 1%.