Effect of Isothermal Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Al–Low Si TRIP Steel

In this study, the effect of isothermal temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of a high Al–low Si TRIP steel was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron back scattered diffraction, and tensile test. The results show that typical microstructure containing ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite can be obtained when two-stage heat treatment process was utilized. When annealing temperature is 840 °C and austempering temperature is 400 °C, the tensile strength is 542 MPa and the product of strength and elongation is 17,685 MPa%. The morphologies and stability of the retained austenite in low silicon/high aluminum TRIP steel were finally discussed.     

Mechanical Properties and Retained Austenite Stability of High Aluminum TRIP-aided Cold-rolled Steel Sheets

The mechanical properties, microstructure and retained austenite stability of CMnAlSi-TRIP steels were investigated in this paper. The steel sheets were hot-rolled, cold-rolled and heat treated by intercritical annealing and isothermal heat treatment. The microstructure, volume fraction of retained austenite and its carbon concentration were observed by Optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The mechanical properties were obtained through uniaxial tensile test. The results show that the CMnAlSi cold-rolled TRIP-aided steels have good combination of strength and ductility with proper isothermal heat treatment, the retained austenite stability determines incremental strain hardening exponent during strain-induced martensitic transformation, and affected by its volume fraction and carbon content. The retained austenite stability has a good correlation with the combination of strength and ductility.     

Effect of Annealing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrafine-Grained Low-Carbon Medium-Manganese Steel Produced by Heavy Warm Rolling

An ultrafine-grained(UFG) low-carbon medium-manganese steel was fabricated by the heavily warm rolling(HWR) and subsequent quenching, and the effects of annealing temperatures on microstructure and mechanical properties of the UFG HWRed steel were investigated. The results show that the HWRed steel exhibits simultaneous improvements in strength,uniform elongation and work hardening, which is mainly attributed to the refinement of martensitic microstructures. The HWRed steels comprise only a-phase when annealing at lower temperatures below to 550 °C and at higher temperatures above to 700 °C. Whereas, UFG c-austenite is formed by reverse transformation when the HWRed steel was annealed at intermediate temperatures from 550 to 700 °C and the volume fraction increases with increasing annealing temperatures,consequently resulting in a dramatic increase in ductility of the annealed HWRed steels. It was found that the transformed UFG austenite and ferrite remained ～500 nm and ～800 nm in size when the HWRed steel was annealed at 650 and700 °C for 1 h, respectively, showing an excellent thermal stability. Moreover, the HWRed steel annealed at 650 °C exhibits high strength-ductility combinations with a yield strength of 906 MPa, ultimate tensile strength(UTS) of1011 MPa, total elongation(TEL) of 51% and product of strength and elongation(PSE: UTS 9 TEL) of 52 GPa%. It is believed that these excellent comprehensive mechanical properties are closely associated with the UFG austenite formation by reverse transformation and principally attributed to the transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP) effect.     

Effects of Austempering after Hot Deformation on the Mechanical Properties of Hot Rolled Si-Mn TRIP Steel Sheets

Excellent mechanical properties are obtained by austempering after hot deformation without subsequent heat treatment in the present Si-Mn TRIP steel sheets. Isothermal holding time after finishing rolling has affected the mechanical properties of this steel. The results show that the sample exhibits a good combination of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation when it is held at the bainite transformation temperature after hot deformation. The stability of retained austenite increases with an increase of isothermal holding time, and a further increase in the holding duration results in a decrease of it. The tensile strength, total elongation and strength ductility reach the maximum values (774MPa, 33% and 25542MPa% respectively) for this sort of hot rolled Si-Mn TRIP steel using the optimal technology.     

Dynamic stress–strain properties of Ti–Al–V titanium alloys with various element contents

A series of Ti–Al–V titanium alloy bars with nominal composition Ti–7Al–5V ELI,Ti–5Al–3V ELI,commercial Ti–6Al–4V ELI and commercial Ti–6Al–4V were prepared.These alloys were then heat treated to obtain bimodal or equiaxed microstructures with various contents of primary a phase.Dynamic compression properties of the alloys above were studied by split Hopkinson pressure bar system at strain rates from 2,000 to 4,000 s-1.The results show that Ti–6Al–4V alloy with equiaxed primary a(ap)volume fraction of 45 vol%or 67 vol%exhibits good dynamic properties with high dynamic strength and absorbed energy,as well as an acceptable dynamic plasticity.However,all the Ti53ELI specimens and Ti64ELI specimens with ap of 65 vol%were not fractured at a strain rate of4,000 s-1.It appears that the undamaged specimens still have load-bearing capability.Dynamic strength of Ti–Al–V alloy can be improved as the contents of elements Al,V,Fe,and O increase,while dynamic strain is not sensitive to the composition in the appropriate range.The effects of primary alpha volume fraction on the dynamic properties are dependent on the compositions of Ti–Al–V alloys.     

Effect of Isothermal Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High AI-Low Si TRIP Steel

In this study, the effect of isothermal temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of a high Al-low Si TRIP steel was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron back scattered diffraction, and tensile test. The results show that typical microstructure containing ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite can be obtained when two-stage heat treatment process was utilized. When annealing temperature is 840 ℃ and austempering temperature is 400 ℃, the tensile strength is 542 MPa and the product of strength and elongation is 17,685 MPa%. The morphologies and stability of the retained austenite in low silicon/high aluminum TRIP steel were finally discussed.     

Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Low-Alloy,Medium-Carbon Steels After Multiple Tempering

The microstructure and mechanical properties of NiCrMoV-and NiCrSi-alloyed medium-carbon steels were investigated after multiple tempering. After austenitising, the steels were hardened by oil quenching and subsequently double or triple tempered at temperatures from 250 to 500 °C. The samples were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while the mechanical properties were evaluated by Vickers hardness testing, V-notched Charpy impact testing and tensile testing. The results showed that the retained austenite was stable up to 400 °C and the applied multiple tempering below this temperature did not lead to a complete decomposition of retained austenite in both steels. It was also found that the microstructure, hardness and impact toughness varied mainly as a function of tempering temperature,regardless of the number of tempering stages. Moreover, the impact toughness of NiCrMoV steel was rather similar after single/triple tempering at different temperatures, while NiCrSi steel exhibited tempered martensite embrittlement after single/double tempering at 400 °C. The observed difference was mainly attributed to the effect of precipitation behaviour due to the effect of alloying additions in the studied steels.     

EFFECT OF AUSTEMPERING ON TRANSFORMATION INDUCED PLASTICITY OF HOT ROLLED MULTIPHASE STEELS

Effect of austempering on the transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) of hot rolled multiphase steel was investigated. Polygonal ferrite, granular bainite, and a large amount of stabilized retained austenite could be obtained in the hot rolled multiphase steel. Strain induced martensite transformation (SIMT) of retained austenite and TRIP effectively occur under straining owing to austempering after hot rolling, and mechanical properties of the present steel remain at a relatively high constant value for austempering at 400℃. The mechanical properties of the steel exhibited a good combination of tensile strength (791MPa) and total elongation (36%) because the stability of retained austenite is optimal when the steel is held for 20min.     

Precipitation Behavior and Microstructural Evolution of Ferritic Ti–V–Mo Complex Microalloyed Steel

Precipitation behavior of(Ti,V,Mo)C and microstructural evolution of the ferritic Ti–V–Mo complex microalloyed steel were investigated through changing coiling temperature(CT).It is demonstrated that the strength of the Ti–V–Mo microalloyed steel can be ascribed to the combination of grain refinement hardening and precipitation hardening.The variation of hardness(from 318 to 415 HV,then to 327 HV) with CT(from 500 to 600–625 °C,then to 700 °C) was attributed to the changes of volume fraction and particle size of(Ti,V,Mo)C precipitates.The optimum CT was considered as 600–625 °C,at which the maximum hardness value(415 HV) can be obtained.It was found that the atomic ratios of Ti,V and Mo in(Ti,V,Mo)C carbides were changed as the CT increased.The precipitates with the size of \ 10 nm were the V-rich particles at higher CT of 600 and 650 °C,while the Ti-rich particles were observed at lower CT of 500 and 550 °C.Theoretical calculations indicated that the maximum nucleation rate of(Ti,V,Mo)C in ferrite matrix occurred around 630 °C,which was consistent with the 625 °C obtained from experiment results.     

Effect of Cooling Rates in Coiling Process on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties in Al-Bearing Hot-Rolled TRIP Steel

In this study, the effect of cooling rates on microstructures and mechanical properties in a Al-bearing hot-rolled transformation-induced plasticity steel was investigated. The experiments were carried out using hot simulation machine and hot rolling mill, where the samples were cooled at different cooling rates. The results showed that with the increase in cooling rates, film-like retained austenite gradually disappeared and only blocky retained austenite was retained at higher cooling rates. The volume fraction of retained austenite was 9–11% at cooling rates of 0.05–1°C/s and 4–6% at cooling rates of 5–10 °C/s. In addition, martensite/austenite island was observed because of the heterogeneous carbon distribution. The samples cooled at 0.05 °C/s and 0.5 °C/s exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with tensile strengths of 712 MPa and 726 MPa, total elongations of 42% and 36% and strength and ductility balances of 29.91 GPa% and 26.15 GPa%, respectively. During plastic deformation, the instantaneous work hardening exponent of the sample cooled at 0.05 °C/s increased continuously until it reached the maximum value, while the instantaneous work hardening exponent of the sample cooled at 0.5 °C/s remained stable.     

薄板坯连铸连轧Nb-Mo微合金TRIP钢的研究

在试验室模拟薄板坯连铸连轧工艺生产了含Mo、Nb的TRIP钢.拉伸试验检测表明,试验钢的力学性能为σb =915 MPa,σs=780 MPa,δ=16%;试样组织为铁素体+贝氏体+残留奥氏体,X射线衍射分析表明残留奥氏体的含量为5%;透射电镜观察发现,晶内有大量纳米尺度的(Nb,Ti)C,MnS 和(Nb,Ti)C粒子复合析出,残留奥氏体为薄膜状.     

快速加热连续退火对超高强TRIP钢显微组织与力学性能的影响

研究了快速加热连续退火工艺对V微合金化低Si含P系TRIP钢显微组织特征与力学性能的影响.结果表明,快速连续退火过程中,随着退火温度的升高,拉伸强度增加明显,然而为了保证其综合性能,并不能一味地提高其临界退火温度.加热速率80℃/s,退火温度为880℃时,残余奥氏体形态不仅仅局限于细小的块状结构;而且在贝氏体铁素体板条间能观察到大量的薄膜状残余奥氏体.细小、弥散的V（C,N）)分布于铁素体或贝氏体基体中,大部分析出粒子直径在4—9 nm之间,实验钢具有优异的强度与塑性配合:R_m=1010 MPa,R_P0.2=690 MPa,δ=23.6%,n=0.27,r=1.17,强塑积达到23836 MPa.%.退火温度过高或过低,都会减少残余奥氏体的体积分数、改变其形貌并增大其尺寸,导致综合力学性能下降.     

含铌TRIP钢的显微组织和残留奥氏体稳定性分析

研究了含Nb与不含Nb两种冷轧TRIP钢热处理后的显微组织和力学性能,并用X射线衍射法计算了TRIP钢中残留奥氏体含量及残留奥氏体中的碳含量.试验结果表明,TRIP钢中铁素体体积分数随退火温度的升高逐渐减少,在相同热处理工艺下,与不含Nb试样比较,含Nb试样的残留奥氏体中碳含量较高,强塑积较大.残留奥氏体量大约相同时,含Nb试样残留奥氏体更为稳定,综合力学性能也更好.     

Dependency of Deformation Behavior of Retained Austenite in TRIP Steels on Microstructural and Chemical Homogeneity

The room-temperature stability of the retained austenite against strain-induced martensitic transformation, its deformation behavior, the response to the bainitic isothermal treatment, the appearance of yield point elongation and other peculiarities of plastic flow, and the mechanical properties of transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP) steel were tailored based on the chemical homogeneity and the relative distribution of the retained austenite, bainite, and ferrite in the microstructure. The presence of ferritic-pearlitic banded structure in the initial microstructure resulted in an inhomogeneous TRIP microstructure, in which the retained austenite and bainite were confined to some bands and it was found to be responsible for the resultant inferior mechanical properties. The appearance of discontinuous yielding for the chemically inhomogeneous material was related to the martensitic transformation of unstable retained austenite at the initial stage of tensile deformation. These results are essential for better understanding of the behavior of advanced high-strength steels and their applications.     

0.2C-5Mn-1.5Al中锰TRIP钢的显微组织及力学性能

利用相变热力学模拟计算,扫描电镜(SEM),X射线衍射仪(XRD),拉伸试验机等设备系统研究了不同退火工艺下0.2C-5Mn-1.5Al中锰TRIP钢的相变特点及组织性能,通过与不添加Al的0.2C-5Mn中锰TRIP钢进行比较,研究了Al对相变规律及工艺与组织性能的影响规律。结果表明:Al添加提高并扩大了临界区温度范围,使得中锰钢可以选择更高的临界退火温度,这有助于加快奥氏体逆相变过程,缩短退火时间;同时Al的添加促进了C,Mn元素的聚集,有效提高了残留奥氏体含量,增强了变形过程中的TRIP效应;随着退火温度的升高,0.2C-5Mn-1.5Al钢的奥氏体含量及伸长率均表现为先增加后减少的趋势,而屈服强度略微下降,拉伸强度持续增加,在760 ℃退火3 min时获得最佳的力学性能:伸长率为32%,强塑积为35 GPa·%,Al的添加有效提高了0.2C-5Mn中锰TRIP钢的综合力学性能。     

低温处理对3Cr2MoCoWV热锻模具钢性能及组织的影响

探讨了低温处理工艺对3Cr2MoCoWV钢力学性能及微观组织的影响。利用光学显微镜,SEM和TEM分别对3Cr2MoCoWV钢微观组织和下贝氏体-马氏体复合组织中的残留奥氏体分布形态进行了研究,并采用XRD测量了残留奥氏体量。结果表明,低温处理后再进行回火处理,组织中析出了大量弥散细小的ε-碳化物和M2C型碳化物,模具钢的工作温度不超过650℃时,M2C型碳化物可作为钢中的强化相,同时组织中残留的薄膜状残留奥氏体提高了钢的冲击韧性。     

Effect of N on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High Si Martensitic Heat-Resistant Steels

In order to investigate the effect of N on the microstructure and room temperature mechanical properties of new-type high silicon martensitic heat-resistant steels,three steels containing the same total content of C and N but different N contents have been designed and prepared according to the thermo-calc calculation.The thermodynamic calculation and experiments indicate that the replacing of C by N changes the kind and volume fraction of precipitates of the high Si martensitic steel significantly.Along with the N content increasing,the precipitates in the samples after 750 °C tempering change from(Cr23C6? VN ? TaC) to(Cr23C6? VN ? TaC ? TaN) and finally to(Cr23C6? VN ? Cr2N)according to both experimental results and thermodynamic calculations.The room temperature mechanical tests show that the strength of the steel decreases as the N content increases.However,the Charpy impact toughness increases with N content increasing.According to the calculation and SEM observation,it is inferred that the decrease of amount and size of precipitates accounts for the changes of the mechanical properties.     

重压下含铌钛连铸坯碳氮化物析出行为的研究

钢中合金元素的添加会不同程度的形成碳、氮化物进而提高钢材的组织与性能,为研究重压下铸坯析出物的析出行为,本文以规则溶液下亚点阵模型为基础,计算热力学平衡状态下热力学参数。通过热力平衡方程组,得出一定温度下,析出物摩尔分数、亚点阵中不同元素原子分配比,利用能谱分析及透射电镜观察验证这种析出模式。计算结果表明,不同压下制度铸坯中析出物主要为(Nb,Ti)(C,N)析出,尺寸在30～40 nm左右。     

C含量对冷轧Fe-6Mn-1Al中锰钢组织与性能的影响

研究了C含量(质量分数)分别为0.06%、0.15%和0.30%的冷轧中锰钢Fe-6Mn-1Al退火后的组织及室温拉伸后的力学性能变化规律。结果表明,不同C含量的试验钢经660 ℃退火后的组织均为铁素体+奥氏体的双相组织。随着C含量的增加,试验钢中奥氏体的体积分数由19.34%增加到38.70%,且C含量的增加引起了配分到奥氏体中的C、Mn含量的增加,使奥氏体的稳定性得到了提升。C含量较高的试验钢变形过程中的TRIP效应更显著,使试验钢的加工硬化能力得到了提高,获得更好的综合力学性能。C含量从0.06%增加至0.30%,试验钢的强塑积由28.0 GPa·%增加到51.4 GPa·%。