Effect of nitrogen on tensile flow behaviour of type 316 LN austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

The influence of nitrogen content on the tensile flow behaviour of type 316 LN austenitic stainless steel has been studied. Nitrogen content in the steel has been varied in the range 0·07 to 0·22 wt-%. Tensile tests were carried out over the temperature range of 300–1123 K at a nominal strain rate of 3×10^?3 s^?1. The tensile flow behaviour of the steels has been analysed based on the constitutive equation proposed by Voce. The Voce’s parameters of initial stress (σ_i) and saturation stress (σ_s) were found to increase linearly with increase in nitrogen content at all the test temperatures. Tensile properties of the steels were predicted from Voce constitutive equation parameters.     

Influence of nitrogen on tensile properties of 316LN SS

Abstract

The influence of nitrogen on tensile properties of 316L stainless steels has been studied for nitrogen levels of 0·07, 0·11, 0·14 and 0·22 wt-%. Tensile tests have been carried out at several temperatures in the range 300–1123 K. Nitrogen was found to be beneficial for tensile strength at all the test temperatures. Yield strength and ultimate tensile strength were found to increase linearly with increase in nitrogen content at all the test temperatures. Tensile ductility showed a non-monotonic variation with nitrogen content and test temperature. Equations have been developed to predict yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 316L stainless steel as a function of nitrogen content and tensile test temperature.     

Creep properties and design curves for nitrogen enhanced grade of 316LN stainless steel

Abstract

316L(N) stainless steel (SS) containing 0·02–0·03 wt-% carbon and 0·06–0·08 wt-% nitrogen is the principal material for the high temperature structural components of the prototype fast breeder reactor in India. In order to increase the economic competitiveness of sodium cooled fast reactors (SFRs), there is a strong desire to increase the design life from the current level of 40 years to at least 60 years for the future reactors. As a part of the efforts to develop materials with superior mechanical properties suitable for longer design life, the influence of nitrogen at concentrations higher than 0·07 wt-%, on the high temperature mechanical properties of type 316L(N) SS is being studied. Four heats of 316L(N) SS, containing 0·07, 0·11, 0·14 and 0·22 wt-% nitrogen have been evaluated extensively in terms of their tensile, creep, low cycle fatigue and creep fatigue interaction properties. Based on these studies, the nitrogen content has been optimised at 0·14 wt-%. This nitrogen enhanced grade of steel (NE316LN SS) was found to have significantly better tensile, creep, low cycle fatigue and creep-fatigue properties as compared to the PFBR grade of 316L(N) SS. This paper presents the influence of nitrogen on the creep deformation, damage and fracture behaviour of NE316LN SS. Design of high temperature SFR components is made on the basis of RCC-MR design code. The creep properties of NE316LN SS have been analysed in terms of the procedures for generation of the design code. Time–dependent design curves have been generated.     

Yield strength anomaly and dynamic strain ageing behaviour of recently developed advanced ultra-supercritical boiler grade wrought Ni-based superalloy IN 740H

The yield strength anomaly (YSA) and dynamic strain ageing (DSA) behaviour of advanced ultra-supercritical boiler grade wrought nickel-based superalloy IN 740H is studied by conducting tensile tests in temperature range 28–930°C and by employing strain rates 1 × 10^?2, 1 × 10^?3, 1 × 10^?4 and 1 × 10^?5 s^?1 followed by extensive electron microscopic examination. Increase in yield strength accompanied by impairment of ductility indicates that YSA exists in alloy IN 740H in temperature range of 650–760°C. The electron microscopic observation confirms that YSA is due to pinning of dislocations by γ′ precipitates and shearing of γ′ precipitates in IN 740H. DSA is observed in the temperature range of 200–500°C and is predominant at 300°C. The nature of serrated plastic flow due to DSA is dependent on the temperature and strain rate.     

Material modelling for dynamic strain ageing phenomenon of alloy 20MnMoNi55

Dynamic strain ageing (DSA) is observed in the tensile behaviour of 20MnMoNi55. The DSA phenomenon contributes extra hardening for a certain combination of straining rate and temperature. At temperature ranging from 200°C to 400°C and a straining rate of 10^?4–10^?2?s^?1, alloy 20MnMoNi55 exhibits DSA. In the present work, DSA stresses are calibrated as a function of strain, strain-rate and temperature. Modification of the Johnson–Cook material model by incorporating DSA has been attempted. The modified flow stress model is used in finite element computation to simulate the material behaviour for a wide range of temperature and strain-rates including the DSA regime. The simulated results are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Influence of deformation induced ferrite,grain boundary sliding,and dynamic recrystallisation on hot ductility of 0·1–0·75%C steels

Abstract

The influence of C on hot ductility in the temperature range 600–1000°C has been examined for three C contents (0·1, 0·4, and 0·75 wt-%). Using a strain rate of 3 × 10^?3 s^?1, tensile specimens were heated to 1330°C before cooling to the test temperature. For the 0·4%C steel, two further strain rates of 3 × 10^?2 and 3 × 10^?4 s^?1 were examined. At the strain rate of 3 × 10^?3 s^?1, increasing the C content shifted the low ductility trough to lower temperatures in accordance with the trough being controlled by the γ–α transformation. Thin films of the softer deformation induced ferrite formed around the γ grain boundaries and allowed strain concentration to occur. Recovery to higher ductility at high temperatures occurred when these films could no longer form (i.e. above Ae₃) and dynamic recrystallisation was possible. The thin films of deformation induced ferrite suppressed dynamic recrystallisation in these coarse grained steels when tested at low strain rates. Recovery of ductility at the low temperature side of the trough in the 0·1%C steel corresponded to the presence of a large volume fraction of ferrite, this being the more ductile phase. For the 0·4%C steel decreasing the strain rate to 3 × 10^?4 s^?1 resulted in a very wide trough – extended to both higher and lower temperatures compared with the other strain rates. The high temperature extension was due to grain boundary sliding in the γ. Recovery of the ductility only occurred when dynamic recrystallisation was possible and this occurred at high temperatures. At the low temperature end, thin films of deformation induced ferrite were present and recovery did not occur until the temperature was sufficiently low to prevent strain concentration from occurring at the boundaries. Of the two intergranular modes of failure grain boundary sliding produced superior ductility. At the higher strain rates there was less grain boundary sliding, which led to a lower temperature for dynamic recrystallisation. Higher strain rates also increased the rate of work hardening of deformation induced ferrite, reducing the strain concentration at the boundaries. Ductility started to recover immediately below Ae₃, resulting in very narrow troughs. Finally, it was shown that the 2% strain that occurs during the straightening operation in continuous casting is sufficient to form deformation induced ferrite in steel containing 0·1%C.

MST/1809     

Serrated yielding in Nb–V dual phase steel

Abstract

The characteristics of serrated yielding (the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect) in a Nb–V dual phase steel have been studied in the temperature range 85–210°C at strain rates between 1·2 × 10^?5 and 1·2 × 10^?2 s^?1. Serrated yielding was found to initiate only after a critical strain ?_c was reached. The strain between two successive serrations ??_s increases almost linearly with strain, while the stress drop ?σ_c increases with strain up to ?σ_max, then decreases. The exponent β in the mobile dislocation density–plastic strain relationship (ρ_m= ?^β) is 1·09 in the temperature range 85–140°C and 1·34 in the temperature range 140–210°C. The results also indicate that in the same temperature ranges there are two values of activation energy for type A serrations, i.e. 79 and 119 kJ mol^?1 respectively. The results are discussed in terms of substitutional–interstitial solute atom interaction and changes of concentration of interstitial atoms.

MST/934     

Effect of grain size and indium addition on tensile characteristics of Al–1Si alloy

Abstract

The effect of grain size and indium addition on the workhardening characteristics of Al–1Si (wt-%) alloy has been investigated at room temperature (RT). The samples were preaged at different temperatures in the range 523–623 K. The yield stress, the fracture stress, the fracture time and the linear workhardening coefficient generally decreased with increasing temperature and/or grain size, while the fracture strain and dislocation slip distance increased. The yield and fracture stresses for different grain sizes at different temperatures were found to be linearly related to grain diameters. Indium addition caused general increase for all the measured strength parameters. As concluded from transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigations, In addition to Al–Si alloy may retard the coarsening of Si particles. The energies activating the operating fracture mechanisms were found to be 79·6±0·4 and 32·4±0·4 kJ mol^?1 for alloys Al–1Si and Al–1Si–0·2In respectively. This suggests a value of 47·2 kJ mol^?1 as a binding energy between Si and In atoms in Al matrix.     

Effects of carbon content on mechanical properties of 5%Mn steels exhibiting transformation induced plasticity

Abstract

A series of highly ductile, high strength steels exhibiting transformation induced plasticity due to retained austenite was developed by varying the carbon content in the range 0·01–0·4 wt-% in 5 wt-%Mn based steel. For up to 0·l%C the mechanical properties are insensitive to cooling rate after intercritical heating, but afurther increase in carbon content causes a large sensitivity to the cooling rate, owing to carbide precipitation occurring during slow cooling. By suppressing this carbide precipitation with water quenching after the intercritical holding, an excellent combination of tensile strength (1580 MN m^?2) and uniform elongation (21%) was attained at 0·3%C in this series.

MST/1964     

Effect of nitrogen on the dynamic strain ageing behaviour of type 316L stainless steel

The dynamic strain ageing (DSA) behaviours of type 316L stainless steels containing different nitrogen contents (0.01–0.15 wt% N) were studied in tension under varying strain rates (1 × 10^–2–2 × 10^–4s^–1) and the test temperatures (R.T.–1023 K). The temperature range for DSA was moved to higher temperature for increasing nitrogen contents. The critical strain, _c for the onset of serration increased with nitrogen content at 773 K and then became almost constant at 873 K. Type A and B serrations were observed at 873 K with the value of the strain required to effect the transition from type A to type B serration increasing for nitrogen contents upto 0.1 wt% and then becoming saturated. The activation energy for DSA was 23.4–26.2 kcal mol^–1 (97.8–109.5 kJ mol^–1) at the onset and 65.0–76.6 kcal mol^–1 (271–320.2 kJ mol^–1) at the end of serration. The lower activation energy was related to vacancy diffusion and the higher activation energy was attributed to the diffusion of chromium to dislocations. The activation energy for DSA was slightly increased with nitrogen addition. DSA was retarded by an increase in the nitrogen content since nitrogen reduced the chromium diffusion to dislocations due to a strong interaction between the nitrogen and chromium.     

Dynamic recrystallisation during hot working of Zr–2·5Nb: characterisation using processing maps

Abstract

The characteristics of the hot deformation of Zr–2·5Nb (wt-%) in the temperature range 650–950°C and in the strain rate range 0·001–100 s^?1 have been studied using hot compression testing. Two different preform microstructures: equiaxed (α+β) and β transformed, have been investigated. For this study, the approach of processing maps has been adopted and their interpretation carried out using the dynamic materials model. The efficiency of power dissipation given by [2m/(m+1)], where m is the strain rate sensitivity, is plotted as a function of temperature and strain rate to obtain a processing map. A domain of dynamic recrystallisation has been identified in the maps of equiaxed (α+β) and β transformed preforms. In the case of equiaxed (α+β), the stress–strain curves are steady state and the dynamic recrystallisation domain in the map occurs with a peak efficiency of 45% at 850°C and 0·001 s^?1. On the other hand, the β transformed preform exhibits stress–strain curves with continuous flow softening. The corresponding processing map shows a domain of dynamic recrystallisation occurring by the shearing of α platelets followed by globularisation with a peak efficiency of 54% at 750°C and 0·001 s^?1. The characteristics of dynamic recrystallisation are analysed on the basis of a simple model which considers the rates of nucleation and growth of recrystallised grains. Calculations show that these two rates are nearly equal and that the nucleation of dynamic recrystallisation is essentially controlled by mechanical recovery involving the cross-slip of screw dislocations. Analysis of flow instabilities using a continuum criterion revealed that Zr–2·5Nb exhibits flow localisation at temperatures lower than 700°C and strain rates higher than 1 s^?1.

MST/3103     

Serrated yielding in 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steel

Abstract

Tensile tests were performed on specimens in quenched and tempered and thermally aged conditions over a wide temperature range (300–873 K) to assess the occurrence of serrated flow, a manifestation of dynamic strain aging (DSA), in 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steel, with an emphasis on the influence of prior thermal aging on serrated yielding. The alloy exhibited jerky/serrated flow in the load–elongation curves at intermediate temperatures. Types A, B, and C serrations were observed, depending on the test temperature and applied strain rate. The apparent activation energy of 83 kJ mol^-1 measured for serrated flow suggests that diffusion of an interstitial solute such as carbon is responsible for dynamic strain aging in 9Cr–1Mo steel. Prior thermal aging at 793 K for 5000 h and at 873 K for 1000 and 5000 h resulted in a significant decrease in the height of serrations, i.e. the magnitude of the stress drop, as well as an increase in the critical strain for the onset of serrations. Both of these observations indicate reduced propensity to DSA as a result of increased precipitate sinks as well as a reduced carbon concentration in solid solution owing to an increased density of carbides in the thermally aged conditions. Reduced propensity to DSA resulted in a significant reduction in the strength values at intermediate temperatures.     

Influence of titanium and nitrogen on hot ductility of C–Mn–Nb–Al steels

Abstract

The influence of small additions of titanium on the hot ductility of C–Mn–Nb–Al steels has been examined. Titanium and nitrogen levels varied in the ranges 0·014–0·045 and 0·004–0·011 wt-%, respectively, so that a wide range of Ti/N ratios could be studied. The tensile specimens were cast and cooled at average cooling rates of 25, 100, and 200 K min^-1 to test temperatures in the range 1100–800°C and strained to failure at a strain rate of 2 × 10^-3 s^-1. It was found that ductility in the titanium containing niobium steels improved with a decrease in the cooling rate, an increase in the size of the titanium containing precipitates, and a decrease in the volume fraction of precipitates. Coarser particles could be obtained by increasing the Ti/N ratio above the stoichiometric ratio for TiN and by testing at higher temperatures. However, ductility was generally poor for these titanium containing steels and it was equally poor when niobium was either present or absent. For steels with ～0·005 wt-%N ductility was very poor at the stoichiometric Ti/N ratio of 3·4 : 1. Ductility was better at the higher Ti/N ratios but only two of the titanium containing niobium steels gave better ductility than the titanium free niobium containing steels and then only at temperatures below about 950–900°C. One of these steels had the lowest titanium addition (0·014 wt-%), thus limiting the volume fraction of fine Ti containing particles and the other had the highest Ti/N ratio of 8 : 1. However, even for these two steels ductility was worse than for the titanium free steels in the higher temperature range. The commercial implications of these results are discussed.     

Temperature and strain rate effect on tensile properties of 9Cr–1·8W–0·5Mo–VNb steel

Abstract

Tensile tests have been carried out on 9Cr–1·8W–0·5Mo–VNb steel (grade 92) over wide ranges of temperature (300–923 K) and strain rate (3×10^?3–3×10^?5 s^?1). The tensile strength of the steel decreased slowly with temperature at relatively lower temperature range, whereas rapidly in the higher temperature range with a plateau in the intermediate temperature range. The decrease in strain rate decreased the tensile strength of the steel both at lower and higher temperature ranges. Elongation to fracture and reduction in area increased with increase in temperatures and decrease in strain rate at higher temperature regime with a plateau in the intermediate temperature regime. The ductile mode of tensile failure has been observed in the investigated temperatures and strain rates. The plateau in the variation of tensile strength with temperature, the negative strain rate sensitivity of tensile strength and minimum in ductility of the steel in the intermediate temperature range are considered as a consequence of dynamic strain ageing. The rapid decrease in tensile strengths and increase in ductility at high temperatures have been attributed to the dynamic recovery.     

Study on dynamic strain aging phenomenon of 3004 aluminum alloy

3004 Aluminum alloy has been subjected to tension test at a range of strain rates (5.56 × 10⁻⁵ to 5.56 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹) and temperatures (233–573 K) to investigate the effect of temperature and strain rate on its mechanical properties. The serrated flow phenomenon is associated with dynamic strain aging (DSA) and yield a negative strain rate dependence of the flow stress. In the serrated yielding temperature region a critical transition temperature, T_t, was found. The critical plastic strain for the onset of serrations has a negative or positive temperature coefficient within the temperature region lower or higher than T_t. According to the activation energy, it is believed that the process at the temperature region lower than T_t is controlled by the interaction between Mg solute atom atmosphere and the moving dislocation. In the positive coefficient region, however, the aggregation of Mg atoms and precipitation of second phase decrease the effective amount of Mg atoms in solid solution and lead to the appearance of a positive temperature coefficient of the critical plastic strain for the onset of serrations.     

Austenite–ferrite transformation in enhanced niobium,low carbon steel

The austenite to ferrite transformation characteristics of a commercial high strength line pipe steel containing 0·05 wt-% carbon and 0·095 wt-% niobium have been rigorously studied by continuous cooling experiments in the range between 960 and 1260°C. A significant delay in the austenite to allotriomorphic ferrite transformation has been demonstrated to occur under practically relevant thermal processing conditions. The effects of prior austenite grain size and soluble niobium have been carefully evaluated and isolated and it has been concluded that the amount of niobium in solution in the austenite is primarily responsible for the retardation. Alternative hypotheses to explain the mechanism whereby niobium exerts this effect on the hardenability of steel are discussed in detail. Soluble niobium reducing the austenite grain boundary energy is argued to be the most convincing explanation of the phenomenon and a reduction of grain boundary energy of 0·286 J m^?2 per wt-% of soluble niobium content has been proposed.     

Effect of thermomechanical processing on superplasticity in Ti–Al–Mo–Zr alloy

Abstract

Superplasticity in terms of total tensile elongation was studied in a titanium alloy of nominal composition Ti–6·5Al–3·3Mo–1·6Zr (wt-%) for three strain rates (1·04 × 10^?3, 2·1 × 10^?3, and 4·2 × 10^?3s^?1) and in the temperature range 1123–1223 K for microstructures obtained by different processing schedules. Fine equiaxed microstructure with a low aspect ratio of 1·15 was accomplished in this alloy by combining two types of deformation. While the first step consists of heavy deformations for refining and intermixing the phases, a second step, consisting of light homogeneous reductions in several stages, was necessary to remove the banding that developed during the first step. The resulting microstructure underwent enormous tensile elongation (1700–1725%), even under relatively high strain rates (1·04 × 10^?3 and 2·1 × 10^?3s^?1), making this alloy most suitable for commercial superplastic forming. The present investigation also revealed that the usual sheet rolling practice of heavy reductions to refine the microstructure leads to localised banding which could not be removed by annealing; therefore, the tensile elongation was limited to 770% only. The reason for this may be attributed to the resistance in grain boundary sliding and rotation encountered in microstructures with shear bands and grains with high aspect ratio. Strain enhanced grain growth was also greater in these microstructures.

MST/555     

Characteristics of serrated flow in commercial Cu–Be–Co alloy

Abstract

Serrated yielding in a Cu–l·8Be–0·3Co (wt-%) alloy has been studied as a function of strain rate and temperature. Serration characteristics, e.g. type, stress drop δσ, frequency ν, vacancy concentrations–strain exponent m, mobile dislocation density–strain exponent β, and activation energy Q_m for serrated yielding, have been determined. Strain rate sensitivity of flow stress δσ/? ln ? and activation volume V parameters have also been derived through strain rate change tests. The results have been interpreted in the light of the static strain aging model of the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect.

MST/540     

The influence of dynamic strain aging on fatigue and creep-fatigue characterization of nickel-base solid solution strengthened alloys

Abstract

The nickel-base solid solution alloys, Alloy 617 and Alloy 230, have been observed to exhibit serrated yielding or dynamic strain aging (DSA) in a temperature/strain rate regime of interest for intermediate heat exchangers (IHX) of high temperature nuclear reactors. At 800°C, these nickel-base alloys are prone to large serrated yielding events at relatively low strains. The presence of DSA introduces challenges in characterizing the creep-fatigue and low cycle fatigue behaviour. These challenges include inability to control the target strains as a result of DSA induced strain excursions and distorted hysteresis loops. Methods to eliminate or reduce the influence of DSA on creep-fatigue testing have been investigated, including varying the strain rate, stepping to the target strain, and adjusting servo-hydraulic tuning parameters. It has not been possible to eliminate the impact of serrated flow in the temperature range of interest for these alloys without compromising the desired test protocols.     

Effect of telmperature and strain rate on tensile behaviour of M250 maraging steel

Abstract

The effect of temperature and strain rate on the 0·2% yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and percentage elongation of M250 maraging steel was investigated under uniaxial tensile conditions in the temperature range from 25 (room temperature) to 550°C and strain rate range 10^?4–10^?1 S^?l. Up to 400°C the steel shows essentially strain rate insensitive behaviour with a gradual decrease in the 0·2% yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. The elongation remains constant at all strain rates up to 300°C. Fractographic analysis indicates that the increasing strain rate induces strain constraint resulting in an increased dimple size. An elongated structure was observed at temperatures above 400°C. X-ray diffraction reveals the presence of reverted austenite in the specimens tested at 550°C.

MST/3263