Nanoscale austenite reversion through partitioning,segregation and kinetic freezing: Example of a ductile 2 GPa Fe–Cr–C steel

Austenite reversion during tempering of a Fe–13.6 Cr–0.44 C (wt.%) martensite results in an ultra-high-strength ferritic stainless steel with excellent ductility. The austenite reversion mechanism is coupled to the kinetic freezing of carbon during low-temperature partitioning at the interfaces between martensite and retained austenite and to carbon segregation at martensite–martensite grain boundaries. An advantage of austenite reversion is its scalability, i.e. changing tempering time and temperature tailors the desired strength–ductility profiles (e.g. tempering at 400 °C for 1 min produces a 2 GPa ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and 14% elongation while 30 min at 400 °C results in a UTS of ～1.75 GPa with an elongation of 23%). The austenite reversion process, carbide precipitation and carbon segregation have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron back-scatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography in order to develop the structure–property relationships that control the material’s strength and ductility.     

Effect of Tempering Temperature on the Microstructure and Properties of Fe-2Cr-Mo-0.12C Pressure Vessel Steel

To obtain the high-temperature strength and toughness of the medium–high-temperature–pressure steel, the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Fe-2Cr-Mo-0.12C steel subjected to three different tempering temperatures after being normalized were investigated. The results show that the microstructure of the sample, tempered in the range 675-725 °C for 50 min, did not change dramatically, yet the martensite/austenite constituents decomposed, and the bainite lath merged together and transformed into polygonal ferrite. At the same time, the precipitate size increased with an increase in tempering temperature. With the increase in the tempering temperature from 675 to 725 °C, the impact absorbed energy of the Fe-2Cr-Mo-0.12C steel at ?40 °C increased from 257 to 325 J, and the high-temperature yield strength decreased; however, the high-temperature ultimate tensile strength tempered at 700 °C was outstanding (422-571 MPa) at different tested temperatures. The variations of the properties were attributed to the decomposition of M/A constituents and the coarsening of the precipitates. Fe-2Cr-Mo-0.12C steel normalized at 930 °C and tempered at 700 °C was found to have the best combination of ductility and strength.     

Effect of annealing temperature on microstructural modification and tensile properties in 0.35 C–3.5 Mn–5.8 Al lightweight steel

The microstructural modifications occurring during annealing treatment of an Fe–0.35 C–3.5 Mn–5.8 Al ferrite-based lightweight steel and its effects on the tensile properties were investigated with respect to (α + γ) duplex microstructures. Steels annealed above the dissolution finishing temperature of κ-carbides (795 °C) were basically composed of ferrite band and austenite band in a layered structure. As the annealing temperature was increased the tensile strength increased, while the yield strength and elongation decreased. This could be explained by a decrease in the mechanical as well as thermal stability of austenite with increasing size and austenite volume fraction. In the 980 °C annealed steel in particular, whose mechanical stability due to austenite was lowest, cracks were readily formed at ferrite/austenite (or martensite) interfaces with little deformation, thereby leading to the least tensile elongation. In order to obtain the best combination of strength and ductility the formation of austenite having an appropriate mechanical stability was essentially needed, and could be achieved when 22–24 vol.% fine austenite was homogeneously distributed in the ferrite matrix, as in the 830 °C or 880 °C annealed steels.     

Effects of Pack Rolling Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Powder Metallurgical Ti-45Al-7Nb-0.3W Alloy

Powder metallurgical Ti-45Al-7Nb-0.3W (at.%) alloys were pack rolled at temperatures of 1240°C, 1255°C, 1270°C, and 1285°C. The microstructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy. The tensile properties were tested at room temperature and 800°C. After rolling, the sheets exhibited duplex microstructures with refined grains. The tensile test results showed the sheet rolled at 1270°C displayed excellent room temperature tensile properties with an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 782 MPa and an elongation of 1.95%. When tested at 800°C, all sheets showed UTS of over 600 MPa and elongations of around 50%. The dislocation movements and mechanical twinning played important roles at the initial stage of rolling deformation. However, during the subsequent deformation process, the deformation mechanism should mainly be the result of dynamic recrystallization.     

Effects of Ultra-Fast Cooling After Hot Rolling and Intercritical Treatment on Microstructure and Cryogenic Toughness of 3.5%Ni Steel

A novel process comprised of ultra-fast cooling after control rolling, intercritical quenching and tempering (UFC-LT) was applied to 3.5%Ni steel. In addition, quenching and tempering (QT) treatment was conducted in comparison. The present study focuses on the relationship between the microstructure and cryogenic toughness of 3.5%Ni steel. Results show that the microstructure of steel treated by UFC-LT consisted of tempered martensite, intercritical ferrite and two types of reversed austenite (RA) (needle shape and blocky). Compared to the QT sample, the UFC-LT sample’s ultimate tensile strength decreased slightly, while its elongation increased from 32.3 to 35.7%, and its Charpy absorption energy at ?135 °C increased from 112 to 237 J. The ductile-brittle transition temperature of UFC-LT sample was lower than that of the QT sample by 18 °C. The superior cryogenic toughness after UFC-LT compared to QT treatment can be attributed to the dissolution of cementite, approximately 3.0% increase in RA and the decrease in effective grain size.     

深冷处理最低温度对9%Ni钢力学性能及逆转奥氏体含量的影响

通过实验研究了深冷处理过程中的最低处理温度对9%Ni钢力学性能和逆转奥氏体含量的影响。采用了不同的深冷处理温度和保温时间,并与9%Ni钢新发展起来的热处理工艺淬火、亚稳淬火、回火(QLT)相结合。结果表明,-80℃和-110℃的冷处理对9%Ni钢的力学性能和逆转奥氏体含量没有明显影响。然而,-140℃保温24小时的深冷处理能够提高9%Ni钢的冲击韧性,其机理主要在于深冷处理使得块状的逆转奥氏体转变为条状。此外,-140℃深冷处理通过等温马氏体转变值得逆转奥氏体的含量减少。-196℃保温24小时深冷处理增加了逆转奥氏体的含量,同时细化了二次马氏体板条组织, 从而使得9%Ni钢的室温和低温冲击韧性均得到提高。其机理主要是由于深冷-196℃深冷处理促使了超细碳化物的析出,同时增加了组织内应力,从而为逆转奥氏体在回火过程中的形核提供了更多了形核位置。     

Investigation of the Microstructural Changes and Hardness Variations of Sub-Zero Treated Cr-V Ledeburitic Tool Steel Due to the Tempering Treatment

The microstructure and tempering response of Cr-V ledeburitic steel Vanadis 6 subjected to sub-zero treatment at ??196 °C for 4 h have been examined with reference to the same steel after conventional heat treatment. The obtained experimental results infer that sub-zero treatment significantly reduces the retained austenite amount, makes an overall refinement of microstructure, and induces a significant increase in the number and population density of small globular carbides with a size 100-500 nm. At low tempering temperatures, the transient M₃C-carbides precipitated, whereas their number was enhanced by sub-zero treatment. The presence of chromium-based M₇C₃ precipitates was evidenced after tempering at the temperature of normal secondary hardening; this phase was detected along with the M₃C. Tempering above 470 °C converts almost all the retained austenite in conventionally quenched specimens while the transformation of retained austenite is rather accelerated in sub-zero treated material. As a result of tempering, a decrease in the population density of small globular carbides was recorded; however, the number of these particles retained much higher in sub-zero treated steel. Elevated hardness of sub-zero treated steel can be referred to more completed martensitic transformation and enhanced number of small globular carbides; this state is retained up to a tempering temperature of around 500 °C in certain extent. Correspondingly, lower as-tempered hardness of sub-zero treated steel tempered above 500 °C is referred to much lower contribution of the transformation of retained austenite, and to an expectedly lower amount of precipitated alloy carbides.     

Effect of Thermomechanical Processing on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nb-Ti-V Microalloyed Steel

The paper presents the results of thermomechanical treatment via forging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of newly obtained microalloyed steel containing 0.28% C, 1.41% Mn, 0.027% Nb, 0.028% Ti, and 0.019% V. The investigated steel is assigned to the production of forged elements for the automotive industry. Conditions of forging using the thermomechanical processing method were developed based on plastometric tests. Continuous and double-hit compression tests were conducted using the Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator. The samples were investigated in a temperature range from 900 to 1100 °C and a strain rate of 1 and 10 s^?1. To determine the recrystallization kinetics of plastically deformed austenite, discontinuous compression tests of samples using the applied deformation were conducted in a temperature range from 900 to 1100 °C with isothermal holding of the specimens between successive deformations for 2-100 s. Observations of the microstructures of thin foils were conducted using a TITAN80-300 FEI transmission electron microscope. The applied thermomechanical treatment allows to obtain a fine-grained microstructure of the austenite during hot-working and production of forged parts. These acquire advantageous mechanical properties and guaranteed crack resistance after controlled cooling from the end plastic deformation temperature and successive tempering. Forgings produced using the thermomechanical treatment method, consecutively subjected to tempering in a temperature range from 550 to 650 °C, reveal values of YS_0.2 which equal from 994 to 892 MPa, UTS from 1084 to 958 MPa, KV from 69 to 109 J, KV^?40 from 55 to 83 J, and a hardness ranging from 360 to 300 HBW.     

High temperature tensile properties of hypereutectic Al-25Si based alloy

The high temperature tensile deformation of a hypereutectic Al-25Si based alloy fabricated by spray forming and subsequent hot extrusion was investigated. Tensile tests were conducted at various temperatures and strain rates. It was revealed that the ductility of the alloy is sensitive to both the test temperature and strain rate. At a given strain rate, the peak value of elongation was obtained at 500 °C. At 490 °C and above, the peak value of elongation was observed at a strain rate of 1.0 × 10^-2 s^-1, although the elongation increased with decreasing strain rate at 460 °C and below. The high elongation was exhibited when a high strain rate sensitivity index (m value) was attained and a liquid phase existed during deformation. The liquid phase appeared as a filament-like structure which is aligned with the tensile direction on the fracture surface of the tensile deformed specimen. A higher elongation (>35%) was obtained when the volume fraction of the liquid phase was 0.7%-1.7%. The maximum elongation of 75% was achieved when the volume fraction of the liquid phase was about 1%. The transition of the activation energy was observed at 430 °C when incipient melting occurred.     

Rapid Tempering of Martensitic Stainless Steel AISI420: Microstructure,Mechanical and Corrosion Properties

In this research, the effect of rapid tempering on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel has been investigated. At first, all test specimens were austenitized at 1050 °C for 1 h and tempered at 200 °C for 1 h. Then, the samples were rapidly reheated by a salt bath furnace in a temperature range from 300 to 1050 °C for 2 min and cooled in air. The tensile tests, impact, hardness and electrochemical corrosion were carried out on the reheated samples. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the microstructure and fracture surface. To investigate carbides, transmission electron microscopy and also scanning electron microscopy were used. X-ray diffraction was used for determination of the retained austenite. The results showed that the minimum properties such as the tensile strength, impact energy, hardness and corrosion resistance were obtained at reheating temperature of 700 °C. Semi-continuous carbides in the grain boundaries were seen in this temperature. Secondary hardening phenomenon was occurred at reheating temperature of 500 °C.     

等轴细晶Ti-45Al-7Nb合金的高温机械性能及变形机制

采用粉末冶金法制备了双相等轴细晶Ti-45Al-7Nb（原子分数）合金,研究了该合金在温度为900、950和1000 ℃以及应变速率为1×10^-3、1×10^-4和5×10^-5 s^-1条件下的高温力学性能,并讨论了相应的变形机理。结果表明,在高温或低应变率下,Ti-45Al-7Nb合金的极限拉伸强度逐渐降低,但伸长率显著增加。由于细小晶粒容易实现变形和协调,其伸长率明显高于粗晶粒合金。高温拉伸后,合金在裂缝处形成大量的空洞,并在裂缝前部形成大量垂直于拉伸方向的长裂纹。此外,晶界的滑动、晶粒的孪生和动态再结晶也导致了合金变形,从而提高了微观组织的延展性。     

Annealing and Test Temperature Dependence of Tensile Properties of UNS N04400 Alloy

Effects of annealing and test temperatures on the tensile behavior of UNS N04400 alloy have been examined. The specimens were annealed at 800, 1000, and 1200 °C for 4 h under vacuum in a muffle furnace. Stress-strain curves of the specimens were obtained in the temperature range 25-300 °C using a universal testing machine fitted with a thermostatic chamber. The results indicate that the yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and percentage elongation of the specimens decrease with increase of annealing temperature. By increasing the test temperature, the YS and UTS decrease, whereas the percentage elongation initially decreases with increase of test temperature from 25 to 100 °C and then increases with further increasing the temperature up to 300 °C. The changes in the tensile properties of the alloy are associated with the post-annealing microstructure and modes of fracture.     

Effect of silicon content and annealing temperature on formation of retained austenite and mechanical properties in multi-phase steels

Cold-rolled and annealed ultra-high strength sheet steels with good ductility accompanied by TRIP of retained austenite have received considerable attention in recent years. This paper discusses the effect of silicon content and annealing temperature on the formation of retained austenite and the mechanical properties in Fe-0.34%C-1.7% Mn steels whose structure consists of ferrite, bainite and retained austenite. Silicon inhibited the cementite formation in bainite during isothermal holding and partitioned carbon from bainite to austenite, resulting in an increase in retained austenite content. When the silicon content was increased to 1.0 wt.% or higher, the amount of retained austenite markedly increased leading to good mechanical properties. 0.34%C-1.03%Si-1.7%Mn steel showed a high tensile strength of 1,030 MPa and a total elongation of 34.5% when annealed at 780°C for 5 min followed by isothermal holding at 400°C for 5 min. In this case, the amount of retained austenite was about 25%. The variation in tensile strength-elongation combination had good correlation with that in the amount of retained austenite with both annealing temperature and silicon content. The most retained austenite was obtained in the steel annealed at just above A_C1 temperature. The annealing temperature which gives the most retained austenite was decreased with decreasing the silicon content.     

Effect of Hot Deformation on Texture and Microstructure in Fe-Mn Austenitic Steel During Compression Loading

Hot compression tests of a new high-Mn austenitic steel were carried out at deformation temperatures of 700, 800, 900, and 1000 °C under strain rate of 0.01 s^?1. The hot deformation behavior was investigated by the analyses of flow curves, texture, and deformed microstructures. Microstructures of the deformed specimens and macrotexture were examined using electron backscatter diffraction and x-ray diffraction methods, respectively. The results showed that the flow stress depended strongly on the deformation temperature and decreased by increasing deformation temperature. The microstructural evidence indicated that the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) process of experimental steel was initiated at 800 °C with necklace structure. The volume fraction of DRX grains was considerably increased by increasing deformation temperature to 1000 °C. Texture of the DRX grains tended to become a weak texture and was associated with the formation of Goss and R-Cube components. Meanwhile, martensitic transformation was detected in the hot-deformed austenite. The martensitic transformation was the most difficult in the DRX grains because of the effect of small grain size. The tendency of transformation was decreased after compression at 1000 °C.     

Tempered martensite embrittlement in a 32NiCrMoV125 steel

This study focused on tempered martensite embrittlement in a 32NiCrMoV125 steel through examination of the effects of austenite grain size and tempering temperature on the mechanical properties and fracture morphology of this material. Two different austenite grain sizes were obtained by austenitizing at 870 and 950 °C. After quenching, the specimens were tempered in the temperature range of 200–650 °C. The results obtained in this research indicate that by increasing the tempering temperature, the strength and hardness decrease, but ductility increases. However, impact testing indicated that tempered martensite embrittlement occurred when samples were tempered in the range of 250–400 °C. Fractography revealed intergranular and quasi-cleavage fracture. In summary, increasing the austenite grain size decreased strength, but increased impact toughness, except for samples tempered between 200 and 350 °C.     

Achieving Excellent Strength–Ductility and Impact Toughness Combination by Cyclic Quenching in Medium Mn TRIP-Aided Steel

A novel heat treatment process combined cyclic quenching (CQ) with austenite reversion treatment (ART) is proposed to obtain high strength–ductility and high-impact toughness combination in Fe-0.18C-8.92Mn-3.43Al (in mass%) steel. The process referred as CQ-ART was designed for accomplishing the following objectives: (i) refine the prior austenite grains during cyclic quenching process, (ii) further obtain the refined austenite–ferrite block and (iii) improve the stabilities of retained austenite with Mn/C enrichment during ART process. The outstanding product of tensile strength and total elongation of CQ-ART-treated steels was 41.53 and 37.39 GPa%, respectively, and higher than the ART steel of 27.45 GPa%. The highest Charpy impact toughness of CQ-ART steel can reach to 221 J, which is mainly attributed to the refined grains and discontinuous transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect.     

Phase Composition and Superplastic Behavior of a Wrought AlCoCrCuFeNi High-Entropy Alloy

A cast AlCoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy was multiaxially forged at 950°C to produce a fine homogeneous mixture of grains/particles of four different phases with the average size of ~2.1 μm. The forged alloy exhibited unusual superplastic behavior accompanied by a pronounced softening stage, followed by a steady-state flow stage, during tensile deformation at temperatures of 800°C–1000°C and at strain rates of 10^?4–10^?1 s^?1. Despite the softening stage, no noticeable strain localization was observed and a total elongation of up to 1240% was obtained. A detailed analysis of the phase composition and microstructure of the alloy before and after superplastic deformation was conducted, the strain rate and temperature dependences of the flow stress were determined at different stages of the superplastic deformation, and the relationships between the microstructure and properties were identified and discussed.     

Wear Performance of Cu-Alloyed Austempered Ductile Iron

An investigation was carried out to examine the influence of structural and mechanical properties on wear behavior of austempered ductile iron (ADI). Ductile iron (DI) samples were austenitized at 900 °C for 60 min and subsequently austempered for 60 min at three temperatures: 270, 330, and 380 °C. Microstructures of the as-cast DI and ADIs were characterized using optical and scanning microscopy, respectively. The structural parameters, volume fraction of austenite, carbon content of austenite, and ferrite particle size were determined using x-ray diffraction technique. Mechanical properties including Vicker’s hardness, 0.2% proof strength, ultimate tensile strength, ductility, and strain hardening coefficient were determined. Wear tests were carried out under dry sliding conditions using pin-on-disk machine with a linear speed of 2.4 m/s. Normal load and sliding distance were 45 N and 1.7 × 10⁴ m, respectively. ADI developed at higher austempering temperature has large amounts of austenite, which contribute toward improvement in the wear resistance through stress-induced martensitic transformation, and strain hardening of austenite. Wear rate was found to depend on 0.2% proof strength, ductility, austenite content, and its carbon content. Study of worn surfaces and nature of wear debris revealed that the fine ausferrite structure in ADIs undergoes oxidational wear, but the coarse ausferrite structure undergoes adhesion, delamination, and mild abrasion too.     

Enhanced Strength in Cu-Ag-Zr Alloy by Combination of Cold Working and Aging

In this investigation, the effect of different degree of cold rolling and post-aging treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Cu-3wt.%Ag-0.5wt.%Zr alloy was studied by means of hardness measurement, tensile tests, optical and electron microscopy. The alloy was subjected to cold rolling up to 80% followed by aging in the temperature range of 400-500 °C. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and hardness were found to increase as degree of cold rolling increased, but at the expense of ductility. Aging of cold rolled samples in the studied temperature range has resulted in different combinations of strength and ductility. However, aging of cold rolled samples at 400 °C for 1 h has resulted in a combination of high strength and moderate ductility. A yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 511 and 560 MPa, respectively with a ductility of 12% were achieved for 80% cold rolled and aged (400 °C for 1 h) sample. The high strength achieved after 80% cold rolling and aging is mainly attributed to precipitation of fine silver precipitates.     

Effects of annealing conditions on microstructure and mechanical properties of low carbon, manganese transformation-induced plasticity steel

The effects of annealing conditions on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties have been investigated in low carbon, manganese TRIP (Mn TRIP) steel based on a 0.12C-6Mn-0.5Si-3Al alloy system. The microstructure of cold-rolled sheet subjected to annealing at 760 °C to 800 °C for 30 s to 1800 s consists of a recrystallized ferrite matrix and fine-grained austenite with a phase fraction of 25 % to 35 %. Variation of the annealing conditions remarkably influenced the characteristics of constituent phases and thus affected the tensile strength and elongation. Optimization of microstructural parameters such as grain size and fraction of constituent phases, which control the yield strength, overall work hardening, and the kinetics of strain-induced martensite formation, is thus critical for obtaining an exceptional mechanical balance of the alloy.