Online prediction and monitoring of mechanical properties of industrial galvanised steel coils using neural networks

In galvanising line of cold rolling mill, mechanical properties, i.e. yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS), are achieved by controlling the key process parameters within specified limits. In this paper, a feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed to predict the mechanical properties of a coil from its chemical composition, thickness, width and key galvanising process parameters. Principal component analysis is used to avoid redundancy and collinearity effects in input variables for the ANN. The model predicted the YS and UTS with an accuracy of ±10?megapascal (MPa) for 90% of the data. The model was implemented in the continuous galvanising line of Tata Steel, India. An online quality monitoring system was developed to monitor the predicted mechanical properties and process parameters of a galvanised coil. This system helps quality team in decision making.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Semi-continuous Equal-channel Angular Extruded Interstitial-free Steel

An innovative method called semi-continuous equal-channel angular extrusion(SC-ECAE)has been developed to produce ultrafine grained steel by inducing severe plastic deformation.In contrast to the external forces that are exerted on specimens in traditional ECAE,the driving forces are applied on the dies in the novel SC-EACE process.Commercial interstitial-free steel sheets with width of 160 mm and thickness of 2 mm were processed repeatedly to various passes at room temperature using this method.The microstructural evolution was characterized using high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD),and the mechanical properties were investigated by tensile testing.The EBSD images indicated that the fraction of high-angle boundaries(HABs)began to increase gradually after four passes;after six passes,elongated HAB structures with nearly submicron-scale average spacings were formed.The tensile testing results showed that strengthening was accompanied by a decrease in tensile ductility,but no significant anisotropy was observed.After 10 passes,a final HAB fraction of about 90% and an overall grain size of 0.55μm,yield strength of 638.7 MPa,an ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of 710.3 MPa,and a total elongation of 12.0% were obtained.     

初始组织对一种Nb-Mo微合金化中锰TRIP钢组织演变与力学性能的影响

研究了热轧后冷却方式和冷轧压下量对一种Nb-Mo微合金化中锰TRIP钢临界退火过程中组织演变与力学性能的综合影响规律.结果表明:当热轧后冷却方式由油淬变为炉冷时,在冷轧压下量一定的条件下,退火组织中长条状铁素体的体积分数增加,且长轴/短轴比增大,而等轴铁素体的晶粒尺寸变化不明显;对于热轧后油淬试样,当冷轧压下量由50%增至75%时,退火组织中长条状铁素体的体积分数减少,铁素体的平均晶粒尺寸由400~500 nm减至300~400 nm.综合分析,增加热轧后的冷却速率,可在较小的冷轧压下量条件下获得一种综合性能良好的超细晶中锰TRIP钢,其性能指标为:屈服强度为976 MPa,抗拉强度为1 165 MPa,延伸率可达34.1%,强塑积接近40 GP·%.     

Effect of nano-SiC content on mechanical properties of SiC/2014Al composites fabricated by powder metallurgy combined with hot extrusion

Nano-SiC particulates (n-SiC_p) reinforced 2014Al matrix composites with different reinforcement volume fractions (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1?vol.-%) were fabricated by powder metallurgy combined with hot extrusion. The effect of volume fraction of n-SiC_p on mechanical properties of composites was studied at both ambient and elevated temperatures. The increase of n-SiC_p content led to an increase in yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and a slight decrease in elongation which is much better than the composites reinforced with micro-SiC_p. The 0.5?vol.-% n-SiC_p/2014Al composite observed the highest YS and UTS of ～378 and ～573?MPa at room temperature and of ～303 and ～409?MPa at 473?K. The enhancement of the properties is suggested to be induced by uniformly dispersed and well-bonded n-SiC_p reinforcements as well as the age-hardening effect of the more and finer precipitates.     

Effect of Intercritical Annealing Parameters on Dual Phase Behavior of Commercial Low-Alloyed Steels

 It is known that dual phase (DP) heat treatments and alloying elements have a strong effect on martensitic transformations and mechanical properties. In the present work, the effects of some intercritical annealing parameters (heating rate, soaking temperature, soaking time, and quench media) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cold rolled DP steel were studied. The microstructure of specimens quenched after each annealing stage, was analyzed using optical microscopy. The tensile properties, determined for specimens submitted to complete annealing cycles, are influenced by the volume fractions of multi phases (originated from martensite, bainite and retained austenite), which depend on annealing processing parameters. The results obtained showed that the yield strength (YS) and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increase with the increasing intercritical temperature and cooling rate. This can be explained by higher martensite volume ratio with the increased volume fraction of austenite formed at the higher temperatures and cooling rates. The experimental data also showed that, for the annealing cycles carried out, higher UTS values than ~ 800 MPa could be obtained with the S3 steel grade.     

Influence of tempering on the microstructure and mechanical properties of HSLA-100 steel plates

The influence of tempering on the microstructure and mechanical properties of HSLA-100 steel (with C-0.04, Mn-0.87, Cu-1.77, Cr-0.58, Mo-0.57, Ni-3.54, and Nb-.038 pct) has been studied. The plate samples were tempered from 300 °C to 700 °C for 1 hour after austenitizing and water quenching. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of the as-quenched steel revealed a predominantly lath martensite structure along with fine precipitates of Cu and Nb(C, N). A very small amount of retained austenite could be seen in the lath boundaries in the quenched condition. Profuse precipitation of Cu could be noticed on tempering at 450 °C, which enhanced the strength of the steel significantly (yield strength (YS)—1168 MPa, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS)—1219 MPa), though at the cost of its notch toughness, which dropped to 37 and 14 J at 25 °C and −85 °C, respectively. The precipitates became considerably coarsened and elongated on tempering at 650 °C, resulting in a phenomenal rise in impact toughness (Charpy V-notch (CVN) of 196 and 149 J, respectively, at 25 °C and −85 °C) at the expense of YS and UTS. The best combination of strength and toughness has been obtained on tempering at 600 °C for 1 hour (YS-1015 MPa and UTS-1068 MPa, with 88 J at −85 °C).     

Effect of Liquid Hot Isostatic Pressing on Structure and Mechanical Properties of a Sand-Cast A356.02 Alloy

The effect of liquid hot isostatic pressing (LHIP) on the structure and mechanical properties of an A356.02 alloy was examined. It was shown that LHIP provides a porosity decrease from ~0.9 to 0.2 pct due to the elimination of shrinkage voids. As a result, the yield stress (YS) increases from 200 to ~230 MPa, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increases from ~275 to 310 MPa, the total elongation increases from ~4 to ~7.5 pct, and the fatigue strength increases from ~88 to ~140 MPa. It was found that the sequence of LHIP and homogenization annealing highly affects the hardness and variability in fatigue strength. LHIP followed by homogenization annealing provides the lowest scattering of fatigue strength and, therefore, the fabrication of the most reliable casting components.     

Nanostructured Ti Consolidated via Spark Plasma Sintering

Cryomilled nanocrystalline commercially pure (CP)-Ti powders were spark plasma sintered (SPS) using different process parameters (heating rate, temperature, pressure, and dwell time) to study densification, microstructure, and mechanical behavior. The results were rationalized on the basis of the relevant literature and experimental results, and they reveal a strong dependence on SPS parameters. An interesting finding was that the measured high ductility was accompanied by a moderate strength (yield strength [YS] = 770 MPa, ultimate tensile strength [UTS] = 840 MPa with ~27 pct elongation to failure). The combinations of microstructure and mechanical response were attributed to the multistep processing at different temperature ranges as well as to the presence of interstitial solutes.     

Data‐Driven Pareto Optimization for Microalloyed Steels Using Genetic Algorithms

A data base was put together for the mechanical properties of microalloyed steels, which contained about 800 entries for ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation. Using an evolutionary neural network, based upon a predator–prey genetic algorithms of bi‐objective type, this information was used to construct data‐driven models for UTS, YS, and elongation. The optimum Pareto tradeoffs between these properties were obtained using a multi‐objective genetic algorithm. The results led to some hitherto unexplored steel compositions with optimum properties. Some such steels were actually cast and the experimentally observed property values were found to be well in accord with the predicted results.     

Mechanical Properties of a Ni–Cr–Mo Steel Subjected to Room Temperature Carburizing Using Surface Mechano-Chemical Carburizing Treatment (SMCT)

Surface mechano-chemical carburizing treatment (SMCT) is a modified version of surface mechanical attrition treatment and it is one of the cutting-edge technologies for producing hard nano-crystalline surface in metallic materials. In the present study, a case carburized surface layer is achieved in 1.75 Ni–Cr–Mo steel at room temperature using SMCT. Activated charcoal powder is continuously fed during the process so as to achieve the carbon diffusion into the surface layer. The SMCT process has been carried out for different periods say 15, 30, 45 and 60 min respectively. The microstructure and surface chemical composition is investigated by using TEM and XRF analysis. The mechanical properties such as yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), fracture toughness and surface hardness of SMCT samples have been investigated using universal testing machine, Plain strain fracture toughness test and Microvickers hardness test respectively. The surface carbon content has been found to increase linearly and grain size reduces continuously with processing time. A 60 min SMCT samples reveal 0.8% C and about 10 nm grains over the surface. The SMCT samples show significant improvement in mechanical properties. The surface hardness increases from 180 HV_0.1 to ~ 878 HV_0.1 by 60 min of treatment. About 55% increment in the YS and 30% increment in UTS is achieved by 60 min of SMCT. It is also interesting to note that the fracture toughness of the samples enhances from 24 to 47 MPa \( \sqrt m \) after 60 min of SMCT.     

Performance Study of Copper-Bearing High Strength Ship-Hull Steel

The variation in microstructures and the mechanical properties of a Copper-bearing high strength ship-hull steel at different aging temperature was studied.The peak strength was obtained at the aging temperature of 450 ℃,which was attribute to the plentiful Cu precipitates and a bit of Nb(C,N).In the over-aged condition,both the partial recovery of matrix and the coarsening of Cu particles (10-60 nm) caused the loss of the yield strength (YS) and the improvement of toughness.The increase of the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) at aging temperature above 660℃ due to the formation of alloy-rich island structure transformed from the austenite phase upon cooling,and complied with the mixture law.The copper-bearing ship steel can exhibit an excellent combination of high strength and toughness while aging at 660 ℃ for 2 hours (UTS-818 MPa,YS-745 MPa,Akv-161 J at-40℃).     

Effects of Route on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Cu-8 Wt Pct Ag Alloy Processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is applied to investigate the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Cu-8 wt pct Ag alloy subjected to one to four passes via four different routes (A, B_A, B_C, and C). It is demonstrated that better mechanical properties, a higher fraction of high-angle boundaries, and a smaller grain size can be obtained most rapidly with route A, whereas the specimen processed by route B_C contains relatively inhomogeneous microstructure and has poor mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile stress (UTS) of the Cu-Ag alloy processed by route B_C saturates after four passes; in contrast, the UTS of the Cu-Ag alloy processed by route A increases continuously in relation to the number of ECAP passes. Based on the experimental results, the strengthening mechanisms of the Cu-8 wt pct Ag alloy processed by different routes as well as the efficiency of different routes in refining the binary alloy are discussed.     

TMCP型Q500qENH特厚耐候桥梁钢板的工业试制

 提出一种低碳微合金MnCuNiCrMo钢,测试了其过冷奥氏体连续冷却相变（CCT）曲线,分别研究未再结晶区变形量、冷却速率对其相变行为的影响。使用厚板坯连铸(CC)—钢板控轧控冷(TMCP)工艺流程,在5m宽厚板工业生产线上成功开发出60mm特厚Q500qENH桥梁钢板。开发钢板的显微组织为细密粒状贝氏体(GB)+针状铁素体(AF)+多边形铁素体(PF);横向室温屈服强度大于560MPa,抗拉强度大于660MPa, 伸长率大于20%;Z向面缩率大于76%;-40℃下纵向Charpy冲击吸收能量(KV2)大于170J;零塑性温度为-85℃。     

Solution Treatment Effects on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-(1 to 13 pct)Si-Mg Cast Alloys

The effects of solution treatment time and Si content and morphology on microstructures and mechanical properties of heat-treated Al-Si-Mg cast alloys were investigated systematically. Five alloys, with Si levels ranging from 1 to 13 pct, were tested in as-cast, T4, and T61 conditions. The eutectic Si was both unmodified and Sr-modified. Results show that the microstructures are affected significantly by alloy composition, eutectic Si morphology, and solution treatment time. Si content has significant effects on ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation as well as a strong influence on solution treatment response. In T61 treatment with different solutionizing times, UTS and YS reach their maximum values in ~1 hour of solutionizing followed by a decrease, then a slight increase, and finally, a plateau close to the maximum level. Elongation of alloys with a high Si content, 7 pct and 13 pct, increases rapidly at solutionizing times of 1 to 2 hours then varies in a wide range, showing improvements in the 4 to 10 hours range. The data indicate that a solution treatment time of ~1 hour is sufficient to achieve maximum strength. The changes in mechanical properties were correlated to changes in microstructure evolution—Mg-Si precipitation, Si particle fragmentation, and microstructure homogenization. Empirical models uniquely relating Si content to UTS and YS are given for T61 heat-treated alloys.     

Aging Effects on Heat Treatment Response and Mechanical Properties of Al-(1 to 13 pct)Si-Mg Cast Alloys

The effects of solution treatment time and Si content and morphology on microstructures and mechanical properties of heat-treated Al-Si-Mg cast alloys were investigated systematically. Five alloys, with Si levels ranging from 1 to 13 pct, were tested in as-cast, T4, and T61 conditions. The eutectic Si was both unmodified and Sr-modified. Results show that the microstructures are affected significantly by alloy composition, eutectic Si morphology, and solution treatment time. Si content has significant effects on ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation as well as a strong influence on solution treatment response. In T61 treatment with different solutionizing times, UTS and YS reach their maximum values in ~1 hour of solutionizing followed by a decrease, then a slight increase, and finally, a plateau close to the maximum level. Elongation of alloys with a high Si content, 7 pct and 13 pct, increases rapidly at solutionizing times of 1 to 2 hours then varies in a wide range, showing improvements in the 4 to 10 hours range. The data indicate that a solution treatment time of ~1 hour is sufficient to achieve maximum strength. The changes in mechanical properties were correlated to changes in microstructure evolution—Mg-Si precipitation, Si particle fragmentation, and microstructure homogenization. Empirical models uniquely relating Si content to UTS and YS are given for T61 heat-treated alloys.     

ZK60合金粉末烧结和热挤压后的组织与性能

采用雾化法制得ZK60合金粉末,并用掺胶法制备ZK60合金棒材,研究热挤压后ZK60合金的微观组织、相组成及力学性能.结果表明:合金粉末主要由α-Mg固溶体构成,呈枝晶与等轴晶混合组织,晶粒尺寸5～10μm;在后续热挤压过程中粉末之间结合良好,晶粒进一步细化,同时合金基体中大量析出MgZn_2球形纳米颗粒;经T5(175℃保温12h)热处理后,析出相密度呈增加趋势.挤压变形后材料的屈服强度(σ_(0.2))、最大抗拉强度(σ_(UTS))和伸长率(δ)分别为286.3MPa、337.7MPa及5.6%;随后T5处理可进一步提高强度((σ_(0.2))=300.1MPa,σ_(UTS)=340.5 MPa),增加塑性(δ=12.3%).     

Structure and properties of rapidly solidified 7075 P/M aluminum alloy modified with nickel and zirconium

Aluminum alloy 7075 was modified by additions of 1.1 wt pct nickel and 0.8 wt pct zirconium, rapidly solidified by ultrasonic gas atomization, canned, cold compacted, hot extruded, and evaluated in terms of structure and properties. Significant improvements in tensile strength (627 MPa YS and 680 MPa UTS) and crack growth rates were realized, along with a decrease in fracture toughness (23.7 MPa√m) while maintaining ductility (10 pct elong.) as compared to nominal I/M 7075 behavior. The stress for 10⁷ cycles fatigue life was greater than 275 MPa, which represents a 73 pct increase over that of I/M 7075. A variety of experiments was performed to evaluate effects on strength, ductility, and on structure. The variables were: powder size distribution, extrusion ratio, extrusion profile, different size fractions from the same lot of powder, and different locations of test bars in the several extrusions. Tensile properties, toughness, and fatigue properties were not importantly influenced by the location of test bars in the cross section or length of rectangular extruded bars. A comparison of mechanical properties from extruded bars prepared from ?53 μm powdersvs 53 to 250 μm powders showed a small loss of ductility and fatigue stress for 10⁷ cycles for the fine powder product. Higher extrusion ratios were beneficial for mechanical properties.     

Effects of Offline Relaxation Quenching on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Newly Designed High Performance Steel

The newly designed high performance tested steel was prepared by the process of vacuum induction furnace smelting and forging.According to the ideas of online relaxation and quenching-intercritical quenching-tempering(QL-T)process,effects of offline relaxation process on microstructure and mechanical properties of the tested steel were investigated.Offline relaxation process was simulated using the MMS-300 thermal simulation testing apparatus and heat treating furnace.The results show that the microstructures are composed of bainite and martensite when the specimens are quenched in the austenite region.Once the specimens are air-cooled into the dual phase region,ferrite and granular bainite start to form.In the relaxation process,fine Nb(C,N)carbonitrides are precipitated first and then grow and coarsen.The microstructure is affected by process and determines mechanical properties.The Vickers hardness and yield strength(YS)first rise then fall when the relaxation temperature drops in austenite region,and then decline dramatically in dual phase region.When the relaxation time is 20s,the tensile strength reaches the peak(1 034MPa),and at that time YS is 872MPa,elongation is 17.7% and Charpy V-notch impact energy is 171 J at -20℃.When the relaxation time increases to 100s,the yield and tensile strengths are 750 and 934MPa respectively,elongation is 18.6% and Charpy V-notch impact energy is 165 J at -20℃.     

矫直工艺对Zr-Sn-Nb系合金管材氢化物取向的影响

核反应堆包壳管的氢化物取向因子会较大程度的影响其力学性能和使用性能。为此,使用6辊精密管材矫直机对?10 mm的Zr-Sn-Nb系合金成品管材进行矫直实验,研究辊缝值、弯曲量及矫直辊角度对其氢化物取向因子的影响。采用X射线衍射技术分析矫直管材的残余应力,采用光学显微镜观察高压釜渗氢试样的氢化物分布,并通过评级软件检测氢化物取向因子(Fn~(40°))。结果表明:辊缝值、弯曲量及矫直辊角度均对矫直后管材的残余应力有显著影响,并且管材氢化物取向因子随着残余应力的增大而增大。当辊缝值≥10 mm,弯曲量≤4.2 mm,矫直辊角度在31.5°～33.5°之间时管材残余正应力≤35.6 MPa,切应力≤37.8 MPa,此时氢化物取向呈周向或接近周向,氢化物取向因子满足技术要求。     

铸态304L奥氏体不锈钢等径角挤压变形的力学性能

 研究了经1~4道次等径角挤压变形(ECAP)后,铸态304L奥氏体不锈钢微观结构的演变,同时测定了ECAP变形后的力学性能。结果表明,经4道次变形后,铸态粗大晶粒破碎形成细小的大角度晶粒,平均晶粒尺寸约202 nm;抗拉强度和屈服强度大大提高(Rp02=1 002 MPa,Rm=1 100 MPa),但均匀塑性变形能力(A＜3%)和加工硬化指数(n=0060)却显著下降。