On the influence of interactions between phases on the mechanical stability of retained austenite in transformation-induced plasticity multiphase steels

The mechanical stability of dispersed retained austenite, i.e., the resistance of this austenite to mechanically induced martensitic transformation, was characterized at room temperature on two steels which differed by their silicon content. The steels had been heat treated in such a way that each specimen presented the same initial volume fraction of austenite and the same austenite grain size. Nevertheless, depending on the specimen, the retained austenite contained different amounts of carbon and was surrounded by different phases. Measurements of the variation of the volume fraction of untransformed austenite as a function of uniaxial plastic strain revealed that, besides the carbon content of retained austenite, the strength of the other phases surrounding austenite grains also influences the austenite resistance to martensitic transformation. The presence of thermal martensite together with the silicon solid-solution strengthening of the intercritical ferrite matrix can “shield” austenite from the externally applied load. As a consequence, the increase of the mechanical stability of retained austenite is not solely related to the decrease of the M _s temperature induced by carbon enrichment.     

Probing the Characteristic Deformation Behaviors of Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steels

The characteristic micromechanical behaviors of contrasting transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels were investigated under tensile loading by in-situ neutron diffraction and transmission electron microscopy in detail. As demonstrated by the lattice strain development from the neutron diffraction, in the TRIP steel with ∼10 pct RA, microyielding of soft ferrite was responsible for the first stress partition, but a second stress sharing was caused by effective martensitic transformation. In the TRIP steel with less than 5 pct RA, where the contribution from the martensitic transformation was minor, stress partition took place virtually between the ferrite and bainite phase. Probing with systematic transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations, we pin down the inherent correlation between the microstructural evolutions and the stress partition mechanism. Based on the experimental observations, the factors influencing the work-hardening behavior of TRIP steels are discussed. This article is based on a presentation given in the symposium entitled “Neutron and X-Ray Studies for Probing Materials Behavior,” which occurred during the TMS Spring Meeting in New Orleans, LA, March 9–13, 2008, under the auspices of the National Science Foundation, TMS, the TMS Structural Materials Division, and the TMS Advanced Characterization, Testing, and Simulation Committee.     

Continuous cooling transformation diagrams applicable to the heat-affected zone of HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels

Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams for HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steels pertaining to fusion welding with heat inputs of 10 to 40 kJ/cm, and peak temperatures of 1000 °C to 1400 °C have been developed. The corresponding nonlinear cooling profiles and related γ → α phase transformation start and finish temperatures for various peak temperature conditions have been taken into account. The martensite start (M _s ) temperature for each of the grades and ambient temperature microstructures were considered for mapping the CCT diagrams. The austenite condition and cooling rate are found to influence the phase transformation temperatures, transformation kinetics, and morphology of the transformed products. In the fine-grain heat-affected zone (FGHAZ) of HSLA-80 steel, the transformation during cooling begins at temperatures of 550 °C to 560 °C, and in the HSLA-100 steel at 470 °C to 490 °C. In comparison, the transformation temperature is lower by 120 °C and 30 °C in the coarse-grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of HSLA-80 steel and HSLA-100 steel, respectively. At these temperatures, acicular ferrite (AF) and lath martensite (LM) phases are formed. While the FGHAZ contains a greater proportion of acicular ferrite, the CGHAZ has a higher volume fraction of LM. Cooling profiles from the same peak temperature influence the transformation kinetics with slower cooling rates producing a higher volume fraction of acicular ferrite at the expense of LM. The CCT diagrams produced can predict the microstructure of the entire HAZ and have overcome the limitations of the conventional CCT diagrams, primarily with respect to the CGHAZ.     

Development of high strength low alloy TRIP‐aided steels with annealed martensite matrix

Formable high‐strength low‐alloy TRIP‐aided sheet steels with annealed martensite matrix or TRIP‐aided annealed martensitic steel were developed for automotive applications. The steels possessed a large amount of plate‐like retained austenite along annealed martensite lath boundary, the stability of which against the strain‐induced transformation was higher than that of the conventional TRIP‐aided dual‐phase steel with polygonal ferrite matrix. In a tensile strength range between 600 and 1000 MPa, the TRIP‐aided annealed martensitic steels exhibited superior large elongation and reduction of area. In addition, the steels possessed the same excellent stretch‐flangeability and bendability as TRIP‐aided bainitic steel with bainitic ferrite matrix. These properties were discussed by matrix structure, a strength ratio of second phase to matrix, retained austenite stability, internal stress in matrix and so on.     

硅质量分数对CSP生产DP600相变规律及工艺的影响

基于C Si Mn Cr Mo系600 MPa级热轧双相钢的组分,设计了不同硅质量分数(0.55%和1.17%)的两种试验钢。采用Gleeble 3500热模拟试验机测定了两种试验钢的连续冷却转变曲线,分析了硅质量分数对试验钢连续冷却过程中组织转变的影响,并研究了硅质量分数对短流程生产中温卷取型热轧双相钢生产工艺的影响。结果表明,相对于w(Si)=1.17%,w(Si)=0.55%使铁素体开始转变温度降低40~50 ℃,明显缩短了铁素体转变的孕育期,并增加了铁素体的体积分数。在CSP线上生产时,低硅钢的终轧温度可控制为820~830 ℃,低的终轧温度使铁素体相变时间增加2.2 s左右,铁素体转变量增加,且后续相变过程中可避免非马氏体组织的出现。因此,低硅钢适合在CSP短流程线上生产中温卷取型热轧双相钢。     

Diffusion in growth of bainite

Edgewise growth rates for Widmanstätten ferrite and bainite in low alloy steels can be represented with an empirical equation showing proportionality to the square of the supersaturation of the austenite. The proportionality constant has a value in reasonable agreement with the assumption of rate control by carbon diffusion. The growth rates are too low to give a noticeable supersaturation of carbon in the growing ferrite. The experimentalB _s for low alloy steels does not seem to be related to theT _s line, nor doesBs evaluated from the incomplete transformation to bainite for an alloy steel. By assuming rate control by carbon diffusion, the empirical equation can be used to calculate the growth rate under paraequilibrium or no partition, local equilibrium (NPLE) conditions. Experimental growth rates for a similar steel falls in-between. The fact that paraequilibrium does not seem to apply is taken as an indication that the α/γ interface for Widmanstätten ferrite and bainite is not of a purely martensitic type.     

Effects of austenite grain size and cooling rate on Widmanstätten ferrite formation in low-alloy steels

Deformation dilatometry is used to simulate the hot rolling of 0.20 pct C-1.10 pct Mn steels over a product thickness range of 6 to 170 mm. In addition to a base steel, steels with additions of 0.02 pct Ti, 0.06 pct V, or 0.02 pct Nb are included in the study. The transformation behavior of each steel is explored for three different austenite grain sizes, nominally 30, 55, and 100 μm. In general, the volume fraction of Widmanst?tten ferrite increases in all four steels with increasing austenite grain size and cooling rate, with austenite grain size having the more significant effect. The Nb steel has the lowest transformation temperature range and the greatest propensity for Widmanst?tten ferrite formation, while the amount of Widmanst?tten ferrite is minimized in the Ti steel (as a result of intragranular nucleation of polygonal ferrite on coarse TiN particles). The data emphasize the importance of a refined austenite grain size in minimizing the formation of a coarse Widmanst?tten structure. With a sufficiently fine prior austenite grain size (e.g., ≤30 μm), significant amounts of Widmanst?tten structure can be avoided, even in a Nb-alloyed steel.     

等温淬火温度对超细贝氏体钢组织及耐磨性的影响

设计了一种0.7C的低合金超细贝氏体钢,并通过膨胀仪、二体磨损实验、光学显微镜、扫描电镜、X射线衍射、激光扫描共聚焦显微镜及能谱仪,研究了不同等温淬火温度对超细贝氏体钢的贝氏体相变动力学、微观组织以及干滑动摩擦耐磨性的影响,揭示超细贝氏体钢在二体磨损条件下的耐磨性能和磨损机理.研究结果表明,不同等温温度下的超细贝氏体钢都由片层状贝氏体铁素体和薄膜状以及块状的残留奥氏体组成;随着等温温度的升高,超细贝氏体的相变速率提高,相变孕育期及相变完成时间缩短,但贝氏体铁素体板条厚度增加,残留奥氏体含量增加,硬度值有所降低;超细贝氏体钢磨损面形貌以平直的犁沟为主,主要的磨损机理为显微切削;不同等温温度下所获得的超细贝氏体的耐磨性能都优于回火马氏体,且随着等温温度的降低,耐磨性能提高.其中在250℃等温所获得的超细贝氏体钢具有最优的耐磨性能,其相对耐磨性为回火马氏体的1.28倍.这主要与超细贝氏体钢中贝氏体铁素体板条的细化及磨损过程中残留奥氏体的形变诱导马氏体相变（TRIP）效应有关.      

Anisotropy of Retained Austenite Stability during Transformation to Martensite in a TRIP‐Assisted Steel

Retained austenite as a key constituent in final microstructure plays an important role in TRansformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels. The volume fraction, carbon concentration, size, and morphology of this phase are the well‐known parameters which effects on the rate of transformation of retained austenite to martensite and the properties of steel, are studied by many researchers. Of the transformation of retained austenite to martensite under strain in a TRIP steel is studied in this paper. The experimental results show that the transformation rate of retained, austenite with similar characteristics, to martensite in differently processed TRIP steel samples, exhibits an anisotropic behavior. This phenomenon implies a kind of variant selection of martensitic reaction of retained austenite under strain and is explained by ferrite texture developed in steel.     

Pearlitic Transformations in an Ultrafine-Grained Hypereutectoid Steel

Common steels of both hypo- and hypereutectoid compositions form pearlitic or martensitic constituents when cooled from austenite temperature in air or in water. Here, we provide evidence that this is not the case in an ultrafine-grained hypereutectoid steel. In this system, when the grain size was reduced to a scale of 2 to 4 μm, normal pearlite could not be obtained when the steel was cooled in air; instead, nanometer-sized granular cementite and ferrite were formed in the eutectoid transformation. When the cooling rate was increased by quenching in saltwater, martensite was no longer formed; instead, fine lamellar pearlite was formed. This research indicates that these abnormal phase transformations were related to the rapid diffusion present in the ultrafine-grained steel, which changed the diffusive transformations.     

Phase transformation behaviour in two C–Mn–Si based steels under different cooling rates

Abstract

The continuous cooling transformation (CCT) behaviour of two C–Mn–Si based steels was investigated. The effects of chemical composition and cooling rate on γ→α transformation were studied using dilatometric measurements. Quantitative phase analysis was carried out in order to determine the effect of cooling rate on the precise phase distribution after transformation. Presence of Cr and Mo in the experimental steels appears to retard pearlitic transformation and promotes formation of acicular products (combination of acicular ferrite, Widmanstatten ferrite and bainite). Martensitic transformation also starts at a perceptibly lower cooling rate in the Mo containing alloy as compared with the one without any Mo.     

Microstructure characteristics of 12Cr ferritic/martensitic steels with various yttrium additions

12Cr ferritic/martensitic steels with 0, 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt% and 0.3 wt% theoretical yttrium (Y) additions were fabricated by vacuum inducting melting and casting method. Solubilities of Y in the 12Cr steels are 0.027, 0.078 and 0.17 for 12Cr-0.1Y, 12Cr-0.2Y and 12Cr-0.3Y, respectively. Phase transformations and microstructure characteristics under different heat-treatment schedules were investigated. The starting temperature of ferrite-to-austenite transformation A_c1 are maintained about 850 °C, but the finishing temperature of ferrite-to-austenite transformation A_c3 are about 950, 970, 980 and 1000 °C for 12Cr-0Y, 12Cr-0.1Y, 12Cr-0.2Y and 12Cr-0.3Y, respectively, which indicates that A_c3 increases gradually with the addition of Y. Martensite accompanied with a few δ-ferrite is the dominant structure in all the steels. The amount of δ-ferrite shows a strong dependence with the Y content and austenitizing temperature. Area fraction of δ-ferrite increases with the content of Y, which is the ferrite favouring element. The minimum amount of δ-ferrite are achieved at 950 °C for 12Cr-0Y, 12Cr-0.1Y, 12Cr-0.2Y and 1000 °C for 12Cr-0.3Y. Besides, more carbides precipitate along the martensite laths and grain boundaries in the Y-bearing steel due to the redistribution of carbon between austenite and ferrite resulting from the ferrite favouring element of Y.     

Effect of simulated thermal cycles on the microstructure of the heat-affected zone in HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steel plates

The influence of weld thermal simulation on the transformation kinetics and heat-affected zone (HAZ) microstructure of two high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels, HSLA-80 and HSLA-100, has been investigated. Heat inputs of 10 kJ/cm (fast cooling) and 40 kJ/cm (slow cooling) were used to generate single-pass thermal cycles with peak temperatures in the range of 750 °C to 1400 °C. The prior-austenite grain size is found to grow rapidly beyond 1100 °C in both the steels, primarily with the dissolution of niobium carbonitride (Nb(CN)) precipitates. Dilatation studies on HSLA-80 steel indicate transformation start temperatures (T _s ) of 550 °C to 560 °C while cooling from a peak temperature (T _p ) of 1000 °C. Transmission electron microscopy studies show here the presence of accicular ferrite in the HAZ. The T _s value is lowered to 470 °C and below when cooled from a peak temperature of 1200 °C and beyond, with almost complete transformation to lath martensite. In HSLA-100 steel, the T _s value for accicular ferrite is found to be 470 °C to 490 °C when cooled from a peak temperature of 1000 °C, but is lowered below 450 °C when cooled from 1200 °C and beyond, with correspondingly higher austenite grain sizes. The transformation kinetics appears to be relatively faster in the fine-grained austenite than in the coarse-grained austenite, where the niobium is in complete solid solution. A mixed microstructure consisting of accicular ferrite and lath martensite is observed for practically all HAZ treatments. The coarse-grained HAZ (CGHAZ) of HSLA-80 steel shows a higher volume fraction of lath martensite in the final microstructure and is harder than the CGHAZ of HSLA-100 steel.     

Effect of simulated thermal cycles on the microstructure of the heat-affected zone in HSLA-80 and HSLA-100 steel plates

The influence of weld thermal simulation on the transformation kinetics and heat-affected zone (HAZ) microstructure of two high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels, HSLA-80 and HSLA-100, has been investigated. Heat inputs of 10 kJ/cm (fast cooling) and 40 kJ/cm (slow cooling) were used to generate single-pass thermal cycles with peak temperatures in the range of 750 °C to 1400 °C. The prior-austenite grain size is found to grow rapidly beyond 1100 °C in both the steels, primarily with the dissolution of niobium carbonitride (Nb(CN)) precipitates. Dilatation studies on HSLA-80 steel indicate transformation start temperatures (T _s ) of 550 °C to 560 °C while cooling from a peak temperature (T _p ) of 1000 °C. Transmission electron microscopy studies show here the presence of accicular ferrite in the HAZ. The T _s value is lowered to 470 °C and below when cooled from a peak temperature of 1200 °C and beyond, with almost complete transformation to lath martensite. In HSLA-100 steel, the T _s value for accicular ferrite is found to be 470 °C to 490 °C when cooled from a peak temperature of 1000 °C, but is lowered below 450 °C when cooled from 1200 °C and beyond, with correspondingly higher austenite grain sizes. The transformation kinetics appears to be relatively faster in the fine-grained austenite than in the coarse-grained austenite, where the niobium is in complete solid solution. A mixed microstructure consisting of accicular ferrite and lath martensite is observed for practically all HAZ treatments. The coarse-grained HAZ (CGHAZ) of HSLA-80 steel shows a higher volume fraction of lath martensite in the final microstructure and is harder than the CGHAZ of HSLA-100 steel.     

The Investigation of Strain-Induced Martensite Reverse Transformation in AISI 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the strain-induced martensitic transformation and reversion transformation of the strain-induced martensite in AISI 304 stainless steel using a number of complementary techniques such as dilatometry, calorimetry, magnetometry, and in-situ X-ray diffraction, coupled with high-resolution microstructural transmission Kikuchi diffraction analysis. Tensile deformation was applied at temperatures between room temperature and 213 K (−60 °C) in order to obtain a different volume fraction of strain-induced martensite (up to ~70 pct). The volume fraction of the strain-induced martensite, measured by the magnetometric method, was correlated with the total elongation, hardness, and linear thermal expansion coefficient. The thermal expansion coefficient, as well as the hardness of the strain-induced martensitic phase was evaluated. The in-situ thermal treatment experiments showed unusual changes in the kinetics of the reverse transformation (α′ → γ). The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the reverse transformation may be stress assisted—strains inherited from the martensitic transformation may increase its kinetics at the lower annealing temperature range. More importantly, the transmission Kikuchi diffraction measurements showed that the reverse transformation of the strain-induced martensite proceeds through a displacive, diffusionless mechanism, maintaining the Kurdjumov–Sachs crystallographic relationship between the martensite and the reverted austenite. This finding is in contradiction to the results reported by other researchers for a similar alloy composition.

     

Strain distribution effects on the low-cycle fatigue behavior of Fe-C-Mo steels

The strain distributions obtained from monotonic finite element method (FEM) calculations have been employed to model the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of Fe-C-Mo dual-phase steels. The microstructures considered have a continuous ferrite matrix (with Mo₂C precipitates) surrounding martensite packets. Two microstructural parameters have been controlled: (1) the volume fraction of martensite and (2) the strength of the ferrite matrix. The FEM approximations show that highly strained regions dominate LCF lifetimes. The experimentally observed reductions in plastic strain life for increasing martensite volume fractions are described usingM _ε , the strain magnification factor, which is obtained from the FEM analyses. Strengthening the ferrite matrix or reducing the volume fraction of martensite reducesM _ε . The cyclic softening observed is qualitatively correlated with FEM predictions of increasing plastic strain in the martensite as the ferrite strength increases. The overall cyclic hardening-softening behavior results from the combination of ferritic hardening combined with martensitic softening. Formerly Graduate Student, Department of Materials Science, University of Virginia.     

In‐situ Synchrotron XRD Analysis of the Effect of Static Strain Aging on the Elasto‐plastic Transition in CMnSi TRIP Steel

In situ synchrotron X‐ray diffraction was used to investigate the martensitic transformation kinetics, lattice straining and diffraction peak broadening in cold‐rolled TRIP steel during tensile testing. Direct evidence of stress‐strain partitioning between different phases, dislocation pinning and differences in yielding behaviour of the different phases were clearly observed. The TRIP steel was subjected to a bake‐hardening treatment and a pronounced static strain aging effect was observed. In the present work, the martensitic transformation kinetics and the elastic micro‐strain evolution for both ferrite and retained austenite during the elasto‐plastic transition are reported with an emphasis on bake‐hardening with and without pre‐straining.     

In-Situ High-Energy X-ray Diffraction Study of Austenite Decomposition During Rapid Cooling and Isothermal Holding in Two HSLA Steels

In-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction experiments with high temporal resolution during rapid cooling (280 °C s⁻¹) and isothermal heat treatments (at 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C for 30 minutes) were performed to study austenite decomposition in two commercial high-strength low-alloy steels. The rapid phase transformations occurring in these types of steels are investigated for the first time in-situ, aiding a detailed analysis of the austenite decomposition kinetics. For the low hardenability steel with main composition Fe-0.08C-1.7Mn-0.403Si-0.303Cr in weight percent, austenite decomposition to polygonal ferrite and bainite occurs already during the initial cooling. However, for the high hardenability steel with main composition Fe-0.08C-1.79Mn-0.182Si-0.757Cr-0.094Mo in weight percent, the austenite decomposition kinetics is retarded, chiefly by the Mo addition, and therefore mainly bainitic transformation occurs during isothermal holding; the bainitic transformation rate at the isothermal holding is clearly enhanced by lowered temperature from 550 °C to 500 °C and 450 °C. During prolonged isothermal holding, carbide formation leads to decreased austenite carbon content and promotes continued bainitic ferrite formation. Moreover, at prolonged isothermal holding at higher temperatures some degenerate pearlite form.

     

Solidification mechanism of martensitic stainless steel

Abstract

In an unidirectional solidification experiment, an 8 kg stainless steel ingot with the composition 0·25%C, 17%Cr, and 1%Mn was solidified under continuous casting conditions. The dwell time of primary cooling was varied, followed by secondary spray cooling. Metallographic investigation, heat transfer, and segregation were carried out to study the solidification mechanism. The partition ratio of the elements present in ferrite and in austenite (martensite) was determined. It was indicated that the solidification follows: L → L + δ → L + δ + γ → δ + γ + carbides. Under high cooling rates γ austenite solidifies as a leading phase. The beginning of spray cooling has the main effect in controlling the obtained microstructures. Carbide thickening is observed in the rapidly cooled zone between the ferrite and the martensitic matrix. Tempered martensite increases by lowering the cooling rate, which gives more time for carbide dissolution and for carbon to diffuse into the ferrite, eventually increasing the austenite (martensite) fraction in the final matrix at the expense of ferrite.