The microstructure evolution and tensile properties of medium-Mn steel heat-treated by a two-step annealing process

The martensitic hot-rolled 0.3C-6Mn-1.5Si(wt％)steel was annealed at 630℃for 24 h to improve its cold rollability,followed by cold rolling and annealing at 670℃for 10 min.The annealing process was designed based on the capacities of industrial batch annealing and continuous annealing lines.A duplex submicron austenite and ferrite microstructure and excellent tensile properties were obtained finally,proved the above process is feasible."Austenite memory"was found in the hot-rolled and annealed sample which restricted recrystallization of lath martensite,leading to lath-shaped morphology of austenite and fer-rite grains."Austenite memory"disappeared in the cold-rolled and annealed sample due to austenite random nucleation and ferrite recrystallization,resulting in globular microstructure and refinement of both austenite and ferrite grains.The austenite to martensite transformation contributed most of strain hardening during deformation and improved the uniform elongation,but the dislocation strengthening played a decisive role on the yielding behavior.The tensile curves change from continuous to discontin-uous yielding as the increase of cold-rolled reduction due to the weakening dislocation strengthening of austenite and ferrite grains related to the morphology change and grain refinement.A method by controlling the cold-rolled reduction is proposed to avoid the Liiders strain.     

In situ synchrotron study on the interplay between martensite formation, texture evolution and load partitioning in low-alloyed TRIP steels

We have studied the micromechanical behaviour of two low-alloyed multiphase TRIP steels with different aluminium contents by performing in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction experiments at a synchrotron source under increasing tensile stress levels. A detailed analysis of the two-dimensional diffraction data has allowed us to unravel the interplay between the martensite formation, the texture evolution and the load partitioning, and to correlate the observed behaviour to the macroscopic response of the material. The high aluminium content TRIP steel grade presents a higher volume fraction of retained austenite at room temperature that transforms more gradually into martensite under deformation, providing a larger uniform elongation. The comparison between the observed transformation behaviour and the texture evolution indicates that the 〈1 0 0〉 component along the loading direction corresponds to a low critical stress for the transformation. The evolution of the elastic strains revealed the occurrence of a significant load partitioning before reaching the macroscopic yield strength, which becomes more pronounced in the plastic regime due to the progressive yielding of the different grains in the polycrystalline material. This opens the door to tailor the austenite stability by altering the distribution in grain size, local carbon content, and grain orientation in order to produce the optimal load partitioning and work hardening for improved combinations of strength and formability in low-alloyed TRIP steels.     

Transformation texture of allotriomorphic ferrite in steel

Abstract

Many aspects of the crystallographic texture which develops when austenite transforms into martensite or bainite are well established because the process by which the parent lattice is transformed into that of the product is mathematically defined. This is not the case when the ferrite forms by a reconstructive mechanism. The allotriomorphic ferrite nucleates heterogeneously at austenite grain boundaries, and although a reproducible, low energy orientation relationship is expected to exist between the ferrite and one of the austenite grains with which it is in contact, there are reports that the ferrite can simultaneously adopt this orientation with more than one austenite grain. The authors examine this possibility using crystallographic theory in order to assess the probability of such events as a function of the strength of the texture within the austenite before its transformation.     

Dynamic shear response and evolution mechanisms of adiabatic shear band in an ultrafine-grained austenite–ferrite duplex steel

The dynamic properties of an intercritically annealed 0.2C5Mn steel with ultrafine-grained austenite–ferrite duplex structure were studied under dynamic shear loading. The formation and evolution mechanisms of adiabatic shear band in this steel were then investigated using interrupted experiments at five different shear displacements and the subsequent microstructure observations. The dynamic shear plastic deformation of the 0.2C5Mn steel was observed to have three stages: the strong linear hardening stage followed by the plateau stage, and then the strain softening stage associated with the evolution of adiabatic shear band. High impact shear toughness was found in this 0.2C5Mn steel, which is due to the following two aspects: the strong linear strain hardening by martensite transformation at the first stage, and the suppressing for the formation of shear band by the continuous deformation in different phases through the proper stress and strain partitioning at the plateau stage. The evolution of adiabatic shear band was found to be a two-stage process, namely an initiation stage followed by a thickening stage. The shear band consists of two regions at the thickening stage: a core region and two transition layers. When the adjoining matrix is localized into the transition layers, the grains are refined along with increasing fraction of austenite phase by inverse transformation. However, when the transition layers are transformed into the core region, the fraction of austenite phase is decreased and almost disappeared due to martensite transformation again. These interesting observations in the core region and the transition layers should be attributed to the competitions of the microstructure evolutions associated with the non-uniformly distributed shear deformation and the inhomogeneous adiabatic temperature rise in the different region of shear band. The 0.2C5Mn TRIP steel reported here can be considered as an excellent candidate for energy absorbers in the automotive industry.     

2.47 GPa grade ultra-strong 15Co-12Ni secondary hardening steel with superior ductility and fracture toughness

This study investigated the effect of multi-step heat treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behavior of thick 15 Co-12 Ni secondary hardening steel. As-quenched sample was found to have elongated prior austenite grain(PAG) and coarse lenticular martensitic structure. On the other hand, heat-treated sample was observed to have fine lenticular martensitic structure due to fine PAG size and a lot of nano-sized carbides. Also, after heat treatment, nano-scale reverted austenite film was formed at the martensite interfaces. The heat-treated sample showed 2.47 GPa superior tensile strength and superior elongation of about 12 %. The high strength was mainly due to fine block size and high number density of nano-sized carbides. The average value of plane strain fracture toughness(KIC) was 29.3 MPa m1/2, which indicated a good fracture toughness even with the high tensile strength. The tensile fracture surface was observed to have ductile fracture mode(cup-and-cone) and the formation of about ~1 μm ultra-fine dimples. In addition to this, nano-sized carbides were observed within the dimples.The findings suggested that the nano-sized carbide had a positive effect not only on the strength but also on the ductility of the alloy. The fractured surface after toughness test, also showed ductile fracture mode with a lot of dimples. Based on the above results, correlation among microstructural evolution,deformation and fracture mechanisms along the heat-treatment was also discussed.     

The role of grain size in static and cyclic deformation behaviour of a laser reversion annealed metastable austenitic steel

Different grain sizes were created in a metastable 17Cr‐7Mn‐7Ni steel by martensite‐to‐austenite reversion at different temperatures using a laser beam. Two fully reverted material states obtained at 990°C and 780°C exhibited average grain sizes of 7.7 and 2.7 μm, respectively. The third microstructure (610°C) consisted of grains at different stages of recrystallization and deformed austenite. A hot‐pressed, coarse‐grained counterpart was studied for reference. The yield and tensile strengths increased with refined grain size, maintaining reasonable elongation except for the heterogeneous microstructure. Total strain‐controlled fatigue tests revealed increasing initial stress amplitudes but decreasing cyclic hardening and fatigue‐induced α′‐martensite formation with decreasing grain size. Fatigue life was slightly improved for the 2.7‐μm grain size. Contrary, the heterogeneous microstructure yielded an inferior lifetime, especially at high strain amplitudes. Examinations of the cyclically deformed microstructure showed that the characteristic deformation band structure was less pronounced in refined grains.     

Age hardening behaviour during reverse transformation from martensite to austenite in Fe–31·1wt-%Ni

Abstract

The effects of thermomechanical treatments on the reverse transformation behaviour from twinned plate martensite to austenite in Fe–31·1%Ni have been studied. The variation of both diffusion controlled and diffusionless reverse transformation with temperature and time was examined. Diffusional reversion was dominant at lower reheating temperatures and led to a fine martensite–austenite duplex microstructure with a grain size of 0·01–0·1 μm, which caused a remarkable hardening ?H_v of 170–230 HV during aging. Cold working of the martensite promoted diffusional reversion and enhanced age hardening. X-ray analysis indicates that the age hardening is caused mainly by elastic strain resulting from coherent precipitation of austenite in martensite.

MST/1414     

Martensitic transformation and work hardening of metastable austenite induced by abrasion in austenitic Fe-C-Cr-Mn-B Alloy - a TEM study

Abstract

The martensite transformation and work hardening of metastable austenite induced by abrasive wear in an austenitic Fe-C-Cr-Mn-B alloy were studied by TEM. The results show that an α' martensitic transformation occurred to form an elongated and equiaxial cellular dislocation substructure and the untransformed austenite matrix produced an equiaxial cellular dislocation substructure on the abraded surface. Electron diffraction patterns of the abraded material are composed of diffraction rings with series of broken arcs resulting from a fine grain structure and the deformation texture. The work hardening zone of austenite at the subsurface reveals heavy slip bands and deformation faults, at which the dislocations pile up. Examples of ? martensite induced by abrasive wear can be detected. The α' martensite transformation and metastable austenite work hardening should bring about an increase in surface hardness and wear resistance. Additionally, the cellular dislocation substructure of α' and γ have a significant effect on increasing the hardness of the wear surface. Observation by TEM indicates that the α' martensite transformation happens more easily in the austenite matrix near the carbide (Fe, Cr)₇C₃ as a result of the depletion of carbon and chromium.     

Microstructure and texture of high manganese steel subjected to dynamic impact loading

ABSTRACT

Dynamic impact response of high Mn-steel at a strain rate of 3000?s^?1 was investigated using the Split Hopkinson Pressure bar. The investigated steel depicted continuous yielding at high strain rates. Additionally, the yield stress displayed a positive strain-rate sensitivity with an increasing strain rate. Microstructural evaluations displayed that strain-induced martensitic transformation and dislocation multiplication during slip were dominant plastic deformation mechanisms in the absence of deformation twinning which contributes to the strain hardening. Adiabatic shear band and martensite to austenite reversion or dynamic recrystallisation were also attributed to strain softening during impact deformation. The {001}<110> R-cube, {011}<110> R-Goss, and ({111}<110>) E texture components were strengthened after impact loading compared with as-received condition, while the intensities of Cube, Cupper, Brass, and S texture components were decreased.     

Relation between microstructures of martensite and prior austenite in 12 wt% Cr ferritic steel

Tempered martensitic 9–12 wt% Cr ferritic steels are used as heat resistant materials in power plant, where service under conditions of high temperature and pressure for several decades is required, and an adequate resistance to creep is one of the key requirements. In this type of steels, failure has been found to occur preferentially at prior austenite grain boundaries if the prior austenite grains are coarse. It appears that the prior austenite grain boundaries can act as a site of especial weakness in the tempered martensitic microstructure. It would therefore be useful to investigate whether the properties of prior austenite grain boundaries could be modified by some appropriate thermomechanical processing method. One approach to this is to attempt to increase the fraction of annealing twins in the austenite phase and to investigate whether this has an effect on the properties of the martensite after transformation and tempering. In this study, thermomechanical treatments involving hot-rolling have been applied and the fraction of austenite twins produced determined using electron backscatter diffraction analysis. The treatment giving the highest fraction of austenite twins was identified and the effect of the increase in twin fraction on the characteristics of the martensite was investigated. It was found that the fraction of coincidence site lattice boundaries in martensite along prior austenite grain boundaries increased with increasing fraction of prior austenite twin boundaries.     

The strain induced martensite transformation in austenitic stainless steels: Part 1 – Influence of temperature and strain history

Abstract

The strain induced martensite transformation in austenitic stainless steels is of considerable interest, because it results in materials with attractive combinations of strength and ductility. The present work examines the mechanical response for a variety of strain and temperature paths, and relates these to microstructural observations. New evidence of the detailed transformation sequence is presented, along with direct evidence of codeformation of the austenite and martensite. Using different deformation temperature sequences enables the transformation to be changed from one that is heterogeneous to one that propagates axially along the sample. The strain hardening that occurs due to combined plasticity and martensitic transformation results in high kinematic hardening that is revealed by microstructural observations here, and which are linked directly to the mechanical response of these materials described in Part II of the present work.     

P91热轧无缝钢管的TMCP模拟

基于无缝钢管PQF工艺并结合其动态相变规律研究结果,制定P91热轧无缝钢管TMCP,使用Gleeble1500-D热模拟试验机对P91钢进行TMCP穿孔、连轧及定径热变形模拟,使用SEM和TEM观察变形各阶段的精细组织结构,分析P91钢管在TMCP条件下的微观组织遗传规律,研究了形变奥氏体的细化、强化及其马氏体相变行为。结果表明：对于P91钢管,采用TMCP,穿孔及连轧真应变达1.8的高温大变形易实现再结晶、细化形变奥氏体晶粒,990℃低温定径变形累积强化形变奥氏体、诱导马氏体相变,结合1℃/s的控制冷却得到了细化至0.1~0.5 μm的马氏体板条。还发现,板条内的亚结构为2~20 nm的微细孪晶及高密度位错,析出了20 nm×100 nm的(Cr,Fe,Mo)₂₃C₆纳米级碳化物。这种组织特征遗传了P91钢管TMCP细晶强化、析出强化及相变强化效果,大大提高了P91钢管的力学性能,并由实际生产验证了P91钢管TMCP的可行性。     

Further investigations on martensites in Fe-0.5 wt% C and Fe-0.5wt% C-24 wt% Ni melt spun ribbons

The types of martensites occurring in Fe–C and Fe–Ni–C melt spun ribbons in the as-solidified and after heat treatment conditions has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that melt spinning of Fe–0.5 wt% C induces a dislocated martensitic structure at room temperature even for grains as fine as 3m. The martensite laths are separated by thin layers of retained austenite. The martensite/austenite orientations are controlled by both the K-S and N-W relationships. Some of the martensite laths exhibit a twin relation. The dislocations within the laths are mainly screw. The counterpart alloy, Fe–0.5 wt% C–24 wt% Ni exhibits 100% austenite under similar conditions. Increasing the austenite grain size upon annealing enhances martensitic transformation. The present work is concentrated on the details of butterfly martensite obtained in these ribbons.     

Mechanism of misorientation development within coalesced martensite

Abstract

Coarse crystals of martensite can form by the coalescence of thin individual platelets of martensite under appropriate circumstances. Although these coarse grains are essentially single crystals, there exist significant orientation gradients across their dimensions. It is demonstrated that these gradients arise because of the plasticity induced in austenite due to the transformation strain associated with martensite growth. The resulting localised change in austenite orientation is then inherited by the new martensite growth, which consumes the deformed austenite.     

TEM Studies on Martensitic Transformation in Fe-Cr-W-V-C Alloy

The martensitic transformation inFe-Cr-W-V-C alloy has been investigated byTEM.The habit plane of martensite is near (252)_f,the austenite/martensite orientation relationship isKurdjumov-Sachs'.In the martensite plates thereare twins on (112)[ 1]_b,dislocation tangles and thelattice defects on (011)_b plane.In the austenite nearthe growing martensite plates,the dislocations withhigh density and stacking faults can be observed.The substructure of martensite may probably be theresult of accommodation deformation duringmartensitic transformations.     

Improvement of NiTi Shape Memory Actuator Performance Through Ultra‐Fine Grained and Nanocrystalline Microstructures

Ultra‐fine grain sizes have been shown to enhance some key mechanical and functional properties of engineering materials, including shape memory alloys. While the effect of ultra‐fine and nanocrystalline grain sizes on pseudoelastic shape memory materials is well‐appreciated in medical device engineering, the effect of such microstructures on actuators has not been sufficiently characterized. In the present work, it is demonstrated that NiTi spring actuators with ultra‐fine grained microstructures can be obtained by conventional wire drawing in combination with heat treatments and that the final grain size can be controlled by varying the final annealing temperature. Annealing at 400 °C for 600 s allows for the evolution of microstructures with median grain sizes of about 34 nm, while annealing at 600 °C for the same length of time results in median grain sizes of about 5 µm. It is observed that the grain size strongly affects the elementary processes of the martensitic phase transformation. Small austenite grain sizes inhibit twinning accommodation of transformation strains, such that a higher driving force is required to nucleate martensite. This increase in the martensite nucleation barrier decreases the martensite transformation temperatures such that only partial transformation to martensite is possible upon cooling to room temperature. The incomplete martensitic transformation reduces the exploitable actuator stroke; however, a reduction in grain size is shown to improve the functional stability of the material during thermal and thermomechanical cycling by reducing the irreversible effects of dislocation plasticity.     

Microstructure evolution through heavy compression aided by thermodynamic calculations

The induced martensite transformation in a dual-phase bainitic ferrite–austenite steel during heavy compression was studied by thermodynamic computations. Compression tests were conducted at temperatures of 298 and 573 K on the rectangle samples at the strain rate of 0.001 s⁻¹. The samples were deformed to 40 and 70% of their original thickness. It was found that 70% compression of the steel at room temperature resulted in transformation of retained austenite to martensite, which is in agreement with thermodynamic calculations. Additionally, heavy compression resulted in the formation of fine grains with high angle grain boundaries which confirms grain refinement.     

Bruchmechanische Eigenschaften von metastabilen Austeniten

Fracture Mechanical Properties of Metastable Austenites The effect of a martensitic tranformation at the crack tip on fracture mechanical properties was investigated with FeNiAl-model alloys. Transformable austenite and martensite obtained by deep-cooling showed a completely different behaviour. The martensite has high yield stress, normal dependence of fracture toughness of specimen diameter, and a low threshold for the start of fatigue crack growth. Characteristic for the metastable austenite is a high work hardening ability (at a low yield stress) by stress-induced martensitic transformation in a zone at the crack tip, which is surrounded by untransformed austenite. This leads to a compressive internal stress, which impedes crack growth. A consequence is a high fracture toughness, which even increases with specimen thickness, and a very high threshold value for fatigue crack growth. Localized stress induced martensitic transformation associated with a positiv volume change can explain the anomalous fracture mechanical properties of the alloys in the metastable austenitic state.     

Werkstoffverhalten und Mikrostrukturentwicklung hochfester Mn‐Al‐Si‐Leichtbaustähle unter Zugbelastung

Material behaviour and microstructure evolution of high‐strength Mn‐Al‐Si‐light‐weight steels under tensile loading Because of their extraordinary combination of high strength and superior ductility high‐strength high Mn‐steels with reduced density and additions of aluminium and silicon are interesting candidates for structural applications. The initial microstructure consisting of stable austenite or austenite and ε‐ and α'‐martensite was achieved by alloying. During plastic deformation intense strain induced martensitic transformation and / or mechanical twinning was observed. These deformation mechanisms are used to extend the limited forming capability and contribute to a high energy absorption (in impact tests) up to very high strain rates. Tensile tests reveal that the properties are maintained up to strain rates of about 1000 1/s. The flow stress behaviour is strongly influenced by the initial microstructure and their evolution during deformation processes is determined by the rates of martensite and twin formation, respectively.     

Annealing of strain-induced martensite to obtain micro/nanometre grains in austenitic stainless

Micro/nanometre grain sizes appear to improve the biocompatibility of austenitic stainless steel. In order to realise the reverse transformation (from strain-induced martensite) austenite structure control with micro/nanometre size, the influence of annealing parameters on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of 316L-Nb austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Furthermore, the role of Nb in the annealing process was also studied. The results showed that the closely 100% reversion transformation austenite structures were obtained in the samples after annealing at 850°C, where the grains with the grain diameter ≤500?nm accounted for 25% and the grains with the grain diameter >0.5?µm accounted for 75%. The micro/nanometre grain steel not only exhibited a high strength level but also exhibited a desirable elongation. Moreover, the Nb demonstrates a remarkable effect on grain-refining and a significant role in improving the stability of the microstructure.