The effect of grain size and martensitic transformation on the wear behavior of AISI 304L stainless steel

In the present study, a combination of cold rolling and subsequent annealing was used to produce an AISI 304L stainless steel with different grain sizes (650 nm, 3 μm and 12 μm). Wear behavior of the steel was subsequently examined using dry sliding wear test under different loads of 10 N, 20 N and 30 N. Different microstructural characterizations were conducted on the samples. The results demonstrated that the ultra-fine grained steel (650 nm grain size) had better wear resistance under normal loads of 10 N and 20 N, whereas under the normal load of 30 N, it showed weak wear resistance as compared to the steel with larger grain size (3 μm and 12 μm). This behavior can be attributed to the amount of induced martensitic transformation formed during the wear test. This transformation was evaluated using XRD analysis and quantified by Ferritescope measurements. Wear mechanism was recognized as delamination in the early stages of the wear test and the mixture of delamination and abrasion for higher distances.     

Influence of nickel content on machinability of a hot-work tool steel in prehardened condition

In the present study, the influence of nickel content on the machinability of a prehardened hot-work tool steel was investigated. The machinability with varying nickel content from 1 to 5 wt.% was characterized in end milling and drilling by evaluating tool life, cutting forces, and tool/chip interface temperature.     

Effects of copper content on the machinability and corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steel

The effects of copper addition on the machinability and corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steel 4Cr16Mo are presented in the article. The results showed that the machinability of stainless steel 4Cr16Mo was obviously improved by adding Cu. When the content of copper in the stainless steel was 1.4%, the machinability of stainless steel was optimal. With the increase in the content of copper, the corrosion resistance of stainless steel 4Cr16Mo was improved. From the observation of the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and high resolution electron microscopy (HREM), it can be seen that Cu-rich phases were dispersed in the stainless steel, and determined to be about 10 nm.     

The effect of preheat & post weld heat treatment on the laser weldability of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel

The martensitic stainless steels are widely used in many industries with their excellent mechanical properties and sufficient corrosion resistance. These steels usually are used for a wide range of applications like nuclear power plants, steam generators, mixer blades, pressure vessels, turbine blades, surgical tools, instrument manufacturing and so on. Contrary to good mechanical and corrosion properties of martensitic steels, poor weldability and cold cracking sensitivity are major problems that are faced in joining of these steels. In this study, the weldability of AISI 420 (X30Cr13) martensitic stainless steel by CO₂ laser beam welding method has been investigated. Effects of pre and post weld heat treatments on mechanical properties and microstructure of laser welded AISI 420 martensitic stainless have also been determined. As a conclusion, it was determined that pre and post weld heat treatments sufficiently improved the mechanical properties of the welds.     

Microstructural characterization of AISI 431 martensitic stainless steel laser-deposited coatings

High cooling rates during laser cladding of stainless steels may alter the microstructure and phase constitution of the claddings and consequently change their functional properties. In this research, solidification structures and solid state phase transformation products in single and multi layer AISI 431 martensitic stainless steel coatings deposited by laser cladding at different processing speeds are investigated by optical microscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), orientation imaging microscopy (OIM), ternary phase diagram, Schaeffler and TTT diagrams. The results of this study show how partitionless solidification and higher solidification rates alter the microstructure and phase constitution of martensitic stainless steel laser deposited coatings. In addition, it is shown that while different cladding speeds have no effect on austenite–martensite orientation relationship in the coatings, increasing the cladding speed has resulted in a reduction of hardness in deposited coatings which is in contrast to the common idea about obtaining higher hardness values at higher cladding speeds.     

The effect of pit size and density on the fatigue behaviour of a pre‐corroded martensitic stainless steel

UNS S17400 steel is used in turbines for the aerospace and utility industries. While it is generally corrosion resistant, it is susceptible to pitting when exposed to aqueous chloride environments. Effects of pitting characteristics, such as depth, width, and local density on fatigue life, have been studied in this work to better inform criteria for component replacement or repair. While pit depth correlates well with cracking, the deepest pit never initiated the crack that ultimately led to failure. The clustering of pits, or local pitting density, also correlated well with crack initiation location; however, the densest region of pitting was not always the location where cracking occurred. There is likely no single metric that directly correlates pitting with fatigue cracking, rather there is a combination of pitting characteristics that ultimately lead to cracking. The results from this work suggest that pit depth and local pitting density are among the more important metrics.     

Stellite 21 coatings on AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel by gas tungsten arc welding

Abstract

Degradation of AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel, a typical alloy for many applications such as steam turbine blade, could impair its efficiency and lifetime. To overcome this problem, critical surfaces could be modified by weld cladding via gas tungsten arc welding technique. In the present research, a comparative study of Stellite 21 weld overlays deposited in three different thicknesses, i.e. dilutions, at various preheat and post-weld heat treatment temperatures on the surface of AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel, has been made. The surface of coatings has been examined to reveal their microstructures, phase characterisation and mechanical properties using XRD, microhardness tester and metallographic techniques. The results showed that the deposition of Stellite 21 coating on AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel improved its corrosion resistance. Moreover, the volumetric dilution had a considerable effect on the hardness, microstructure and electrochemical corrosion behaviour of Stellite 21 weld overlays.     

Research on new rapid and deep plasma nitriding techniques of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel

Cyclic plasma oxynitriding and cyclic plasma nitriding catalyzed by rare earth La of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel were performed and compared with conventional plasma nitriding. The nitrided layers were investigated by means of an optical microscope, microhardness tester, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), wear machine, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the wear resistance of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel is improved significantly by the two new rapid and deep plasma nitriding techniques. The new techniques increase the surface hardness of the nitrided layers and make the microhardness profiles gentler, which are consistent with the nitrogen concentration depth profiles. Meanwhile, the nitrided effect improves with increasing cycles. It was also found that the optimum phase compositions of nitrided layers with more γ′ phases and less ? phases for long-term service conditions can be obtained by the two new techniques, which is in agreement with the microstructure. In addition, traces of Fe₃O₄ were found in the cyclic plasma oxynitrided sample. Combining the SEM and EDS analysis indicated the existence of La in the nitrided layer of the sample under cyclic plasma nitriding catalyzed by rare earth La.     

Influence of the martensitic transformation on the deformation behaviour of an AISI 316 stainless steel at low temperatures

The deformation behaviour of an AISI 316 stainless steel under uniaxial tension was examined at 25, – 70 and – 196° C. The flow curves exhibited peculiar shapes and the work hardening rates were found to increase with strain beyond certain values of plastic strain. X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the transformation to-martensite commenced at these values of plastic strain and thereafter the volume fraction of increased steadily with strain. On the other hand, the amount of the-martensite was found to increase with plastic strain initially, reach a maximum and then decrease gradually. The contribution of the-phase to the flow stress of the alloy was found to be directly proportional to the volume fraction of. It is shown that the analysis of the flow curves provides a simple method of detecting the onset of the strain-induced martensitic transformation as well as estimating the amount of this martensite during further deformation.     

The size effect of the martensitic transformation in ZrO2-containing ceramics

The relationship between the starting temperature of the martensitic transformation, M _s, and the grain size of the parent phase, d, in ZrO₂-containing ceramics was investigated. The experimental results showed that in tetragonal zirconia polycrystals doped with CeO₂ (8 mol%) and Y₂O₃ (0.25 mol%) (8Ce, 0.25Y-TZP), the M _s temperature displays a linear relationship with d ^–1/2, its slope being negative. A new explanation for this phenomenon, the so-called the size effect, has been presented, in which the grain size of the parent phase affects the M _s temperature through the strength of the parent phase. Thermodynamic calculation of the relationship between M _s and d gives a result consistent with the experimental ones.     

Effect of microstructure on KCl corrosion attack of modified AISI 310 steel

Abstract

The effect of microstructure on KCl corrosion attack was studied using a specifically chosen modified AISI 310 austenitic steel in a 15% (v/v) H₂O (g) + 5%(v/v) O₂ (g) + N₂ (g) (balance) atmosphere at 600°C for 168 h. The material was a targeted choice as it allows investigation of different microstructures i.e. as-received (without sigma phase) and heat-treated (29% σ-phase per area) microstructures. The corrosion attack was studied with light optical, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy as well as X-ray diffraction. The heat-treated sample showed a corrosion attack that was 5 times higher than the as-received sample. In the heat-treated sample, the σ-phase was selectively attacked. At the corrosion front, chlorine (but not potassium) was detected in the selectively attacked σ- phase but not in the unattacked adjacent matrix. Therefore, the corrosion attack was propagated by preferential σ-phase attack by chlorine species.     

AISI D2钢力学性能尺寸效应实验研究

为研究AISI D2钢力学性能尺寸效应现象,在常温下采用电子万能试验机和分离式霍普金森压杆(SHPB)实验装置对3种不同剪切带宽度(分别为800,400,50μm)的帽形试样进行了准静态和动态加载实验.实验结果表明,流动应力和失效应变随着剪切带宽度的减小而增大,但产生流动应力和失效应变尺寸效应现象的剪切带宽度不同.基于应变率强化项修正的Johnson-Cook本构模型,通过实验数据拟合得到材料的本构关系.研究表明,修正的Johnson-Cook本构模型与实验结果吻合较好.     

Effect of specimen size on fatigue crack growth rate in AISI 4340 steel

An investigation has been carried out to study the influence of specimen size parameters (thickness, with and aspect ratio) on fatigue crack growth rate. Compact tension specimens with a TL orientation, prepared from aircraft quality AISI 4340 steel and heat treated to a yield strength level of 1000 MPa, were used. All testing was done at a constant δK level. The investigation demonstrates that specimen thickness and width have no significant influence on fatigue crack growth rate for AISI 4340 steel. On the other hand, fatigue crack growth rate was found to increase marginally at high aspect ratios (a/W0.55). Paris constants C and m were also evaluated.     

In-reactor creep rupture of 20% cold-worked AISI 316 stainless steel

Results of an experiment designed to measure in-reactor stress-to-rupture properties of 20% cold-worked AISI 316 stainless steel are reported. The in-reactor rupture data are compared with postirradiation and unirradiated test results. In-reactor rupture lives were found to exceed rupture predictions of postirradiation tests. This longer in-reactor rupture life is attributed to dynamic point defect generation which is absent during postirradiation testing. The in-reactor stress-to-rupture properties are shown to be equal to or greater than the unirradiated material stress-to-rupture properties for times up to 7000 h.     

Influence of specimen size and microstructure on the fracture toughness of a martensitic stainless steel

The fracture toughness of alloy HT-9,² a martensitic stainless steel under consideration for fast reactor and fusion reactor applications, was determined from circular compact tension specimens using the multi-specimen R-curve method. Specimens with thicknesses of 11.94, 7.62 and 2.54mm and widths of 23.88 and 11.94 mm were tested to investigate the effects of specimen size on fracture toughness. The test results obtained from all specimens are in good agreement and thickness requirements for a valid J_1c test are satisfied. The experiment indicates that small specimens of HT-9 may be used for post-irradiation fracture toughness testing.Fractographic examination of the fracture surfaces reveals that fracture in HT-9 is significantly influenced by delta ferrite stringers present in the material. The fracture surface examination and crack opening displacement measurements for specimens tested at various temperatures are consistent with the temperature dependence of the J_1c results.     

The effect of martensite volume fraction and particle size on the tensile properties of a surface-carburized AISI 8620 steel with a dual-phase core microstructure

This study is focused on the production of a dual-phase steel structure in the core of a surface-carburized AISI 8620 cementation steel and the effect of martensite volume fraction (MVF) and martensite particle size (MPS) on tensile properties. Experimental results showed that, compared with specimens with a fully martensitic microstructure in the core, those with a dual-phase microstructure in the core exhibited slightly lower tensile and yield strength but superior ductility without sacrificing surface hardness. In specimens with a dual-phase microstructure in the core, the tensile strength increased and ductility decreased with increasing MVF. Both the tensile strength and the ductility increased with decreasing MPS at constant MVF. The best combination of tensile strength and ductility was obtained with a fine MPS at a constant MVF of 25%.     

The effect of post-heat treatment of laser surface melted AISI 1018 steel

The effect of laser surface melting (LSM) and following heat treatment on the microstructure of AISI 1018 steel was investigated. The microstructures of the samples (as-received, laser treated, and heat treated) were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry, and hardness testing techniques. The post-heat treatment of laser-treated samples was carried out at 900°C for 10 min followed by quenching universe water and oil. As the quenching rate decreased, the hardness of the melted layers decreased significantly, although the grain size of the melted region was still very small compared to the unaffected material. This was due to the very small austenite grain size which offered more grain-boundary area where decomposition can nucleate. Heavy Mn-Si precipitates were observed in the laser-treated layers, and post-heat treatment resulted in increased diameters of these particles owing to the lengthy time for diffusion.     

Hot cracking susceptibility of boron modified AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel welds

Abstract

The hot cracking susceptibility of welds made on AISI 304 stainless steel modified with from 0·2 to 1·0 wt-%B has been investigated. Varestraint tests showed that the hot cracking susceptibility is high for boron additions of about 0·2%, but is decreased when the boron content is increased to ≥0·5%. Steels containing about 0·2%B were found to have a wide solidification temperature range and their high temperature ductility was low compared with boron free AISI 304 steel and the other boron modified steels. Ferrite precipitation was inhibited in the 0·2%B steels and the formation of low melting point grain boundary films was thereby promoted. Increasing the boron content to ≥0·6% reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion and narrows the solidification temperature range. In addition, crack refilling was observed, resulting in improved hot ductility and high resistance to hot cracking. It is concluded that in structures where weld restraint forces are not high, hot cracking is not likely to occur if boron additions of >0·6% are made to AISI 304 stainless steel. In T-type and Fisco weld cracking tests, in which the weld restraint forces are close to those experienced by actual structural welds, the boron modified stainless steels show a low hot cracking susceptibility which is not significantly different from that of boron free AISI 304 steel.

MST/1548     

Effect of initial microstructure on surface relief and fatigue crack initiation in AISI 410 ferritic‐martensitic steel

This work is focused on the effect of the initial tempered‐lath microstructure on the surface relief and nucleation of microstructurally short fatigue cracks developed during low‐cycle fatigue tests of the ferritic‐martensitic AISI 410 steel. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy as well as electron back‐scattered diffraction were used to study the surface‐damage evolution in smooth, cylindrical, notched specimens. Results from the electron back‐scattered diffraction analysis broaden the understanding of the processes of nucleation of microstructurally short fatigue cracks in the initial tempered‐lath microstructure of AISI 410 ferritic‐martensitic steels. Results prove that during fatigue, microcracks nucleate mainly at high‐angle boundaries represented by block subunit interfaces formed in this tempered microstructure. Besides, the progress of fatigue cycling causes the reorientation of the {112} <111> systems to a direction more favourable to slip, giving rise to the formation of extrusions within the blocks and consequently the formation of microcracks.