Influence of Holding Time After Deformation on Bainite Transformation in Niobium Microalloyed Steel

  Using Gleeble 1500 system, the influence of holding time on bainite transformation in deformed niobium microalloyed steel during continuous cooling was analyzed, and the carbides in upper bainite were also systematically researched. The results show that the occurrence of the static recrystallization decreases the amount of bainite with an increase in the holding time and the emergence of retained austenite (RA) with the longer holding time. Two types of carbides were observed in upper bainite with regard to their precipitation sites. They either existed between the bainite ferrite laths or co existed with RA. The formation mechanism of two kinds of carbides was analyzed by combining TEM micrographs with the model.     

Effect of Niobium on Isothermal Transformation of Austenite to Ferrite in HSLA LowCarbon Steel

Using thermomechanical simulation experiment, the kinetics of the isothermal transformation of austenite to ferrite in two HSLA lowcarbon steels containing different amounts of niobium was investigated under the conditions of both deformation and undeformation. The results of optical microstructure observation and quantitative metallography analysis showed that the kinetics of the isothermal transformation of austenite to ferrite in lower niobium steel with and without deformation suggests a stage mechanism, wherein there exists a linear relationship between the logarithms of holding time and ferrite volume fraction according to Avrami equation, whereas the isothermal transformation of austenite to ferrite in high niobium steel proceeds via a two stage mechanism according to micrographs, wherein, the nucleation rate of ferrite in the initial stage of transformation is low, and in the second stage, the rate of transformation is high and the transformation of residual austenite to ferrite is rapidly complete. Using carbon extraction replica TEM, niobium carbide precipitation for different holding time was investigated and the results suggested that NbC precipitation and the presence of solute niobium would influence the transformation of austenite to ferrite. The mechanism of the effect of niobium on the isothermal transformation was discussed.     

Dynamic and Static Recrystallization Behaviour of Coarse-grained Austenite in a Nb-V-Ti Microalloyed Steel简

The dynamic recrystallization （DRX） and static recrystallization （SRX） behaviour of coarse-grained aus- tenite in a Nb-V-Ti microalloyed steel were studied by using a Gleeble thermomechanical simulator. Continuous and interrupted compression tests of coarse-grained austenite were performed in the temperature range of 1000-1 150 ℃ at a strain rate of 0. 1- 5 s 1. The peak and critical strains for the onset of DRX were identified with strain hardening rate analysis, and the ratio of critical strain to peak strain was found to be consistent with the one reported for fine- grained austenite. An equation of the time for 50% softening was proposed by considering the activation energy of steel without microalloying elements and the solute drag effect of microalloying elements. Strain-induced precipitation may not take place at the deformation temperature above 1000 ℃, which indicates that SRX of coarse-grained aus- tenite is mainly retarded by coarse grain size and Nb in solution during rough rolling.     

Effect of Magnesium on Inclusion Formation in TiKilled Steels and Microstructural Evolution in Welding Induced CoarseGrained Heat Affected Zone

 Effects of Mg on the chemical component and size distribution of Ti bearing inclusions favored grain refinement of the welding induced coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ), with enhanced impact toughness in Ti killed steels, which were examined based on experimental observations and thermodynamic calculations. The results indicated that the chemical constituents of the inclusions gradually varied from the Ti O+Ti Mg O compound oxide to the Ti Mg O+MgO compound oxide and the single phase MgO, as the Mg content increased from 0002 3% to 0006%. A trace addition of Mg (approximately 0002%) led to the refinement of Ti bearing inclusions by creating the Ti Mg O compound oxide and provided favorable size distribution of the inclusions for acicular ferrite transformation with a high nucleation rate in the CGHAZ, and a high volume fraction of acicular ferrite was obtained in the CGHAZ with enhanced impact toughness. Otherwise, a high content of Mg (approximately 0006%) produced a single phase MgO, which was impotent to nucleate an acicular ferrite, and a microstructure comprised of a ferrite side plate and a grain boundary ferrite developed in the CGHAZ. The experimental results were confirmed by thermodynamic calculations.     

Effects of Austempering and Martempering Processes on Amount of Retained Austenite in Cr-Mo Steels （FMU-226） Used in Mill Liner

The presence of retained austenite gives rise to deterioration of the wear resistance and fracture strength of Cr-Mo steels in many cases. Thus, the effects of heat treatments including direct quenching, martempering, and austempering on the retained austenite existing in the microstructure of these steels were investigated. Specimens were austenized at 950 ℃ followed by direct quenching using compressed and still air. The specimens were also isothermally quenched in salt bath at 200 and 300 ℃ for 2, 8, 30, and 120 min. Microstructures of the specimens were studied using optical microscope (traditional black and white etching as well as color etching), scanning electron microscope (SEM), microhardness tester, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the lowest amount of retained austenite in the microstructure was obtained in the specimens quenched isothermally at 300 ℃ for 120 min.     

Nb的析出对变形诱导铁素体相变的影响

通过Gleeble2000热模拟实验机，研究了X65管线钢中Nb在变形奥氏体中的析出状态对变形诱导铁素体相变（DIFT）的影响。试验结果表明，在奥氏体临界区变形时，第一道次变形后，随变形后等温时间延长，诱导铁素体量变化不大。等温时间达120S时，变形奥氏体仍未发生再结晶。在道次间随时间延长，Nb的析出量增加，第二道次变形后诱导的铁素体也显著增加。微合金元素Nb通过碳氮化物的析出作用促进变形诱导铁素体相变。     

Effect of Niobium on Isothermal Transformation of Austenite to Ferrite in HSLA Low-Carbon Steel

Using thermomechanical simulation experiment,the kinetics of the isothermal transformation of austenite to ferrite in two HSLA low-carbon steels containing different amounts of niobium was investigated under the conditions of both deformation and undeformation.The results of optical microstructure observation and quantitative metallography analysis showed that the kinetics of the isothermal transformation of austenite to ferrite in lower niobium steel with and without deformation suggests a stage mechanism,wherein there exists a linear relationship between the logarithms of holding time and ferrite volume fraction according to Avrami equation,whereas the isothermal transformation of austenite to ferrite in high niobium steel proceeds via a two stage mechanism according to micrographs,wherein,the nucleation rate of ferrite in the initial stage of transformation is low,and in the second stage,the rate of transformation is high and the transformation of residual austenite to ferrite is rapidly complete.Using carbon extraction replica TEM,niobium carbide precipitation for different holding time was investigated and the results suggested that NbC precipitation and the presence of solute niobium would influence the transformation of austenite to ferrite.The mechanism of the effect of niobium on the isothermal transformation was discussed.     

铌的析出行为对形变诱导相变的影响

在Gleeble热模拟试验机上,研究含铌微合金钢中铌的析出物在形变诱导相变过程中的作用机理,结果表明:当加热温度为1000℃时,部分铌的碳化物未溶解于奥氏体中,而加热温度为1100℃时,铌的碳化物能够全部溶解到奥氏体中,含铌微合金钢加热温度范围约在1000～1100℃之间。铌的未溶解碳化物和在冷却过程中析出的碳化物都能作为铁素体形核位置,从而促进γ→α相变的发生。     

形变诱导铁素体逆相变过程中的组织及取向变化

 通过对普碳钢Q235在Gleeble1500热模拟机上变形后的微观组织分析,研究了组织中形变诱导的铁素体在变形后保温阶段转变为奥氏体的逆相变现象;并利用背散射电子衍射(EBSD)技术分析了晶粒取向变化。结果表明,在变形后的保温过程中,形变诱导的铁素体先逆相变为奥氏体,同时伴随着诱导铁素体晶粒的长大;然后随着变形后保温时间的延长,逆相变后的奥氏体由马氏体相变逐渐过渡到铁素体的平衡转变,相应地铁素体由具有少量亚结构的形变诱导铁素体逐渐转变为具有较多亚结构的先共析铁素体。     

形变诱导铁素体相变热力学机制的探讨分析

 从热力学角度,对热模拟变形是否会改变顺磁性奥氏体的磁性自由能,为相变发生提供一定的驱动力这个问题进行了模拟研究。试验材料选用室温组织为顺磁性奥氏体的Fe Ni Cr合金,利用X射线衍射仪和振动样品磁强计,测量了不同变形条件下样品的X射线衍射谱线和磁化强度,结果表明：一定条件的变形可以改变顺磁性奥氏体的磁化强度,且随着变形量的增加,磁化强度逐渐减小,磁性自由能随之降低;通过分析磁性自由能降低的原因,从磁性自由能角度,提出了形变诱导铁素体相变的热力学模型修正因子。     

Microstructure and Transformation Characteristics of Acicular Ferrite in High Niobium-Bearing Microalloyed Steel

 The transformation behavior and microstructural characteristics of a low carbon high Nb-bearing microalloyed pipeline steel have been investigated by deformation dilatometry and microstructure observation. The continuous cooling transformation curves (CCT) of the tested steel was constructed. High Nb content and deformation enhancing the formation of acicular ferrite; the microstructures are range from PF, QF to AF with increasing cooling rates from 0.5 to 50℃/s and dominated by acicular ferrite in a broadened cooling rate higher than 5℃/s. The chaotic microstructure consists of non-equiaxed ferrite and interwoven ferrite laths distributed high density dislocations and sununits. The results of isothermal holding show that acicular ferrite microstructure is formed in region of 550-600℃. With the holding time or temperature increased, some low misorientations boundaries change to high misotrentationn as dislocations moving and grain boundaries coarsening.     

Effect of Strain Path Reversal on Austenite Grain Subdivision and Deformation Induced Ferrite Transformation Studied by Hot Torsion

The effects of large strain and strain path reversal on the deformation microstructure evolution in austenite below the recrystallisation temperature were studied by hot torsion using a non-transforming Fe-30wt%Ni model austenitic alloy.Results show that the high angle boundaries (HABs) can be generated by both microstructure mechanism through dislocation accumulation and texture mechanism via subgrain rotation.However,multiple strain path reversals lead to less well-developed HABs in the original grains compared to single reversal deformed to the same amount of total accumulative strain.This effect is attributed to the subgrain rotation mechanism being less effective at small strains.In comparison,the same hot torsion tests were conducted using a microalloyed steel at a temperature between Ae 3 and Ar 3.After single strain path reversal,substantial deformation-induced austenite-to-ferrite phase transformation was observed.Meanwhile,a test with multiple strain path reversals but with the same total strain produces much lower levels of strain-induced ferrite formation.This difference is correlated to the observations made in the Fe-30wt%Ni model alloy.It is believed that the different amount of strain-induced ferrite originated from the different levels of strain-induced HABs within the austenite which act as ferrite nucleation sites.     

Effect of Hot Torsion Parameters on Development of Ultrafine Ferrite Grains in Microalloyed Steel

 Hot torsion testing was performed on a low carbon Nb-Ti microalloyed steel to study the effects of hot torsion parameters, strain and strain rate, on ultrafine ferrite grains production through dynamic strain-induced transformation, at a deformation temperature just above Ar3. The initiation and evolution of ultrafine ferrite grains were studied. The results show that the amount of strain and strain rate has conversely effect on the volume fraction and grain size of ultrafine ferrite grains. With increasing strain, the interior of austenite grains become activated as nucleation sites for fine ferrite grains. As a result, ferrite grains continuously nucleate not only at the former austenite grain boundaries but also inside the austenite grains which leads to a rapid increase in volume fraction of ultrafine grains. Increasing of strain rate reduces the tendency of ferrite grains coarsening so that ultrafine ferrite grains are achieved, while the volume fraction of ultrafine grains decreases at the same strain level.     

Niobium Carbide Precipitation in Microalloyed Steel

The precipitation of niobium carbo‐nitrides in the austenite phase, interphase and ferrite phase of microalloyed steel was assessed by a critical literature review and a round table discussion. This work analyses the contribution of niobium carbide precipitates formed in ferrite in the precipitation hardening of commercially hot rolled strip. Thermodynamics and kinetics of niobium carbo‐nitride precipitation as well as the effect of deformation and temperature on the precipitation kinetics are discussed in various examples to determine the amount of niobium in solid solution that will be available for precipitation hardening after thermomechanical rolling in the austenite phase and successive phase transformation.