The approach to equilibrium during tempering of a bulk nanocrystalline steel: an atom probe investigation

A local electrode atom probe has been used to analyze the solute partitioning during bainite transformation in a novel, nanocrystalline bainitic steel. Atom probe results show the absence of any partitioning of substitutional elements between the phases involved. The results are fully consistent with the diffusionless transformation of austenite to bainite. However, substitutional elements are expected to redistribute approaching an equilibrium phase boundary as the mixture of bainitic ferrite and retained austenite is tempered. The compositional analysis of the austenite/ferrite interface by atom probe tomography indicates that retained austenite decomposes during tempering before equilibrium is reached at the interface.     

Further evidence of tetragonality in bainitic ferrite

Abstract

There is growing evidence that bainitic ferrite which retains a substantial amount of carbon in solid solution does not have cubic symmetry. We provide additional data on a different nanostructured bainitic steel to support this evidence, based on synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments. The data are consistent only with a displacive transformation mechanism for bainite.     

Formation of ultrafine grained microstructures in steel through strain induced transformation during single pass hot rolling

Abstract

In the present study, wedge-shape sa mples were used to study the effect of strain induced transformation on the formation of ultrafine grained structures in steel by single pass rolling. The results showed two different transition strains for bainite formation and ultrafine ferrite (UFF) formation in the surface layer of strip at reductions of 40% and 70%, respectively, in a plain carbon steel. The bainitic microstructure formed by strain induced bainitic transformation during single pass rolling was also very fine. The evolution of UFF formation in the surface layer showed that ferrite coarsening is significantly reduced through strain induced transformation combined with rapid cooling in comparison with the centre of the strip. In the surface, the ferrite coarsening mostly occurred for intragranular nucleated grains (IG) rather than grain boundary (GB) ferrite grains. The results suggest that normal grain growth occurred during overall transformation in the GB ferrite grains. In the centre of the strip, there was significantly more coarsening of ferrite grains nucleated on the prior austenite grain boundaries.     

Stress induced transformation to bainite in Fe–Cr–Mo–C pressure vessel steel

Abstract

The kinetics of the bainitic transformation in a polycrystalline Fe–Cr–Mo–C alloy designed for applications in energy generation systems has been studied, with particular attention to the influence of mild tensile stresses on transformation behaviour. The steel was found to exhibit the incomplete reaction phenomenon, in which transformation to bainite stops well before the residual austenite acquires its paraequilibrium carbon concentration. It was found that even in the absence of an applied stress, the growth of bainitic ferrite caused anisotropic changes in specimen dimensions, consistent with the existence of crystallographic texture in its austenitic condition and, significantly, with the nature of the invariant-plane strain shape change that accompanies the growth of bainitic ferrite. Thus, transformation induced plasticity could be detected in fine grained polycrystalline samples, even in the absence of applied stress. The application of an external stress was found to alter radically the transformation behaviour, with clear evidence that the stress tends to favour the development of certain crystallographic variants of bainite, even though the stress may be well below the single phase yield strength. It is concluded that the transformation is influenced significantly by stresses as low as 45 MN m^?2, even though the effect may not be obvious in metallographic studies. The results are analysed and discussed in terms of the mechanism of the bainite transformation.

MST/1394     

In situ synchrotron X-ray study of bainite transformation kinetics in a low-carbon Si-containing steel

The bainite transformation in a low-carbon Si-containing steel has been studied in situ by synchrotron X-rays. While the austenite is homogeneous prior to transformation, the carbon distribution becomes nonuniform as bainite plates form. This is because of the different degrees of physical isolation of films and blocks of residual austenite. The method for converting dilatational strain into bainite volume fraction, using lattice strain as a reference, during isothermal transformation was found to overestimate it. The bainitic and martensitic ferrite did not exhibit a tetragonal unit cell due to the low-carbon content of the steel and the high transformation temperature.     

Effect of austenite grain size on isothermal bainite transformation in low carbon microalloyed steel

Abstract

The effect of austenite grain size on isothermal bainite transformation in a low carbon microalloyed steel was studied by means of optical microscopy, SEM and TEM. Two widely varying austenite grain sizes, a fine average grain size (～20 μm) and a coarse average grain size (～260 μm), were obtained by different maximum heating temperatures. The results showed that the morphology of isothermal microstructure changes from bainite without carbide precipitation to bainitic ferrite with a decrease in holding temperature. Coarse austenite grain can retard the kinetics of bainite transformation and increase the incubation time of bainite transformation by reducing the number of nucleation site, but it does not influence the nose temperature of the C curve of bainite start transformation, which is ～534°C.     

Transition from bainite to acicular ferrite in reheated Fe–Cr–C weld deposits

Abstract

Factors controlling the transition from acicular ferrite to bainite in Fe–Cr–C weld metals have been investigated. It appears that the presence of allotriomorphs of ferrite at austenite grain boundaries has the effect of suppressing the formation of bainitic sheaves. This in turn allows the acicular ferrite plates to develop on intragranular nucleation sites. A theoretical analysis indicates that bainitic transformation is prevented from developing at the allotriomorphic ferrite/austenite boundaries by the carbon concentration field present in the austenite at the allotriomorphic ferrite/austenite interface. This field does not homogenise within the residual austenite during the time scale of the experiments.

MST/1217     

Transition from upper to lower bainite in Fe–C–Cr steel

Abstract

An analytical evaluation of transition temperature from upper to lower bainite in Fe – 0·38C – 0·93Cr (wt-%) steel was carried out. Calculations were based on the model constructed by Takahashi and Bhadeshia, which involves a comparison between the time t_θ needed to precipitate cementite within the bainitic ferrite plates with the time t_θ required to decarburise supersaturated ferrite plates. It was found that the distribution of lath widths, shown by histograms, of the bainitic ferrite varies with isothermal transformation temperatures and holding times. The transition between upper and lower bainite is found to occur over a narrow range of temperatures (350 – 410°C) and depends on the thickness of bainitic ferrite laths and the volume fraction of precipitated cementite. On comparing t _d and t_θ it was found that a transition temperature from upper to lower bainite reaction L _S of about 350°C could be predicted if the thickness of bainitic ferrite laths is set as w _o = 0·1 μm and the volume fraction of cementite set as ξ = 0·01. Calculated differences in the relative behaviour of t _d and t_θ revealed the occurrence of upper and lower bainite in steel Fe – 0·38C – 0·93Cr consistent with the results of transmission electron microscopy investigation.     

Carbon partitioning during bainite transformation in low alloy steels

Abstract

Carbon partitioning in untransformed austenite during bainite transformation has been studied using high speed dilatometry. It was found that in specimens partially transformed to bainite, during subsequent quenching to ambient temperature two martensite start temperatures M _s can be registered. Because M _s depends directly on a carbon content in austenite, the obtained results may indicate that the carbon concentration trapped in films of austenite between parallel subunits of bainitic ferrite is much larger than in the blocks of austenite. It would indicate the necessity of a substantial modification of bainite and martensite regions on the time–temperature–transformation (continuous cooling) diagrams.     

Very strong low temperature bainite

Abstract

Bainite has been obtained by heat treatment at temperatures as low as 125°C in a high carbon, high silicon steel. This has had the effect of greatly refining the microstructure, which is found to have a strength in excess of 2.5 GPa together with an ability to flow plastically before fracture. Such properties have never before been achieved with bainite. In this paper metallographic details are reported of the very fine bainitic microstructure associated with the incredibly low transformation temperature, where during the time scale of the experiments, an iron atom cannot diffuse over a distance greater than ~ 10^-17 m. Yet, the microstructure has a scale in the micrometre range, consistent only with a displacive mechanism of transformation.     

Alloy optimisation of bainitic steel for large plastic mould

Based on the phase transformation theories, especially the T₀ concept of bainite transformation, alloy optimisation of bainitic steel with carbides has been carried out aiming at the produce of plastic mould with large cross-section. The effect of manganese and silicon on proeutectoid ferrite and bainite transformation is explored by dilatometric analysis, XRD and different microscopy techniques. The results show that after the alloy optimisation, the transformation of proeutectoid ferrite is suppressed and when the cooling rate is lower than 0·1°C?s^??1, the new lower bainite transformation appears by decreasing carbon capacity of austenite and promoting carbide precipitation. Industrial production proves that the optimised alloy SDP1 can meet the demand for the plastic mould with the thickness of 1050?mm.     

Transformation processes and products for C–Mn steels during continuous cooling

Abstract

The continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams for four C–Mn steels were constructed using dilatometry and metallography. All diagrams involved the formation curves of second phases and the formation curves of matrix structures. Between polygonal ferrite and martensite, acicularferrite and bainite were observed. The formation of acicularferrite was associated with a kinetic change which was an indication of the formation of second phases such as pearlite, pseudopearlite, and martensite. The pseudopearlite wasfound to form by separate precipitation of cementite and ferrite in austenite. It was thought that the transformation of martensite second phases followed a Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship. Three types of carbide, i.e. upper bainitic, lower bainitic, and Widmanstätten, were observed in continuously cooled bainite. An increase of manganese content suppressed the formation of polygonal ferrite, promoted the formation of acicular ferrite and bainite, and changed the second phase from pearlite to pseudopearlite and to martensite.

MST/913     

Model for transition from upper to lower bainite

Abstract

An attempt is made to model the transition from upper to lower bainite in steels, based on the hypothesis that bainitic ferrite grows with a supersaturation of carbon in solid solution. The theory involves a comparison between the time required to reject the excess carbon into the residual austenite by diffusion and the time required to obtain a detectable degree of cementite precipitation in the bainitic ferrite. If the precipitation process is relatively rapid, then it is assumed that lower bainite is obtained. The results are found to be in broad agreement with published experimental data.

MST/1095     

Investigation of bainitic isothermal transformation products in unalloyed ductile cast iron

The properties of the products of isothermal transformation of undercooled austenite into bainite in unalloyed ductile cast iron were investigated using X-ray diffraction. The following parameters were investigated: the fraction of austenite in the cast iron matrix, the crystal lattice parameter, and the width of the diffraction lines of the α and γ phases. The structures were studied using a TEM. It was observed that the temperature T_A and time τ_A of the isothermal transformation significantly influence the nature of the α and γ phases. The transformations are determined by the diffusion of carbon, and the maximum carbon content is approximately twice the equilibrium carbon content at the austenitising temperature. The lattice parameter of the α phase in the range of T_A studied decreases with increasing cooling time but increases in the upper bainite range. The increase in this lattice parameter results from the typical process of bainitic transformation during the retained austenite eutectoidal reaction (stage III). The crystal structure of the γ phase in the upper bainitic region is more perfect than in the lower range. Within the investigated temperature range of T_A, bainitic ferrite continually improves its crystal structure.

MST/3104     

Incomplete transformation of upper bainite in Nb bearing low carbon steels

Abstract

Kinetics and microstructure of bainite transformation in Fe–(0·15 or 0·05)C–0·2Si–1·5Mn (mass%) alloys with Nb addition of 0·03 mass%. Bainite transformation occurs at temperatures below 873 K. At 853 K, transformation rapidly proceeds by formation of bainitic ferrite without carbide precipitation, but transformation stasis appears for a certain period in the Nb added alloys leaving untransformed austenite film between neighbouring bainitic ferrites. On the other band, the Nb free alloys do not show such a stasis until the transformation is completed. By further holding, the transformation in the Nb added alloy restarts by forming the mixture of dislocation free ferrite with cementite precipitation in the austenite films. In contrast, bainite transformation accompanying cementite precipitation occurs in both Nb free and Nb added alloys at 773 K, resulting in no difference in transformation kinetics. It is proposed that the incomplete transformation is caused by suppression of ferrite nucleation at interphase boundaries between pre-existing bainitic ferrite and austenite due to Nb segregation.     

Critical assessment 20: on carbon excess in bainitic ferrite

For several decades, the question of carbon supersaturation in bainitic ferrite has attracted the attention of physical metallurgists. Originally, this was associated with excess carbon due to the displacive nature of phase transformation and its subsequent trapping at defects in bainitic ferrite. The development of advanced experimental techniques, such as atom probe tomography and in situ synchrotron and neutron X-ray diffraction, has provided new insights into carbon distribution within bainitic ferrite. Possible explanations for carbon excess in solid solution are discussed, and the pathways for the future advancement of this research question are suggested.     

Carbide-free bainite in medium carbon steel

Heat-treatment processes to obtain carbide-free upper bainite, low bainite and low-temperature bainite in the 34MnSiCrAlNiMo medium-carbon steel were explored. Results show that in the steel bainite transformation mainly goes through three stages: short incubation, explosive nucleation and slow growth. When transformation temperature, T > Ms + 75 °C, upper bainite consisted of catenary bainitic ferrite and blocky retained austenite is obtained in the steel. When Ms + 10 °C < T < Ms + 75 °C, lower bainite is the main morphology composed of lath-like bainitic ferrite and flake-like retained austenite. When T < Ms + 10 °C, the lower bainite, also known as low-temperature bainite, is obtained, which contains much thinner lath-like bainitic ferrite and film-like retained austenite. Mechanical testing results show that the lower the transformation temperature is, the better comprehensive performance is. The low-temperature bainite has the very high tensile strength and impact toughness simultaneously. The lower bainite has lower tensile strength and higher impact toughness. The upper bainite has higher tensile strength and lower impact toughness. The big difference of the mechanical performance between these kinds of bainite is mainly caused by interface morphology, size, and phase interface structure of the bainitic ferrite and the retained austenite. Additionally, when the bainite transformation temperature is decreased, the high-angle misorientation fraction in packets of bainite ferrite plates is increased. High-angle misorientation between phase interfaces can prevent crack propagation, and thus improves impact toughness.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of C–Si–Mn(–Nb) TRIP steels after simulated thermomechanical processing

Abstract

Continuous and discontinuous cooling tests were performed using a quench deformation dilatometer to develop a comprehensive understanding of the structural and kinetic aspects of the bainite transformation in low carbon TRIP (transformation induced plasticity) steels as a function of thermomechanical processing and composition. Deformation in the unrecrystallised austenite region refined the ferrite grain size and increased the ferrite and bainite transformation temperatures for cooling rates from 10 to 90 K s^-1. The influence of niobium on the transformation kinetics was also investigated. Niobium increases the ferrite start transformation temperature, refines the ferrite microstructure, and stimulates the formation of acicular ferrite. The effect of the bainite isothermal transformation temperature on the final microstructure of steels with and without a small addition of niobium was studied. Niobium promotes the formation of stable retained austenite, which influences the mechanical properties of TRIP steels. The optimum mechanical properties were obtained after isothermal holding at 400°C in the niobium steel containing the maximum volume fraction of retained austenite with acicular ferrite as the predominant second phase.     

Secondary hardened bainite

Abstract

The effect of Mo additions on the development of bainitic ferrite in hot rolled low carbon (0·05 wt-%C) Nb containing steel strips has been studied. The steel strips were fabricated by a combined process of controlled rolling and accelerated cooling. Microstructural characterisation and mechanical testing for the corresponding strips were investigated. The results indicated that a small amount of Mo addition (0·1–0·3 wt-%) causes the production of a high volume fraction of bainite, which undergoes significant secondary hardening after tempering treatment at 600°C for 1 h. It is noticeable that the secondary hardening effect provides an additional way to significantly increase the strength of low carbon Nb–Mo containing bainitic steels.