Austenite stability for quenching and partitioning treated steel revealed by colour tint-etching method

Abstract

The complex microstructures of quenching and partitioning treated (QP980) steel have been investigated using two-step colour tint-etching method and further verified by X-ray diffraction, electron backscattering diffraction, magnetisation measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The colour tint-etching method can quantitatively discriminate the ferrite, martensite and retained austenite by obviously colour differences. It is found that retained austenite was observed inside both martensite and ferrite, and the fraction of retained austenite in martensite was statistically higher but more scattering than that in ferrite. Moreover, the retained austenite in martensite is a little bit more stable than that in ferrite by comparing the change of volume fraction retained austenite in both phases after tension.     

前驱体对含Cu低碳钢I&Q&P处理后组织性能的影响

采用IQP工艺和EPMA、SEM和XRD等手段,研究了3种前驱体对含Cu低碳钢残余奥氏体含量及力学性能的影响。结果表明,双相区保温初期试验钢奥氏体长大由C配分控制,后期由合金元素Mn、Cu配分控制;双相区保温奥氏体化后,双相区配分后形成弥散分布的局部高浓度Mn、Cu区域仍保留富集效果,在随后的淬火-碳配分阶段易于形成残余奥氏体。经IQP处理后,前驱体为P+F的钢室温组织中马氏体板条较粗,原始奥氏体晶界并不明显;前驱体为F+M钢得到的马氏体板条有序细密;前驱体为M的钢室温组织中马氏体板条更加细密。其中,前驱体组织为M的钢中残余奥氏体量最高,延伸率为24.1%,强塑积可达25 338 MPa·%,综合性能最好。     

Improvement of mechanical properties in a dual-phase ferrite–martensite AISI4140 steel under tough-strong ferrite formation

This paper has been concerned to investigate in details the mechanical properties of AISI4140 heat treatable steel under ferrite–martensite dual-phase (DP) microstructures in conjunction with that of conventional quench-tempered (CQT) full martensitic condition. For this purpose, a wide variety of ferrite–martensite DP samples containing different volume fractions of ferrite and martensite microphases have been developed using step quenching heat treatment processes at 600 °C for 20–55 s holding times with the subsequent hot oil quenching after being austenitized at 860 °C for 60 min in the same situation as to the CQT condition. The finalized tempering heat treatment has been carried out at 600 °C for 30 min for both of direct quenched full martensitic and DP samples in order to optimize the strength–ductility combination. Light and electron microscopes have been used in conjunction with mechanical tests to assess the structure–property relationships in the DP and CQT heat treated samples. The experimental results indicate that the DP microstructures consisting about 7% volume fraction of fine grain boundary ferrite in the vicinity of martensite are associated with excellent mechanical properties in comparison to that of CQT condition. These observations are rationalized in terms of higher carbon concentration of the remaining metastable austenite leading to the harder martensite formation on the subsequent hot oil quenching, and so developing much harder ferrite grains as a consequence of more constraints induced in the ferrite grains during martensitic phase transformation in the remaining austenite adjacent to the ferrite area. The higher martensite volume fraction in the vicinity of thin continuous grain boundary ferrite network has been associated with the harder ferrite formation, causing higher work hardening behavior in the short time treated DP samples. Moreover, it has been found that in order to optimize the mechanical properties of ferrite–martensite DP samples, two independently parameters should be simultaneously controlled: one is the ferrite volume fraction and the other is ferrite morphology.     

Microstructural influence on the electrochemical corrosion behaviour of dual-phase steels in 3.5% NaCl solution

Galvanostatic corrosion behavior of five different dual-phase (DP) steels with varying morphologies and martensite content has been assessed in comparison to a ferrite–pearlite steel in 3.5% NaCl solution. It has been observed that both the amount of martensite and the morphology of the phase constituents have definite influence on the corrosion behaviour of DP steel. Higher corrosion tendency has been observed with increased amount of martensite and increased refinement of phase constituents.     

Bainite transformation during continuous cooling of low carbon microalloyed steel

Abstract

The evolution of the final microstructure for a low carbon Nb–Ti microalloyed plate steel was studied during a simulation of thermomechanical processing for hot rolling following by accelerated cooling. The effects of austenite deformation below the non-recrystallisation temperature T _NR, cooling rate, and interrupt temperature on the formation of conventional (intergranular) bainite (CB), acicular ferrite (intragranular) (AF), and martensite–austenite (MA) constituents were determined. With increases in austenite deformation and cooling rate, and decrease in the interrupt temperature, the final microstructure changed from a mixture of CB+MA through CB+AF+MA to a dual phase AF+MA.     

Microstructural evolution and tensile behaviour of medium carbon microalloyed steel processed through two thermomechanical routes

Abstract

A multiphase microstructure was obtained in a medium carbon microalloyed steel using two step cooling (TSC) from a lower than usual finish forging/rolling temperature (800–850°C). A low temperature anneal was then used to optimise the tensile properties. A multiphase microstructure (ferrite–bainite–martensite) resulted from forging as well as rolling. These were characterised using optical and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and hardness measurements were used for phase identification. Tensile properties and work hardening curves were obtained for both the forged and the rolled multiphase variants. A Jaoul–Crussard (J–C) analysis was carried out on the tensile data to understand the basic mode of deformation behaviour. Rolling followed by the TSC process produced a uniform microstructure with a very fine grain boundary allotriomorphic ferrite, in contrast to the forged variety, which contained in addition coarse idiomorphic ferrite. The volume fraction of ferrite and its contiguity ratio in the rolled microstructure were greater than in the forged grade. The rolled microstructure exhibited a better combination of strength and toughness than that of the forged material. The rolled steel work hardened more than the forged variety owing to its fine, uniform (bainite–martensite and ferrite) microstructure. Retained austenite present in these steels underwent a strain induced transformation to martensite during tensile deformation. The J–C analysis of the work hardening rates revealed typical three stage behaviour in both varieties during tensile deformation.     

Microlaminated dual phase steel presenting with high strength and ultrahigh toughness

In the present study, a steel with the chemical composition of Fe–0·15 wt-%C–5 wt-%Mn–3 wt-%Al was designed. Its microstructure and mechanical properties were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical tests. It was found that hot rolling in the dual phase region of ferrite and austenite at high temperature resulted in microlaminated dual phase microstructure. An excellent combination of high strength (～1200 MPa) and ultrahigh impact toughness (～400 J) of the microlaminated dual phase steel was obtained. Based on the measurement of the phase volume fraction and the analysis of the fractography, it was shown that the high strength was mainly dependent on the high martensite volume fraction, while the ultrahigh impact toughness was attributed to the microlaminated microstructure.     

Effects of ferrite grain size and martensite volume fraction on dynamic deformation behaviour of 0·15C–2·0Mn–0·2Si dual phase steels

Abstract

Effects of ferrite grain size and martensite volume fraction on quasistatic and dynamic deformation behaviour of 0·15C–2·0Mn–0·2Si dual phase steels were investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted on six steel specimens that had different ferrite grain sizes and martensite volume fractions, using a torsional Kolsky bar, and then the test data were compared in terms of microstructures, tensile properties, fracture mode, and adiabatic shear band formation. Under dynamic torsional loading, maximum shear stress and fracture shear strain increased with decreasing ferrite grain size and increasing martensite volume fraction. Observation of the deformed area beneath the fracture surface after the dynamic torsional test indicated that adiabatic shear bands of 5 to 15 μm in width were formed along the shear stress direction, and that voids or microcracks initiated at ferrites or martensite/ferrite interfaces below the shear band. The width of the shear band decreased as the ferrite grain size increased or the martensite volume fraction decreased. These phenomena were then analysed by introducing concepts of theoretical critical shear strain.     

Microstructure—Properties Correlation of Dual Phase Steels Produced by Controlled Rolling Process

The purpose of this research is to quantify the effects of compositional and processing parameters on the microstructure and properties of dual phase steel produced directly by hot rolling and rapid cooling.Steels with the base composition of 0.1%C,1.4%Si,and 1.0%Mn with additions of 0.5%Cr to influence hardenability,0.04%Nb to retard recrystallization in the latter stages of rolling,or 0.02% Ti to inhibit grain growth during and after reheating were investigated.Investigation was made to predict microstructure evolution and to correlate microstructure with processing parameters.The effects of the important microstructure parameters such as ferrite grain size,martensite volume fraction (VM) and morphology (polygonal or fibrous) on the tensile and impact properties are discussed.Multiple linear regression analysis of the ultimate tensile strength has shown that,increasing VM and martensite microhardness and grain refinement of ferrite are the major contributions to increase the strength of the steel.It was found that the dual-phase steel produced by controlled rolling process,with a microstructure which consisted of fine grained ferrite(4μm) and 35%-40% fibrous martensite,presented optimum tensile and impact properties because of enhanced resistance to crack propagation.     

Microstructural engineering and strength-impact toughness prediction in ultra-low carbon bainitic steel

The strength–toughness combination of an ultra-low carbon, low alloyed ‘air-cooled’ steel has been enhanced by developing and refining the granular bainite (GB) structure. Suitable alloy design and thermo-mechanical treatment involving forging, austenitisation (950–1150°C) and air-cooling resulted in the formation of GB matrix along with small islands of martensite–austenite constituents and allotriomorphic ferrite grains. Microstructural characterisation and phase transformation behaviour were studied by scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction analysis. The effect of microstructural parameters on the strength-impact toughness combination was investigated. The steel showed an exceptionally low yield ratio, which is beneficial for seismic resistance application.     

回火温度对两相区退火海工钢组织和性能的影响

对690 MPa级海工钢进行“淬火+两相区退火+回火”三步热处理,研究了回火温度对其组织和性能的影响、分析了力学性能变化与组织演变和残余奥氏体体积分数之间的关系。结果表明：回火后实验钢的显微组织为回火贝氏体/马氏体、临界铁素体和残余奥氏体的混合组织。随着回火温度的提高贝氏体/马氏体和临界铁素体逐渐分解成小尺寸晶粒,而残余奥氏体的体积分数逐渐增加;屈服强度由787 MPa降低到716 MPa,塑性和低温韧性明显增强,断后伸长率由20.30%增至29.24%,-40℃下的冲击功由77 J提升至150 J。残余奥氏体体积分数的增加引起裂纹扩展功增大,是低温韧性提高的主要原因。贝氏体/马氏体的分解和残余奥氏体的生成,引起组织细化、晶粒内低KAM值位错的比例逐渐提高和小角度晶界峰值的频率增大,使材料的塑性和韧性显著提高。     

Fatigue Crack Propagation in Plain Carbon Dual-phase Steel

The effect of volume fraction V_M and carboncontent(%C)_M of martensite was studied on the fa-tigue crack propagation behaviour of plain carbonmartensite plus ferrite M+F dual-phase steel.Theexperimental results show that the △K_(th)decreasesand da/dn increases with increasing V_M and(%C)_M at a load ratio R=0.05.High△K_(th)valuesare obtained by obvious crack closing ability causedby high roughness of the fractured surfaces.     

高强热轧双相钢中组织对性能的影响

采用低成本成分设计,应用超快冷技术为核心的新一代TMCP技术可以得到强韧性较好的高强热轧双相钢,本文研究了该试验钢组织对性能的影响。研究表明:铁素体晶粒尺寸在5μm处波动;条状马氏体比块状马氏体的n值要高;抗拉强度随马氏体体积分数的增加而增加;组织中小尺寸的铁素体和马氏体提高了裂纹弛豫能力,有利于试样的韧性和n值的提高。     

TRIP钢冲压成形过程中马氏体相变特性研究及其仿真

结合材料四相特性及板料的各向异性,构建TRIP钢应力应变关系及屈服准则,基于Tomita and Iwanmoto（TI）理论模型,建立TRIP钢本构关系,实现其冲压成形过程仿真。实验结果表明四相硬化混合准则可以准确描述含有TRIP钢硬化特性。单向拉伸实验、平面拉伸实验结果同计算结果比较说明相变模型可以定量预测变形过程...     

DISLOCATION SUBSTRUCTURES IN FERRITE OF PLAIN CARBON DUAL-PHASE STEELS AFTER FATIGUE FRACTURE

Abstract— The dislocation substructures of ferrite in plain carbon, ferrite plus martensite, dual-phase steels in different stages of fatigue crack propagation were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results show that the dislocations are in random arrays in the ferrite before cyclic loading. At stages of low Δ K (near threshold) values, parallel clusters of dislocations and prolonged dislocation lines can be observed. At stages of intermediate Δ K values, the dislocations are rearranged into networks and loops while at stages of high Δ K (prior to failure) values, they are changed into dislocation cells or patches. It was also found that the volume fraction and carbon content of martensite have significant effects on the dislocation substructures of ferrite after cyclic deformation.     

Characteristics of shear banding in dual phase steel

Abstract

The evolution process of shear banding in a ferrite–martensite dual phase steel has been investigated via in situ tensile testing in a scanning electron microscope. Shear band type deformation localisation occurs at the maximum loading point of uniaxial tension. Necking occurs simultaneously and locally. Voids nucleate in ferrite domains and on the interfaces between the two component phases or grain boundaries. The void volume fraction is greater within the shear band than away from the band and is greater in the interior than at the specimen surface. The results also show that void damage promotes the initiation of shear bands and the development of shear banding stimulates further void damage.

MST/1819     

Microscopic deformation behaviour of martensitic–ferritic dual-phase steels

Abstract

The deformation behaviour of the two phases of three plain carbon dual–phase steels after various treatments has been studied using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a tensile straining stage. The distribution of strains between the ferrite and martensite phases, as well as among the different grains of each phase, was observed to be inhomogeneous. The martensite/ferrite strain ratio, which defines the degree of uniformity of straining between the phases, depends on the microstructural parameters of the steels: it increases with increasing volume fraction of martensite, but decreases as the carbon content of the martensite increases. Tempering at various temperatures causes a decrease in the martensite/ferrite microhardness ratio and hence causes an increase in the strain ratio. The macroscopic strain of the specimen at which the martensite begins to deform was also found to be dependent on the microstructural parameters. Regions of applicability of the existing theories of the strength of dual–phase steels can be estimated according to the deformation condition of the martensite.

MST/235     

Hybrid Friction Stir Welding of High-carbon Steel

A high-carbon steel joint,SK5(0.84 wt% C),was successfully welded by friction stir welding(FSW),both without and with a gas torch,in order to control the cooling rate during welding.After welding,the weld zone comprised gray and black regions,corresponding to microstructural variation:a martensite structure and a duplex structure of ferrite and cementite,respectively.The volume fraction of the martensite structure and the Vickers hardness in the welds were decreased with the using of the gas torch,which was related with the lower cooling rate.     

The role of Cu and Al addition on the microstructure and fracture characteristics in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steels with superior toughness

The effects of Cu and Al addition on the microstructure and fracture in the coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of high-strength low-alloy steels with superior toughness were studied and compared with the X70 pipeline base steel counterpart. The microstructure in base steel was dominated by a small fraction of acicular ferrite and predominantly bainite. However, acicular ferrite microstructure was obtained in Cu-bearing steel, which nucleated on complex oxide with outer layer of MnS and CuS because of Cu addition. The microstructure in Al-bearing steel consisted of bainite with ultrafine martensite–austenite constituent, which was refined by Al addition. CGHAZ in Cu-bearing and Al-bearing steels had superior impact toughness and ductile fracture, which were attributed to acicular ferrite and ultrafine martensite–austenite constituent, respectively.     

Effects of microstructural variables on the deformation behaviour of dual-phase steel

An expression for the stress of martensite in dual-phase steel was developed, which shows the interdependence of the stress of martensite and strain hardening in the ferrite matrix and the contribution of microstructural variables (the volume fraction of martensite f_m, ferrite grain size d_f, and martensite particle size d_m). The onset of plastic deformation of martensite in dual-phase steel was predicted to depend on its yield strength and the microstructural variables, and this was verified by the modified Crussard-Jaoul analysis. It was found that for this dual-phase steel, refining the grain size and increasing f_m increase the flow stress and raise the strain hardening rate at low strains, but little affect the strain hardening rate at high strains. The effect of the ferrite grain size on the flow stress of this dual-phase steel was found to obey the Hall-Petch relation, i.e. σ = σ₀^e + K^ed_f^−1/2, where the Hall-Petch intersection σ₀^e and slope K^e are functions of strain, f_m and d_m. The effects of the plastic deformation of martensite and the microstructural variables on the strain hardening rate and the Hall-Petch behaviour were analysed in terms of the densities of statistically stored dislocations and geometrically necessary dislocations using the previously developed theoretical model.