Roles of bulk carbon content on grain size,carbide reactions and intergranular rupture life in 2.25cr martensitic heat resistant steels

The steel of a higher bulk carbon content shows the denser precipitation distribution of carbides after the solution treatment followed by tempering. Such a carbide distribution produces the smaller prior austenite grain size after the welding simulation at a high temperature. Because the equilibrium segregation concentration of phosphorus decreases with decreasing prior austenite grain size, the specimen of the higher bulk carbon content shows therefore the longer intergranular rupture life. The rupture life is also increased by the partitioning of phosphorus pre-segregated at prior austenite grain boundary/carbide interfaces onto the fresh surface of precipitates formed on the surface of pre-formed carbides. The intergranular rupture life is additionally increased by the repulsive segregation between carbon and phosphorus which decreases the overall phosphorus segregation concentration at the prior austenite grain boundaries.     

Nanoscale austenite reversion through partitioning,segregation and kinetic freezing: Example of a ductile 2 GPa Fe–Cr–C steel

Austenite reversion during tempering of a Fe–13.6 Cr–0.44 C (wt.%) martensite results in an ultra-high-strength ferritic stainless steel with excellent ductility. The austenite reversion mechanism is coupled to the kinetic freezing of carbon during low-temperature partitioning at the interfaces between martensite and retained austenite and to carbon segregation at martensite–martensite grain boundaries. An advantage of austenite reversion is its scalability, i.e. changing tempering time and temperature tailors the desired strength–ductility profiles (e.g. tempering at 400 °C for 1 min produces a 2 GPa ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and 14% elongation while 30 min at 400 °C results in a UTS of ～1.75 GPa with an elongation of 23%). The austenite reversion process, carbide precipitation and carbon segregation have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron back-scatter diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography in order to develop the structure–property relationships that control the material’s strength and ductility.     

55SiCr弹簧钢中的残留奥氏体与碳化物

通过扫描电镜(SEM)、电子背散射衍射(EBSD)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、热膨胀仪、洛氏硬度计等手段研究了弹簧钢55SiCr的组织和相变点以及残留奥氏体和碳化物在热处理过程中的组织演变。结果表明:55SiCr弹簧钢淬火后残留奥氏体以块状分布在基体上;随回火温度的升高,残留奥氏体减少并呈粒状和薄膜状分布;C在残留奥氏体中富集,使其稳定性增强;Si抑制了碳化物的析出,提高了残留奥氏体的稳定性。低温回火时,Si延缓了渗碳体析出;高温回火时,C原子扩散速率提高,促进渗碳体析出,引起体积的收缩。慢速加热回火时,C有足够的时间扩散,从而促进渗碳体的形成,使渗碳体的形成温度提前;快速加热回火时,C来不及扩散,抑制了渗碳体的析出。回火加热速率一样时,试验钢的硬度随回火温度的提高而下降。当回火温度为400 ℃时,硬度值最大为51 HRC;当回火温度为650 ℃时,硬度值最小为37 HRC。当加热速率为0.1 ℃/s时,硬度值最小为33 HRC;当加热速率为200 ℃/s时,硬度值最大为40 HRC。     

Effect of Si addition on kinetics of martensitic hot-work die steel during tempering

Dilatometry measurement, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and a three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) are utilized to study how adding Si affects the kinetics of martensitic steel during tempering. The results show that both the tempering transformation temperature and the activation energy of martensitic hot-work die steel increase remarkably when Si is added. Meanwhile, the film-type retained austenite and the Si-rich region adjacent to the carbides are each observed in tempered martensitic steels. The results suggest that coarsening of carbides is efficiently inhibited and softening of steels is sufficiently delayed.     

Effect of phosphorus segregation on fracture properties of 2.25Cr-1Mo pressure vessel steel

Phosphorus is a very common trace element that can segregate at prior austenite grain boundaries and/or carbide/matrix interfaces of low alloy steels at high temperature (e.g., order of 500 °C) and adversely affect the fracture properties. This paper investigates segregation of P during reversible temper embrittlement (96 h at 520 °C) of quenched and fully tempered 2.25Cr-1Mo steel by Auger electron spectroscopy and describes the segregation mechanism. This paper also describes the effect of P segregation on fracture resistance and fracture mode of unembrittled steels, respectively, by fracture toughness testing over a temperature range of −196 °C to 20 °C and fractography in scanning electron microscopes. During temper embrittlement phosphorus segregation has been attributed due to the mechanism of “carbide rejection”. This segregation caused a reduction in fracture toughness values of the quenched and tempered steels at all test temperatures and an increase in the transition temperature. Phosphorus segregation also changed the brittle fracture micromechanism of quenched and fully tempered samples from one of transgranular cleavage to a mixed mode of fracture (transgranular cleavage and intergranular decohesion). The micromechanism of fracture at temperatures from the upper shelf, however, remained almost unchanged.     

回火温度对1100 MPa钢组织和性能的影响

采用低碳+Nb、Ti、B、Cr、Mo、Ni成分体系,利用SEM、TEM等研究不同回火温度下试验钢的组织和力学性能变化。结果表明:220 ℃回火,马氏体发生分解,马氏体板条束变粗,束内板条逐渐合并,残留奥氏体逐渐分解,位错密度大幅度下降,淬火带来的内应力得到释放,试验钢具有最佳的综合力学性能。300 ℃回火,碳化物在奥氏体晶界或回火马氏体板条间大量聚集、长大,降低了晶界、板条间的结合力,出现了回火脆性。     

The Kinetics of Phase Transformations During Tempering in Laser Melted High Chromium Cast Steel

The precipitation of secondary carbides in the laser melted high chromium cast steels during tempering at 300-650?°C for 2?h in air furnace was characterized and the present phases was identified, by using transmission electron microscopy. Laser melted high chromium cast steel consists of austenitic dendrites and interdendritic M₂₃C₆ carbides. The austenite has such a strong tempering stability that it remains unchanged at temperature below 400?°C and the secondary hardening phenomenon starts from 450?°C to the maximum value of 672 HV at 560?°C. After tempering at 450?°C fine M₂₃C₆ carbides precipitate from the supersaturated austenite preferentially. In addition, the dislocation lines and slip bands still exist inside the austenite. While tempering at temperature below 560?°C, the secondary hardening simultaneously results from the martensite phase transformation and the precipitation of carbides as well as dislocation strengthening within a refined microstructure. Moreover, the formation of the ferrite matrix and large quality of coarse lamellar M₃C carbides when the samples were tempered at 650?°C contributes to the decrease of hardness.     

Grain boundary embrittlement by Mn and eutectoid reaction in binary Fe–12Mn steel

The grain boundary embrittlement in a binary Fe–12Mn is due to the grain boundary segregation of Mn. During tempering at 400 °C (higher than the equilibrium eutectoid reaction temperature 247 °C), reverted austenite particles were formed at lath and grain boundaries through the equilibrium reaction of lath martensite to ferrite + austenite. Surprisingly, hydrostatic pressure, which is induced by the transformation of epsilon martensite to austenite during heating at the tempering temperature, resulted in the nonequilibrium eutectoid reaction producing α-Mn precipitates at the interface between lath martensite and the transformed austenite during the tempering. The segregation concentration kinetics of Mn formed a convex profile due to the active grain boundary precipitation of the reverted austenite particles and the α-Mn particles, which act as a sink for the segregated Mn. Finally, the convex segregation profile of Mn corresponded to the concave profile of intergranular fracture strength.     

Relationship Between Microstructure and Corrosion Behavior of Cr12Ni3Co12Mo4W Ultra-High-Strength Martensitic Stainless Steel

The effect of tempering temperature on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of Cr12Ni3Co12Mo4W ultra-high-strength martensitic stainless steel was investigated using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical tests. The microstructures of the ultra-high-strength martensitic stainless steel consisted of some retained austenite and lath/plant martensite with the carbides distributed within the matrix and at the grain boundaries. Tempering of the steel for 4 h at various temperatures resulted in various carbide grain sizes and different amounts of the retained austenite. The results showed that larger carbide grains led to diminished corrosion resistance, whereas larger amounts of the retained austenite resulted in improved corrosion resistance. The steels exhibited good corrosion resistance in 0.017 mol/L NaCl solution and exhibited pitting corrosion in 0.17 mol/L Na Cl solution. The martensite and prior austenite crystal boundaries dissolved in solution with pH 1.     

回火温度对40CrNiMo调质钢CMT堆焊HAZ组织性能的影响

针对海洋钻井平台齿轮的修复问题,采用冷金属过渡(CMT)技术在40CrNiMo调质钢表面进行堆焊,利用扫描电镜、显微硬度测试、冲击性能测试和拉伸性能测试等手段,研究了焊后回火温度对40CrNiMo调质钢堆焊热影响区(HAZ)组织和性能的影响。结果表明:随着焊后回火温度的升高,焊接热影响区的硬度逐渐下降,堆焊试样的抗拉强度逐渐下降,伸长率逐渐提高。焊后回火温度为400 ℃和500 ℃时,析出的碳化物在马氏体的条界、束界和晶界上分布,恶化了堆焊试样的冲击性能;焊后回火温度为600 ℃时,碳化物聚集长大和球化,并愈发弥散分布,从而改善了冲击性能。     

回火温度对Q1100超高强钢组织和性能的影响

采用力学性能测试、显微组织观察、扫描电镜观察,研究回火温度对Q1100超高强钢组织和性能的影响规律。结果表明:试验钢900 ℃保温后水淬再200~300 ℃回火后,为回火板条马氏体组织;在 400 ℃和500 ℃回火后,为回火屈氏体组织;在600 ℃回火后,为回火索氏体组织。试验钢具有较高的回火稳定性,在400~600 ℃回火时,α铁素体仍保持板条马氏体的形状和位向。在200 ℃回火后,小角度晶界含量较多,阻碍微裂纹扩展,韧性较好,随着回火温度的升高,小角度晶界占比逐渐减少,在400 ℃回火后,小角度晶界占比较少,碳化物的析出恶化试验钢的韧性,发生了回火脆性,韧性最差,500 ℃和600 ℃回火后,试验钢的小角度晶界占比较400 ℃相差不明显,但试验钢回复程度较大且600 ℃回火发生部分再结晶,回火软化作用较大,韧性较高。当回火温度为200 ℃时,试验钢具有最佳的综合性能,屈服强度为1164.38 MPa,抗拉强度为1429.70 MPa,断后伸长率为14.66%,硬度为430.27 HV3,标准试样-40 ℃冲击吸收能量为92.30 J。     

淬火与回火工艺对42CrMo钢显微组织和奥氏体晶粒长大规律的影响

研究了860～940℃淬火与200～600℃回火对42CrMo钢显微组织的影响,并用金相截线法对奥氏体晶粒尺寸进行测量,建立了42CrMo钢奥氏体晶粒生长动力学方程。结果表明,随着淬火温度和保温时间的增加,42CrMo钢中残留碳化物数量明显减少,碳化物由片状逐渐变为颗粒状。随着淬火温度的升高,板条马氏体组织变得越来越均匀细小。随着回火温度的升高,钢的显微组织向回火屈氏体、回火索氏体转变,当回火温度为600℃时,得到的回火索氏体组织更均匀密集。基于Beck模型的42CrMo钢奥氏体晶粒生长规律的拟合结果,得出奥氏体晶粒长大激活能为2.62×10³ J·mol^-1。     

锯片基材75Cr1钢的热处理工艺及其组织性能

研究了锯片基材75Cr1钢不同热处理工艺下的组织、晶粒度、碳化物分布以及力学性能。结果表明:780~840 ℃之间淬火,组织为细小的针片马氏体+少量残留奥氏体。随淬火温度升高,硬度略有升高,但均在63 HRC水平附近,晶粒度由10级降至8级,晶粒不均匀程度也更加明显;随回火温度升高,组织由回火屈氏体转变为回火索氏体,细小的颗粒状碳化物增多。800 ℃淬火+540 ℃回火,75Cr1钢组织为回火索氏体,细小碳化物弥散分布,硬度36.5 HRC,具有良好的强度和塑韧性匹配。     

回火温度对工程机械用超高强钢组织及回火脆性的影响

通过SEM、TEM、-20 ℃夏比V型冲击试验等分析手段研究了回火温度对工程机械用超高强钢微观组织及回火脆性的影响,并结合断口特征及微观组织分析裂纹扩展路径。结果表明,试验钢在200~500 ℃回火时,随着回火温度的升高,马氏体分解后形成的碳化物的析出位置从马氏体板条内逐步过渡到原始奥氏体晶界和马氏体板条界,其形状由针状变为粒状,并不断粗化。回火温度为200 ℃和500 ℃时,冲击试样断口的不稳定断裂区为韧性断裂。300 ℃回火时,出现了回火脆性,其冲击试样断口的不稳定断裂区为准解理断裂,裂纹扩展路径相对平直。微观组织分析发现,在原始奥氏体晶界及马氏体板条界析出大量的针状碳化物,这些碳化物提供了裂纹形核位置,促进了裂纹扩展,导致了回火脆性的产生。     

Tempered martensite embrittlement in a 32NiCrMoV125 steel

This study focused on tempered martensite embrittlement in a 32NiCrMoV125 steel through examination of the effects of austenite grain size and tempering temperature on the mechanical properties and fracture morphology of this material. Two different austenite grain sizes were obtained by austenitizing at 870 and 950 °C. After quenching, the specimens were tempered in the temperature range of 200–650 °C. The results obtained in this research indicate that by increasing the tempering temperature, the strength and hardness decrease, but ductility increases. However, impact testing indicated that tempered martensite embrittlement occurred when samples were tempered in the range of 250–400 °C. Fractography revealed intergranular and quasi-cleavage fracture. In summary, increasing the austenite grain size decreased strength, but increased impact toughness, except for samples tempered between 200 and 350 °C.     

Combination of TEM and 3D atom probe study of microstructure and alloy carbide in a Nb-V micro-alloyed steel tempered at 650 °C

3D atom probe (3DAP) combined with TEM is applied to characterize the nanostructure and composition of coarsening carbides that precipitate in a Nb-V micro-alloyed steel tempered at 650 °C for 4 h. The results indicate that high temperature tempering of the as-quenched lath-like martensitic structures leads to the coarsening of alloyed carbide in the recovered ferritic matrix. TEM characterization and EDS analysis show that the alloy carbides are typically spherical or ellipsoidal and are enriched with V, Nb and Mo. Crystallographic lattice overlap and distortion create a distinct optical Moiré pattern at the carbide/matrix boundary, as observed by HRTEM. 3DAP gives the compositional distribution at atomic scale in the coarsening carbide and the surrounding matrix. Non-carbide-forming elements such as Si and Al are depleted in the carbide and are enriched at the carbide/matrix heterophase interface. Carbide-forming elements such as Mn, V, Mo and Nb distribute heterogeneously in the whole carbide, leading to the formation of a Mn-, V- and Mo-enriched core and Mo-enriched external shell.     

深冷处理后回火温度对15Cr超级马氏体不锈钢组织及耐点蚀性能的影响

利用场发射扫描电镜、透射电镜以及电化学综合测试系统对15Cr超级马氏体不锈钢(SMSS)经不同热处理工艺处理后的显微组织变化和第二相碳化物及其对该钢腐蚀行为的影响进行了研究。结果表明,试验钢经不同热处理工艺处理后组织均由板条马氏体、奥氏体以及M₂₃C₆型碳化物颗粒组成,随着回火温度的增加,试验钢中逆变奥氏体含量增加,且在650 ℃回火时达到体积分数最大值41.41%。当回火温度高于600 ℃时第二相碳化物开始析出,且650 ℃回火后碳化物数量及尺寸较600 ℃增多。点蚀电位随着回火温度的增加而降低,第二相碳化物的析出降低了试验钢的点蚀电位,促进了亚稳点蚀位置的形成,从而降低了试验钢的耐腐蚀性能。     

过渡族金属碳化物在WC-Co硬质合金中的界面偏析与固溶行为

过渡族金属碳化物是最常见的硬质合金微观组织结构与性能调控添加剂,添加剂在硬质合金中赋存状态的研究是WC晶粒生长抑制机理研究的基础,也是硬质合金材料与工艺设计的基础。从基于第一性原理计算的理论研究、基于高分辨透射电镜和原子探针层析法的实验观察分析等2个方面,综述了过渡族金属碳化物在WC/β(钴基固溶体粘结相)相界偏析行为的研究现状。基于过渡族金属碳化物在硬质合金中晶界与相界的偏析行为、在硬质相与粘结相中的固溶行为,讨论了硬质合金中WC晶粒生长机理与晶粒生长抑制机理以及过渡族金属碳化物对硬质合金性能的影响机理,提出了硬质合金材料与工艺设计的建议。     

Atom probe tomography and nano secondary ion mass spectroscopy investigation of the segregation of boron at austenite grain boundaries in 0.5 wt.% carbon steels

The grain boundary segregation of boron atoms in high strength low alloy steels containing 50 ppm boron was accomplished using atom probe tomography (APT) and nano-beam secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The formation of boro-carbides under an excessive addition of boron to the steels was identified through the SIMS and TEM. The APT was performed in order to evaluate the composition of the alloying elements, such as, boron and carbon, segregated at prior austenite grain boundaries. The boron contents at the prior austenite grain boundaries were approximately 1.7 ± 0.2 at.%, which was approximately 70 times more than the amount of boron added to the steels.     

Effect of single and double austenitization treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 16Cr-2Ni steel

Double austenitization (DA) treatment is found to yield the best combination of strength and toughness in both low-temperature as well as high-temperature tempered conditions as compared to single austenitization (SA) treatments. Obtaining the advantages of double austenitization (DA) to permit dissolution of alloy carbides without significant grain coarsening was attempted in AISI 431 type martensitic stainless steel. Structure-property correlation after low-temperature tempering (200 °C) as well as high-temperature double tempering (650+600 °C) was carried out for three austenitization treatments through SA at 1000 °C, SA at 1070 °C, and DA at 1070+1000 °C. While the increase in strength after DA treatment and low-temperature tempering at 200 °C is due to the increased amount of carbon in solution as a result of dissolution of alloy carbides during first austenitization, the increased toughness is attributable to the increased quantity of retained austenite. After double tempering (650+600 °C), strength and toughness are mainly found to depend on the precipitation and distribution of carbides in the microstructure and the grain size effect.