A metallographic study of the influence of the austenite grain size on martensite kinetics

The effects of the austenite grain size on the kinetics of ‘athermal’ martensite in Fe 31.9 Ni-0.02C were studied by methods of quantitative metallography. The kinetics of the process of propagation of the reaction was also investigated. A simple model is presented which describes the data adequately. It is concluded that the finer the austenite grain size, the more important is the influence of propagation in determining the over-all reaction kinetics. The results were also found compatible with the mechanism of propagation by stimulation across the grain and twin boundaries of the austenite.     

The effect of austenite grain size on microcracking in martensite of an Fe-1.22C alloy

Austenitic grain sizes of ASTM No. 9 and coarser were produced in an Fe-1.22 pct C alloy austenitized by immersion in molten lead at 1640†F (893°C), a temperature just above theA _cm for this alloy, for periods between 20 s and 1 h. Microcracking sensitivity,Sv, measured as crack area/unit volume martensite, was determined as a function of grain size in brine quenched specimens. Two locations of microcracks were observed in this investigation: 1) intragranular, resulting from the impingement of one martensite plate with another, and 2) grain boundary or intergranular resulting from the impingement of martensite plates at prior austenite grain boundaries. Intragranular microcracking sensitivity, the subject of previous investigations, increased and became the dominant type of cracking with increasing grain size, and reached a constant level for grain sizes of ASTM No. 4.5 and coarser. Total microcracking sensitivity, consisting of both intragranular and grain boundary microcracks, also increased with increasing grain size, then decreased to approach the intragranular value for grain sizes coarser than ASTM No. 3.5. On the other end of the scale, grain boundary microcracking made up a much larger proportion of the total microcracking in the fine grained specimens.     

Influence of austenite and martensite strength on martensite morphology

The martensite morphology and austenite flow strength have been determined in a variety of ferrous alloys chosen so that the austenites were paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, substitutional strengthened, and interstitial strengthened. It is demonstrated that two of the most important variables in determining the habit plane (and thus morphology) of martensite in a given alloy are the resistances to dislocation motion in austenite and in ferrite (i. e., martensite). In the wide variety of alloys where martensite with a {259}_γ habit plane was observed, the austenite flow strength atM _s is greater than 30,000 psi. At lower austenite strengths, either {225}_γ or {111}_γ habit planes are found depending on the resistance to dislocation motion in ferrite. Thus, {225} martensites are not always found as part of the spectrum between {111} and {259} martensites but only in the cases (e. g., interstitial strengthening) where ferrite is preferentially strengthened relative to austenite. All of the observations are consistent with the idea that the habit plane observed in a given alloy is the one involving the minimum plastic work for the lattice invariant shear.     

Effects of austenitizing temperature and austenite grain size on the formation of athermal martensite in an iron-nickel and an iron-nickel-carbon alloy

The effects of austenitizing conditions on the kinetics at the start of martensite formation in Fe-31Ni and Fe-31 Ni-0.28C alloys have been studied using electrical-resistance measurements during cooling of the specimens to follow the course of the transformation. The primary object of the study was to decide whether or not a change in austenitizing temperature, in the absence of a change in austenite grain size, has any effect on the Ms temperature or the burst characteristics of athermal martensite. It is concluded that it does not, suggesting that the potential nuclei (embryos) of martensite are mechanically stable crystal defects. Another interesting observation is that when the austenite grain size is small, the M_b temperature increases with increasing grain size and the burst is always small. When the austenite grains are coarse, the M_b temperature is independent of the grain size and the burst is large. It is suggested that this phenomenon is a result of the elastic shear stress concentration being related to the size of the first martensite plate and, in turn, to the size of the austenite grain. M. Umemoto, formerly a Graduate Student in the Department of Materials Science at Northwestern University W. S. Owen, formerly at Northwestern University     

Correlation of isothermal bainite transformation and austenite stability in quenching and partitioning steels

The possible decomposition of metastable austenite during the partitioning process in the highend quenching and partitioning(QP)steels is somewhat neglected by most researchers.The effects of primary martensite and alloying elements including manganese,cobalt and aluminum on the isothermal decomposition of austenite during typical QP process were studied by dilatometry.The transformation kinetics was studied systematically and resulting microstructures were discussed in details.The results suggested that the primary martensite decreased the incubation period of isothermal decomposition by accelerating the nucleation process owing to dislocations especially on phase and grain boundaries.This effect can be eliminated by a flash heating which recovered dislocations.Co addition significantly promoted the bainite transformation during partitioning while Al and Mn suppressed the isothermal bainite transformation.The bainite transformation played an important role in carbon distribution during partitioning,and hence the amount and stability of austenite upon final quenching.The bainite transformation during partitioning is an important factor in optimizing the microstructure in QP steels.     

The influence of austenite grain size and its distribution on chip deformation and tool life during machining of AISI 304L

In this article, the influence of austenite grain size and its distribution on chip deformation and tool life during machining of AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel bar is examined. Hot-forged bar and the quenched bars (at different quenching temperatures, 1050 °C, 1100 °C, 1150 °C, and 1200 °C) are machined at a high cutting speed. It was noted that the inhomogeneous distribution of grain size in the surface area, within a depth of 15 mm of the workpiece, resulted in tool edge breakage and lower tool life when machining the hot-forged bar compared with all of the quenched bars. In addition, a slight decrease in tool life was observed as the grain size increased in the quenched bars. The chip studies revealed that a higher segment height ratio of chip was gained when machining the hot-forged bar, compared to machining the quenched bars, due to the inhomogeneous distribution of grain size. Moreover, the thickness of the secondary shear zone was reduced as the grain size increased. Interestingly, it was noticed that the chip work hardened during the machining process due to strain-induced twinning and ɛ martensite transformation. The studies of tool wear and failure revealed that a crack was initiated on the flank face at the interface between the deposited workpiece and the tool substrate when machining the hot-forged bar. This crack was formed due to either the thermal and mechanical fatigue or plastic deformation of the tool substrate. The fatigue crack propagated into the tool substrate through the decohesion of interface between carbides. The criterion of tool life when machining all of the quenched bars was normal flank wear. Based on the studies of chip deformation and the mechanisms for tool wear and failure, the effects of austenite grain size and its distribution on tool life were explained.     

The effect of austenite ordering on the martensite transformation in Fe-Pt alloys near the composition Fe3Pt: I. Morphology and transformation characteristics

Fe-Pt alloys near the composition Fe₃Pt transform from fee austenite to bcc martensite at near ambient temperatures. The effect of austenite ordering in depressing theM _s temperature has been reported previously, but more importantly the present work shows that ordering leads to a reversible martensitic transformation. The characteristics of this reversible transformation have been investigated by optical metallography, cinematography, and electrical resistivity measurements. It is concluded that in austenite ordered to an appropriate degree, the transformation to martensite possesses all of the characteristics of a thermoelastic martensite transformation. This transformation in ordered Fe~25 at. pct Pt alloys is the first thermoelastic martensite transformation reported for an iron-base alloy. The present experiments indicate that martensite “nuclei” are not destroyed by the transformation, and are reactivated on each cooling cycle at approximately the same temperature. D. P. DUNNE, formerly with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, 111. 61801     

Transformation of austenite into bainitic ferrite and martensite

The stress induced martensitic transformation in the upper metastable intermediate state of γ-α transformation in ferrous materials, structured as ferritic bainite, is discussed. The fibrous structured ferritic bainite consists of retained austenite and ferrite platelets growing in the [111]α//[101]γ direction. The ferrite growth Induces carbon enrichment of the adjacent austenite at the phase boundaries. Strengthening at high stress levels up to the yield point causes dislocation tangles in the ferrite fibre and the formation of shear bands crossing each other in the retained austenite. At lower carbon contents of the austenite, lath martensite precipitates at the shear band intersections and at high shear band densities martensite blocks are observed. In carbon enriched austenite martensite lenses formed by shear processes have been observed. At alternating loading conditions, exceeding the stress level for athermic martensite formation, various shear planes are activated forming characteristic patterns of plate martensite.     

The influence of austenite strength upon the austenite-martensite transformation in alloy steels

The resistance of austenite to plastic deformation (austenite flow stress) was measured using a high temperature tensile apparatus. The flow stress was then correlated with the M_s temperature as determined magnetically during subsequent cooling. In one part of the study, the flow stress of the austenite was varied only by work hardening the austenite, allowing the austenite composition, which is known to affect M_s, to be held constant. A decrease in M_s temperature with increasing austenite flow stress was observed. This observation was supported by the observation of a decrease in the amount of austenite transformed at 25°C. In the other part of the study, a series of alloy steels of different chemical compositions was tested. A decrease in M_s temperature with increasing austenite flow stress was again observed. Strengthening of austenite by plastic deformation was shown not to change the chemical driving force for transformation. The effect of deformation on M_s temperature thus results from its influence on either the nucleation or the growth process. While the effect of austenite deformation on martensite nucleation is uncertain, specific nucleation models can account for only approximately one-third of the nonchemical free energy change which accompanies transformation. A proposal, consistent with the observations, was made that the energy expended for the deformation of austenite during martensite plate growth could reasonably account for a substantial part of the nonchemical free energy change.     

The relationship between austenite strength and the transformation to martensite in Fe-10 pct Ni-0.6 pct C alloys

The effect of austenite yield strength on the transformation to martensite was investigated in Fe-10 pct Ni-0.6 pct C alloys. The strength of the austenite was varied by 1) additions of yttrium oxide particles to the base alloy and 2) changing the austenitizing temperature. The austenite strength was measured at three temperatures above theM _s temperature and the data extrapolated to the experimentally determinedM _s temperature. It is shown that the austenite yield strength is determined primarily by the austenite grain size and that the yttrium oxide additions influence the effect of austenitizing temperature on grain size. As the austenite yield strength increases, both theM _s temperature and the amount of transformation product at room temperature decrease. The effect of austenitizing temperature on the transformation is to determine the austenite grain size. The results are consistent with the proposal¹ that the energy required to overcome the resistance of the austenite to plastic deformation is a substantial portion of the non-chemical free energy or restraining force opposing the transformation to martensite.     

The influence of the ferrite to austenite transformation on the formation of sulfidesx

Steel solidifies either by a primary precipitation of δ-Fe or by a primary precipitation of γ-Fe. In the former case the steel can either go through a peritectic reaction or a solid state transformation to form y-Fe during cooling. The influence of the rate of solidification and/or the transformation sequence on the sulfide precipitation in steels was studied in unidirectionally solidified Fe-Ni-S and Fe-Ni-Mn-S alloys. Nickel was used to govern the solidification sequence. It was shown that the solid state transformation could give rise to iron sulfide films according to a metatectic reaction. It was also shown that the peritectic reaction favored the formation of iron sulfide films. These films solidified at a very low temperature. During cooling the films contracted and small sulfide particles were formed. If the alloy contained manganese the composition of the films was changed during cooling from nearly pure iron sulfide to nearly pure manganese sulfide due to diffusion of manganese from the matrix.     

基于渗碳体调控低合金钢中块状逆变奥氏体与奥氏体晶粒尺寸

逆变奥氏体微观组织显著影响钢铁材料的最终组织性能,阐明块状奥氏体的形成规律对于精准掌握逆相变至关重要。本文以Fe–2.5Mn–1.5Si–0.35C合金为研究对象,通过OM、SEM和EBSD等手段研究了不同预回火条件下晶内块状奥氏体与最终奥氏体晶粒尺寸的演变规律。研究结果表明,随预回火温度自350 ℃升高至650 ℃,晶内块状奥氏体体积分数呈现出先增加后迅速降低的趋势;400 ℃预回火条件下,随预回火时间的延长,晶内块状奥氏体体积分数先增加后趋于稳定;预回火促使晶内块状奥氏体形成,导致最终奥氏体晶粒显著细化。随着预回火温度的升高,逆相变前渗碳体发生粗化,增加了晶内块状奥氏体的有效形核位点,此促进了晶内块状奥氏体的形成。此外,晶内块状奥氏体具有多重取向,晶内块状奥氏体的增加,使得逆相变后奥氏体晶粒显著细化。本研究提供了一种在不改变钢化学成分的条件下,通过控制渗碳体实现对逆相变晶内块状奥氏体形成和最终奥氏体晶粒尺寸调控的新方法。      

The influence of martensite shape,concentration, and phase transformation strain on the deformation behavior of stable dual-phase steels

A continuum model is developed to examine the influence of martensite shape, volume fraction, phase transformation strain, and thermal mismatch on the initial plastic state of the ferrite matrix following phase transformation and on the subsequent stress-strain behavior of the dual-phase steels upon loading. The theory is developed based on a relaxed constraint in the ductile matrix and an energy criterion to define its effective stress. In addition, it also assumes the martensite islands to possess a spheroidal shape and to be randomly oriented and homogenously dispersed in the ferrite matrix. It is found that for a typical water-quenched process from an intercritical temperature of 760 °C, the critical martensite volume fraction needed to induce plastic deformation in the ferrite matrix is very low, typically below 1 pct, regardless of the martensite shape. Thus, when the two-phase system is subjected to an external load, plastic deformation commences immediately, resulting in the widely observed “continuous yielding” behavior in dual-phase steels. The subsequent deformation of the dual-phase system is shown to be rather sensitive to the martensite shape, with the disc-shaped morphology giving rise to a superior overall response (over the spherical type). The stress-strain relations are also dependent upon the magnitude of the prior phase transformation strain. The strength coefficienth and the work-hardening exponentn of the smooth, parabolic-type stress-strain curves of the dual-phase system also increase with increasing martensite content for each selected inclusion shape. Comparison with an exact solution and with one set of experimental data indicates that the theory is generally within a reasonable range of accuracy. Formerly Visiting Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers University     

The effect of grain size and retained austenite on the ductile-brittle transition of a titanium-gettered iron alloy

The effect of microstructural changes on the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) was studied in a titanium-getter ed Fe-8Ni-2 Mn-0.15 Ti alloy. A fairly strong grain size dependence of the transition temperature, 8°C/mm^−1/2, was found. Grain size refinement from 38 μm (ASTM #6.5) to 1.5 μm (ASTM #15.5) through a four-step thermal treatment lowered the transition temperature by 162°C. A small amount of retained austenite was introduced into this grain-refined microstructure, and the transition temperature was reduced by an additional 120 ~ 150°C. The reduction of the DBTT due to retained austenite was smaller when the austenite was in a large-grained structure (64°C). The distribution and stability of retained austenite were also studied.     

The effect of grain size and retained austenite on the ductile-brittle transition of a titanium-gettered iron alloy

The effect of microstructural changes on the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) was studied in a titanium-getter ed Fe-8Ni-2 Mn-0.15 Ti alloy. A fairly strong grain size dependence of the transition temperature, 8°C/mm^?1/2, was found. Grain size refinement from 38 μm (ASTM #6.5) to 1.5 μm (ASTM #15.5) through a four-step thermal treatment lowered the transition temperature by 162°C. A small amount of retained austenite was introduced into this grain-refined microstructure, and the transition temperature was reduced by an additional 120 ~ 150°C. The reduction of the DBTT due to retained austenite was smaller when the austenite was in a large-grained structure (64°C). The distribution and stability of retained austenite were also studied.     

The influence of grain size on the erosion rate of metals

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The objective of this work was to understand the influence of grain size on solid impingement erosion behavior characterized by deformation at high...