Effects of volume fraction of tempered martensite on dynamic deformation properties of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy having a bimodal microstructure

The effects of the volume fraction of tempered martensite on the tensile and dynamic deformation properties of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy having a bimodal microstructure were investigated in this study. Five microstructures having various tempered-martensite volume fractions were obtained by varying heat-treatment conditions. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted on them using a torsional Kolsky bar. The test data were analyzed in relation to microstructures, tensile properties, and adiabatic shear-band formation. Under a dynamic loading condition, the maximum shear stress increased with increasing tempered-martensite volume fraction, whereas the fracture shear strain decreased. Observation of the deformed area after the dynamic torsional test indicated that a number of voids initiated mainly at α-phase/tempered-martensite interfaces, and that the number of voids increased with increasing martensite volume fraction. Adiabatic shear bands of 6 to 10 μm in width were formed in the specimens having lower martensite volume fractions, while they were not formed in those having higher martensite volume fractions. The possibility of adiabatic shear-band formation was explained by concepts of absorbed deformation energy and void initiation. jointly appointed with the Materials Science and Engineering Department, Pohang University of Science and Technology     

Dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of ultrafine-grained aluminum alloy fabricates by equal-channel angular pressing

In the present study, ultrafine-grained microstructures of a conventional 5083 aluminum alloy were fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing, and their dynamic deformation and fracture behavior were investigated. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted on four aluminum alloy specimens using a torsional Kolsky bar, and then the test data were analyzed in relation to microstructures, tensile properties, and adiabatic shear-banding behavior. The equal-channel angular-pressed (ECAP) specimens consisted of ultrafine grains and contained a considerable amount of second-phase particles, which were refined and distributed homogeneously in the matrix as the equal-channel angular pressing pass number increased. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that the maximum shear stress increased, while the fracture shear strain remained constant, with increasing equal-channel angular pressing pass number. Observation of the deformed area beneath the dynamically fractured surface showed that a number of voids initiated mainly at second-phase particle/matrix interfaces and that the number of voids increased with increasing pass number. Adiabatic shear bands of 200 to <300 μm in width were formed in the as-extruded and 1-pass ECAP specimens having coarser particles, whereas they were hardly formed in the four-pass and eight-pass ECAP specimens having finer particles. The possibility of adiabatic shear-band formation was explained by concepts of absorbed deformation energy and void initiation.     

Dynamic deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained low-carbon steels fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing

The dynamic deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained low-carbon steels fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional tests, using a torsional Kolsky bar, were conducted on four steel specimens, two of which were annealed at 480 °C after ECAP, and then the test data were compared in terms of microstructures, tensile properties, and adiabatic shear-band formation. The equal-channel angular pressed specimen consisted of very fine, equiaxed grains of 0.2 to 0.3 μm in size, which were slightly coarsened after annealing. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that maximum shear stress decreased with increasing annealing time, whereas fracture shear strain increased. Some adiabatic shear bands were observed at the gage center of the dynamically deformed torsional specimen. Their width was smaller in the equal-channel angular pressed specimen than in the 1-hour-annealed specimen, but they were not found in the 24-hour-annealed specimen. Ultrafine, equiaxed grains of 0.05 to 0.2 μm in size were formed inside the adiabatic shear band, and their boundaries had characteristics of high-angle grain boundaries. These phenomena were explained by dynamic recrystallization due to a highly localized plastic strain and temperature rise during dynamic deformation.     

Effects of Strain Rate and Test Temperature on Torsional Deformation Behavior of API X70 and X80 Linepipe Steels

This study aimed at investigating effects of strain rate and test temperature on deformation and fracture behavior of three API X70 and X80 linepipe steels fabricated by varying alloying elements and hot-rolling conditions. Quasi-static and dynamic torsional tests were conducted on these steels having different grain sizes and volume fractions of acicular ferrite and polygonal ferrite, using a torsional Kolsky bar, and then the test data were compared via microstructures, tensile properties, and adiabatic shear band formation. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that the steels rolled in the single-phase region had the higher maximum shear stress than the steel rolled in the two-phase region, because their microstructures were composed mainly of acicular ferrites. Particularly in the API X80 steel rolled in the single-phase region, increased dynamic torsional properties could be explained by the decrease in the overall effective grain size due to the presence of acicular ferrite having smaller effective grain size. The possibility of the adiabatic shear band formation at low temperatures was also analyzed by the energy required for void initiation and difference in effective grain size.     

Effects of martensite morphology and tempering on dynamic deformation behavior of dual-phase steels

The effects of martensite morphology and tempering on the quasistatic and dynamic deformation behavior of dual-phase steels were investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted on six steel specimens, which had different martensite morphologies and tempering conditions, using a torsional Kolsky bar, and then the test data were compared via microstructures, tensile properties, and fracture mode. Bulky martensites were mixed with ferrites in the step-quenched (SQ) specimens, but small martensites were well distributed in the ferrite matrix in the intermediate-annealed (IA) specimens. Under a dynamic loading condition, the fracture mode of the SQ specimens was changed from cleavage to ductile fracture as the tempering temperature increased, whereas the IA specimens showed a ductile fracture mode, irrespective of tempering. These phenomena were analyzed in terms of a rule of mixtures applied to composites, microstructural variation, martensite softening and carbon diffusion due to tempering, and adiabatic shear-band formation.     

Effects of martensite morphology and volume fraction on quasi-static and dynamic deformation behavior of dual-phase steels

The effects of martensite morphology and volume fraction on the quasi-static and dynamic deformation behavior of dual-phase steels were investigated in this study. Quasi-static and dynamic torsional tests were conducted using a torsional Kolsky bar for four steel specimens, which had different martensite morphology and volume fraction, and then the test data were compared via microstructures, tensile properties, and fracture mode. In the intermediate quenched (IQ) steel specimens, very fine fibrous martensites were well distributed in the ferrite matrix, but bulky martensites were mixed with ferrites in the step quenched (SQ) specimens. Quasi-static torsional properties were similar to tensile properties, and fracture occurred in a ductile mode in IQ specimens, whereas cleavage fracture was predominated in SQ specimens. Under a dynamic loading condition, the fracture mode of SQ specimens was changed from cleavage to ductile fracture, whereas IQ specimens had a ductile fracture mode, irrespective of loading rate. These phenomena were analyzed using a shear lag model, phase continuity, and the thermal softening effect of martensite.     

Effects of microstructural morphology on quasi-static and dynamic deformation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The effects of microstructural morphology on quasi-static and dynamic deformation behavior of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy were investigated in this study. Quasi-static and dynamic torsional tests were conducted using a torsional Kolsky bar for Widmanstätten, equiaxed, and bimodal microstructures, which were processed by different heat treatments, and then, the test data were analyzed in relation to microstructures, tensile properties, and fracture mode. Quasi-static torsional properties showed a tendency similar to tensile properties and ductile fracture occurred in all three microstructures. Under dynamic torsional loading, maximum shear stress of the three microstructures was higher and fracture shear strain was lower than those under quasi-static loading, but the overall tendency was similar. In the Widmanstätten and equiaxed microstructures, adiabatic shear bands were found in the deformed region of the fractured specimens. The possibility of the adiabatic shear band formation under dynamic loading was quantitatively analyzed, depending on how plastic deformation energy was distributed to either void initiation or adiabatic shear banding. It was found to be most likely in the equiaxed microstructure, whereas it was least likely in the bimodal microstructure.     

Analysis and prevention of cracking phenomenon occurring during cold forging of two AISI 1010 steel pulleys

This study is concerned with the effects of microstructural parameters on the cracking phenomenon occurring during cold forging of two AISI 1010 steels that were fabricated by converter steel making and electric furnace steel making, respectively. This allowed a comparison between microstructures that contained a small or large amount of nitrogen. Detailed microstructural analyses of the cracked region showed that a number of adiabatic shear bands, along which cracks initiated and propagated, were formed in the top interior part of the cold-forged pulley. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted using a torsional Kolsky bar in order to investigate the dynamic deformation behavior during cold forging, and then the test data were compared via microstructures, mechanical properties, adiabatic shear banding, and fracture mode. From the dynamic shear stress-strain curves, the steel containing a considerable amount of nitrogen showed a smaller shear strain of 0.2 at the maximum shear stress point, after which the shear stress decreased rapidly prior to fracture, whereas the other steel containing a smaller amount of nitrogen showed relatively homogeneous shear deformation. This dynamic torsional behavior correlated well with the cracking and adiabatic shear banding behavior, together with the yield-point phenomenon occurring in the steel containing more nitrogen. Because the cracking occurring during cold forging was associated with the adiabatic shear banding and the yield-point phenomenon, the minimization of nitrogen and the fast cooling rate after hot rolling were suggested to prevent the cracking.     

Impact of Martensite Spatial Distribution on Quasi-Static and Dynamic Deformation Behavior of Dual-Phase Steel

The effects of microstructure parameters of dual-phase steels on tensile high strain dynamic deformation characteristic were examined in this study. Cold-rolled steel sheets were annealed using three different annealing process parameters to obtain three different dual-phase microstructures of varied ferrite and martensite phase fraction. The volume fraction of martensite obtained in two of the steels was near identical (~ 19 pct) with a subtle difference in its spatial distribution. In the first microstructure variant, martensite was mostly found to be situated at ferrite grain boundaries and in the second variant, in addition to at grain boundaries, in-grain martensite was also observed. The third microstructure was very different from the above two with respect to martensite volume fraction (~ 67 pct) and its morphology. In this case, martensite packets were surrounded by a three-dimensional ferrite network giving an appearance of core and shell type microstructure. All the three steels were tensile deformed at strain rates ranging from 2.7 × 10^?4 (quasi-static) to 650 s^?1 (dynamic range). Field-emission scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the starting as well as post-tensile deformed microstructures. Dual-phase steel consisting of small martensite volume fraction (~ 19 pct), irrespective of its spatial distribution, demonstrated high strain rate sensitivity and on the other hand, steel with large martensite volume fraction (~ 67 pct) displayed a very little strain rate sensitivity. Interestingly, total elongation was found to increase with increasing strain rate in the dynamic regime for steel with core–shell type of microstructure containing large martensite volume fraction. The observed enhancement in plasticity in dynamic regime was attributed to adiabatic heating of specimen. To understand the evolving damage mechanism, the fracture surface and the vicinity of fracture ends were studied in all the three dual-phase steels.     

Correlation of Microstructure, Chip-Forming Properties, and Dynamic Torsional Properties in Free-Machining Steels

Four free-machining steels were fabricated by varying volume fractions of MnS and soft metal additives of Pb and Bi, and their microstructures, tensile properties, chip-forming properties, and dynamic torsional properties were analyzed. Machining and dynamic torsional tests were conducted on the four steels to investigate chip-forming and dynamic torsional properties, respectively. In the Pb-S- and Bi-S-based steels, the chip thickness and ridge area of the 1^st chip obtained from the machining test were smaller than in the S-based steels and were not changed much after repeated machining processes. These chip-forming properties were closely related with dynamic torsional properties. Dynamic maximum shear strains of the Pb-S- and Bi-S-based steels were higher than those of the S-based steels, while dynamic maximum shear stresses were lower, thereby leading to the relatively homogeneous dynamic shear deformation and to the better chip-forming properties and machinability.     

Influence of martensite content and morphology on tensile and impact properties of high-martensite dual-phase steels

A series of dual-phase (DP) steels containing finely dispersed martensite with different volume fractions of martensite (V _m) were produced by intermediate quenching of a boron- and vanadium-containing microalloyed steel. The volume fraction of martensite was varied from 0.3 to 0.8 by changing the intercritical annealing temperature. The tensile and impact properties of these steels were studied and compared to those of step-quenched steels, which showed banded microstructures. The experimental results show that DP steels with finely dispersed microstructures have excellent mechanical properties, including high impact toughness values, with an optimum in properties obtained at ∼0.55 V _m. A further increase in V _m was found to decrease the yield and tensile strengths as well as the impact properties. It was shown that models developed on the basis of a rule of mixtures are inadequate in capturing the tensile properties of DP steels with V _m>0.55. Jaoul-Crussard analyses of the work-hardening behavior of the high-martensite volume fraction DP steels show three distinct stages of plastic deformation.     

Dynamic deformation behavior and ballistic impact properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy having equiaxed and bimodal microstructures

Effects of microstructural morphology on dynamic deformation behavior and ballistic impact properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy plates were investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional and ballistic impact tests were conducted on equiaxed and bimodal microstructures, which were processed by different heat treatments, and then the test data were analyzed in relation to microstructures and tensile properties. According to the dynamic torsional test data, maximum shear stress and fracture shear strain of the bimodal microstructure were higher than those of the equiaxed microstructure, and the possibility of the adiabatic shear band formation was more likely in the equiaxed microstructure than in the bimodal microstructure. In the ballistically impacted region of the equiaxed microstructure, a number of adiabatic shear bands and cracks were observed to be formed along plastic flow lines, and delamination occurred because of cracking along the flow lines or shear bands. In the case of the bimodal microstructure, shear bands were found in limited areas near the penetrated surface without occurring delamination, and their number was smaller than that of the equiaxed microstructure. Thus, ballistic performance of the bimodal microstructure was better than that of the equiaxed microstructure, which was consistent with the dynamic torsional test results.     

Effects of microstructural factors on quasi-static and dynamic deformation behaviors of Ti-6Al-4V alloys with widmanstätten structures

The effects of microstructural factors on the quasi-static tensile and dynamic torsional deformation behaviors in Ti-6Al-4V alloys with Widmanstätten structures were investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted using a torsional Kolsky bar for five Widmanstätten structures, in which microstructural parameters such as colony size and α lamellar spacing were varied by heat treatments, and then the test data were analyzed in relation to microstructures, tensile properties, and fracture mode. Under dynamic torsional loading, maximum shear stress was largely dependent on colony size, whereas shear strain at the maximum shear stress point was on colony size as well as α lamellar spacing. Adiabatic shear bands were found in the deformed area of the fractured torsional specimens, and their width was smallest in the structure whose colony size and α lamellar spacing were both large. The possibility of the adiabatic shear band formation was quantitatively analyzed in relation to microstructural factors. It was the highest in the coarse Widmanstätten structure, which was confirmed by the theoretical critical shear strain (υ _c ) condition for the adiabatic shear band formation.     

Effect of tungsten particle shape on dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of tungsten heavy alloys

The effect of the tungsten particle shape on the dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of tungsten heavy alloys was investigated. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted using a torsional Kolsky bar for five alloys, one of which was fabricated by the double-cycled sintering process, and then the test data were compared via microstructures, mechanical properties, adiabatic shear banding, and fracture mode. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that in the double-sintered tungsten alloy whose tungsten particles were very coarse and irregularly shaped, cleavage fracture occurred in the central area of the gage section with little shear deformation, whereas shear deformation was concentrated in the central area of the gage section in the other alloys. The deformation and fracture behavior of the double-sintered alloy correlated well with the observation of the impacted penetrator specimen and the in situ fracture test results, i.e., microcrack initiation at coarse tungsten particles and cleavage crack propagation through tungsten particles. These findings suggested that the cleavage fracture mode would be beneficial for the self-sharpening effect, and, thus, the improvement of the penetration performance of the double-sintered tungsten heavy alloy would be expected.     

Effect of tungsten particle shape on dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of tungsten heavy alloys

The effect of the tungsten particle shape on the dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of tungsten heavy alloys was investigated. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted using a torsional Kolsky bar for five alloys, one of which was fabricated by the double-cycled sintering process, and then the test data were compared via microstructures, mechanical properties, adiabatic shear banding, and fracture mode. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that in the double-sintered tungsten alloy whose tungsten particles were very coarse and irregularly shaped, cleavage fracture occurred in the central area of the gage section with little shear deformation, whereas shear deformation was concentrated in the central area of the gage section in the other alloys. The deformation and fracture behavior of the double-sintered alloy correlated well with the observation of the impacted penetrator specimen and the in situ fracture test results, i.e., microcrack initiation at coarse tungsten particles and cleavage crack propagation through tungsten particles. These findings suggested that the cleavage fracture mode would be beneficial for the self-sharpening effect, and, thus, the improvement of the penetration performance of the double-sintered tungsten heavy alloy would be expected.     

Spontaneous and Deformation‐Induced Martensite in Austenitic Stainless Steels with Different Stability

The fraction and microstructure of spontaneous and deformation‐induced martensite in three austenitic stainless steels with different austenite stability have been investigated. Samples were quenched in brine followed by cooling in liquid nitrogen or plastically deformed by uniaxial tensile testing at different initial temperatures. In‐situ ferritescope measurements of the martensite fraction was conducted during tensile testing and complemented with ex‐situ X‐ray diffractometry. The microstructures of quenched and deformed samples were examined using light optical microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction. It was found that annealing twins in austenite are effective nucleation sites for spontaneous α'‐martensite, while deformation‐induced α'‐martensite mainly formed within parallel shear‐bands. The α'‐martensite formed has an orientation relationship near the Kurdjumov‐Sachs (K‐S) relation with the parent austenite phase even at high plastic strains, and adjacent α'‐martensite variants were mainly twin related (<111> 60° or Σ3).     

Effect of size and shape of tungsten particles on dynamic torsional properties in tungsten heavy alloys

The effect of the size and shape of tungsten particles on dynamic torsional properties in tungsten heavy alloys was investigated. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted on seven tungsten alloy specimens, four of which were fabricated by repeated sintering, using a torsional Kolsky bar, and then the test results were compared via microstructure, mechanical properties, adiabatic shear banding, and deformation and fracture mode. The size of tungsten particles and their hardness were increased as sintering temperature and time were increased, thereby deteriorating fracture toughness. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that in the specimens whose tungsten particles were coarse and irregularly shaped, cleavage fracture occurred predominantly with little shear deformation, whereas shear deformation was concentrated into the center of the gage section in the conventionally fabricated specimens. The deformation and fracture behavior of the specimens having coarse tungsten particles correlated well with the observation of the in situ fracture test results, i.e., cleavage crack initiation and propagation. These findings suggested that there would be an appropriate tungsten particle size because the cleavage fracture mode would be beneficial for the “self-sharpening” of the tungsten heavy alloys.     

Deformation-induced martensitic characteristics in 304 and 316 stainless steels during room-temperature rolling

The effect of grain size on the deformation-induced martensite (α′) in 304 and 316 stainless steels (SS) during room-temperature rolling has been studied. Samples of four grain sizes of 52, 180, 229, and 285 μ in 304 and three grain sizes of 77, 125, and 200 /μm in 316 SS have been rolled from 16 to 63 pct reduction in thicknesses to characterize the microstructures during the rolling deformation. The amount of α′ formed increases with increase in the amount of deformation in both SS for a given grain size. The volume fraction of martensite formed increases with a decrease in grain size in 304 SS, while the α’ martensite formation has been found to be grain size insensitive in 316 SS. The volume fraction of α’ formed in 304 SS is always higher than that in 316 SS for a fixed percent reduction in thickness and grain size. This is attributed to the higher number of shear band intersections observed in 304 SS, which are considered to be the nucleation sites for the α’ embryos. The lath martensite obtained at small true rolling strains changes to blocky type at higher true strains. The morphology of α′ formed has been discussed and its characteristics obtained from rolling deformation have been compared with those earlier reported from the room-temperature tensile deformation.     

Correlation of dynamic torsional properties with adiabatic shear banding behavior in ballistically impacted aluminum-lithium alloys

The present study is concerned with a correlation between dynamic deformation properties obtained from the dynamic Kolsky bar test with the adiabatic shear banding behavior developed in Al-Li alloys upon ballistic impact, and then with the ballistic performance. The selected materials were a 2090 Al-Li alloy, a WELDALITE 049 alloy, and a 7039 Al alloy, to allow a comparative study of different strengths and microstructures. After the ballistic impact testing, the amount and the distribution of adiabatic shear bands were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopes. In the front side of the impacted area, many thin delaminated sheets and a large amount of fragmentation were observed in the 2090 alloy and the WELDALITE alloy, respectively. Near the impacted region, a large amount of plastic flow also existed, and adiabatic shear bands were hardly observed in the 2090 and the WELDALITE alloys, whereas they easily formed in the 7039 alloy. Since adiabatic shear bands usually deteriorate the impact resistance of target materials, the ballistic performance of each alloy was discussed by comparing the adiabatic shear banding behavior with microstructure, strength level, and dynamic torsional properties.