Characterization of transformed and deformed microstructures in transformation induced plasticity steels using electron backscattering diffraction

The microstructure of transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels was characterized by means of electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) technique to identify and quantify their different microstructures such as ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite. Further, the strain distribution in ferrite and retained austenite was analyzed during deformation. The TRIP steels were annealed by austempering for different durations to investigate the effect of the austempering time on the volume fraction change of the microstructural constituents. The quantitative analysis by EBSD coupled with an image contrast analysis revealed that the amount of retained austenite decreased and the amount of bainite increased with increasing austempering time. The mechanical properties of the TRIP steels were also affected by the austempering time. The maximum elongation was obtained in the sample austempered for 5 min, probably because of the good stability of retained austenite. The strain distribution in bcc and fcc phases during tensile deformation was characterized by evaluating the changes in the average local misorientation of the phases.     

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Si-AI-Mn TRIP Steel with Niobium

Microstructure consisting of ferrite, bainite and retained austenite can be obtained through intercritical annealing and isothermal treatment in bainite transformation region for low silicon TRIP （transformation induced plasticity） steel containing niobium. Effects of strain rate, Nb content and soaking temperature in bainite region on microstructure and mechanical properties of test steels were investigated. It is shown that as strain rate ranges from 10^-2 to 10^-4 s^-1, the volume fraction of transformed martensite from retained austenite, as well as tensile strength, elongation rate and strength-ductility product, increases. When Nb is added, the volume fraction of retained austenite decreases, but tensile strength and yield strength increase. While Nb content reaches 0.014%, the steel exhibits high elongation and combination of strength and ductility. Higher retained austenite volume fraction and good mechanical properties are obtained in the test steels when the soaking temperature in bainite region is 400℃. The maximum values of tensile strength, total elongation rate and strength-ductility product can reach 739 MPa, 38% and 28082 MPa%, respectively.     

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Si-Al-Mn TRIP Steel with Niobium

Microstructure consisting of ferrite, bainite and retained austenite can be obtained through intercritical annealing and isothermal treatment in bainite transformation region for low silicon TRIP (transformation induced plasticity) steel containing niobium. Effects of strain rate, Nb content and soaking temperature in bainite region on microstructure and mechanical properties of test steels were investigated. It is shown that as strain rate ranges from 10-2 to 10-4 s-1, the volume fraction of transformed martensite from retained austenite,as well as tensile strength, elongation rate and strength-ductility product, increases. When Nb is added, the volume fraction of retained austenite decreases, but tensile strength and yield strength increase. While Nb content reaches 0.014%, the steel exhibits high elongation and combination of strength and ductility. Higher retained austenite volume fraction and good mechanical properties are obtained in the test steels when the soaking temperature in bainite region is 400℃. The maximum values of tensile strength, total elongation rate and strength-ductility product can reach 739 MPa, 38% and 28082 MPa%, respectively.     

Si对中锰钢淬火配分组织和性能的影响

将20Mn5钢和20Mn5Si2钢进行淬火和配分(Q&P)工艺处理,用扫描电镜观测其微观组织,用X射线法测量残余奥氏体量,研究了Si对其微观组织和力学性能的影响.结果表明,试验钢中的奥氏体含量明显高于传统的TRIP钢和Q&P 工艺处理钢;在相同Q＆P工艺条件下,20Mn5Si2钢比20Mn5有较多的残余奥氏体,析出物数...     

Mechanical and Transformation Behaviors of a C-Mn-Si-Al-Cr TRIP Steel under Stress

Transformation induced plasticity （TRIP） steels combine high strength and excellent ductility, making them suited for application in crash-relevant parts in the automotive industry. However, the high Si contents in the conventional TRIP steel will generate surface defects on the hot rolled strip, which is difficult to process in continuous galvanizing lines. In order to solve the above problem the TRIP steel with the addition of Al replacing majority of Si was designed. In the present paper, the volume fraction of various phases in a C-Mn-Si-Al-Cr TRIP steel was determined by metallographic examination and X-ray diffraction analysis, and the multi-phase microstructures were characterized using an atomic force microscope based on their height difference. Tensile tests were performed at different temperatures ranging from -40℃ to 90℃. The results show that transition temperature Ms^σ in the present TRIP steel cannot be determined due to its lower volume fraction of retained austenite, different from the conventional TRIP steel. While the yield stress and tensile strength at different temperatures are higher than those of the conventional TRIP steel, which is attributed to the addition of Cr. In order to evaluate the effect of martensitic transformation on the total elongation, the sample without retained austenite obtained by quenching in liquid nitrogen was carried out under tensile test. The results indicate that the elongation of the original sample containing 9% retained austenite is about 20% higher than that of the sample quenched in liquid nitrogen, which demonstrates that the retained austenite plays an important role in improving the elongation of the TRIP steel.     

热轧C-Si-Mn系TRIP钢的组织与力学性能

为了探讨热轧TRIP钢的制备工艺与其组织及力学性能的关系,采用热轧控冷工艺在实验室制备了C-Si-Mn系TRIP钢,利用光学显微镜、扫描电镜及透射电镜对试验钢的组织进行了观察,利用能谱仪对试验钢中的夹杂进行了观察.研究得到试验钢的力学性能为:σb=605 Pa,σs=440 Pa,δ=28.4%,σs/σb=0.73.定量金相检测结果表明,试验钢中三相含量分别为:残余奥氏体5.6%,铁素体67.6%,贝氏体26.8%.     

高强贝氏体基体钒微合金化TRIP钢的性能

对一种钒微合金化TRIP钢进行冷轧连续退火,研究了钢的组织特征和力学性能。结果表明,贝氏体基TRIP钢的组织由贝氏体/马氏体和少量的残余奥氏体组成。随着贝氏体区等温时间的延长,钢的抗拉强度下降,屈服强度和延伸率提高。残余奥氏体由块状向薄膜状转变,体积分数增加,薄膜状残余奥氏体主要分布在贝氏体板条间,厚度为50-90 nm。在400℃等温180 s连续退火钢板呈现出相对低抗拉强度(960 MPa)、高屈服强度(765 MPa)和高延伸率(22.0%)的特性,而且加工硬化指数(0.20)、各向异性指数(0.94)和强塑积(21120 MPa.%)也较为优良。     

Q&P热处理工艺对含Cu TRIP钢组织和性能的影响

随着能源的短缺和环境污染的日益严重,汽车轻量化需求日益迫切,如何通过工艺及成分设计革新、获得兼具高强度和高塑性的钢板尤为重要.尝试将Cu作为合金元素加入TRIP钢中,采用淬火配分(QP)工艺对含Cu TRIP钢进行一步法和两步法热处理,通过拉伸试验、X射线衍射分析、扫描电镜、透射电镜等实验手段,对热处理后的组织及性能进行测试和观察,探究了不同热处理工艺对组织和性能的影响.研究结果表明:一步法处理后的显微组织为铁素体、马氏体和残余奥氏体,两步法处理后不仅包含上述3种组织,还含有贝氏体.一步法处理后,抗拉强度达2 200 MPa,拉伸延展率为15%,强塑积为33 GPa·%;两步法处理后综合力学性能优于一步法,在400℃等温5 min后,抗拉强度为1 300 MPa,拉伸延展率为43%,强塑积超过55 GPa·%.实验钢良好的综合力学性能得益于铁素体、马氏体/贝氏体和残余奥氏体的合理配比,变形过程中残余奥氏体的相变诱导塑性效应,以及马氏体位错与Cu粒子的交互作用.     

Study of heat treatment parameters and kinetics of quenching and partitioning cycles

Abstract

Cold rolled sheets of a low carbon quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steel grade were subjected to heat treatment cycles, which were designed by dilatometric experiments and optimised with respect to the quenching temperature, partitioning temperature and partitioning time. Characterisation of the retained austenite was carried out by electron backscattered diffraction, whereas the carbides were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry. The mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing and linked with retained austenite fractions and carbon contents, determined by X-ray diffraction. Conclusions are drawn concerning the influence of the kinetics of partitioning on the microstructure in terms of optimal austenite fraction in the martensitic matrix, its C content and ensuing mechanical properties.     

A medium manganese steel designed for water quenching and partitioning

An aluminium-containing medium manganese steel has been designed to undergo intercritical annealing followed by quenching in water and subsequent partitioning. Water quenching, replacing the quenching temperature (QT) between 150 and 300°C in conventional quenching and partitioning steels, is therefore adopted in QP alloys, in order to guarantee the precise QT in practice. The low intercritical annealing temperature of 750°C refines both ferrite and prior austenite grains into submicron size. The large fraction of ultra-fine ferrite, as well as the transformation-induced plasticity effect of retained austenite, improves the overall ductility of this water-quenched and partitioned steel. The alloy has achieved excellent mechanical properties of 1130?MPa ultimate tensile strength combined with 19.2% total elongation.     

Intercritical annealing pre-treatment used in a hot-dip galvanised TRIP steel

An intercritical annealing pre-treatment was added before the conventional two-step heat treatment process, and the effect of the isothermal bainitic transformation (IBT) time on the steel's microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The microstructure was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, while the mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile testing. The microstructure of the three-step hot-dip galvanised transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel consists of ferrite, bainite, retained austenite, and martensite. The mechanical properties of the steel after the three-step heat treatment process are excellent, with a tensile strength above 770?MPa and elongation above 29%. The effect of IBT time on the mechanical properties was insignificant because the intercritical annealing pre-treatment increases the bainitic transformation rate.     

In situ synchrotron study on the interplay between martensite formation, texture evolution and load partitioning in low-alloyed TRIP steels

We have studied the micromechanical behaviour of two low-alloyed multiphase TRIP steels with different aluminium contents by performing in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction experiments at a synchrotron source under increasing tensile stress levels. A detailed analysis of the two-dimensional diffraction data has allowed us to unravel the interplay between the martensite formation, the texture evolution and the load partitioning, and to correlate the observed behaviour to the macroscopic response of the material. The high aluminium content TRIP steel grade presents a higher volume fraction of retained austenite at room temperature that transforms more gradually into martensite under deformation, providing a larger uniform elongation. The comparison between the observed transformation behaviour and the texture evolution indicates that the 〈1 0 0〉 component along the loading direction corresponds to a low critical stress for the transformation. The evolution of the elastic strains revealed the occurrence of a significant load partitioning before reaching the macroscopic yield strength, which becomes more pronounced in the plastic regime due to the progressive yielding of the different grains in the polycrystalline material. This opens the door to tailor the austenite stability by altering the distribution in grain size, local carbon content, and grain orientation in order to produce the optimal load partitioning and work hardening for improved combinations of strength and formability in low-alloyed TRIP steels.     

TRIP钢的动态拉伸变形行为研究

在气动式间接杆杆型冲击拉伸试验机上对二种TRIP钢的拉伸性能随应变率的变化进行了研究,对强度随应变率的变化以及断口形貌和孔洞与变形的关系进行了分析.研究结果表明:TRIP钢在所研究的应变率范围对应变率是敏感的,屈服强度和抗拉强度随应变率增加明显提高.SEM分析发现,TRIP钢断口体现为典型的延性断裂特征,而且残余奥氏体的变形诱发相变对孔洞形成位置的影响使得其具有较好的延性.     

Werkstoffverhalten und Mikrostrukturentwicklung hochfester Mn‐Al‐Si‐Leichtbaustähle unter Zugbelastung

Material behaviour and microstructure evolution of high‐strength Mn‐Al‐Si‐light‐weight steels under tensile loading Because of their extraordinary combination of high strength and superior ductility high‐strength high Mn‐steels with reduced density and additions of aluminium and silicon are interesting candidates for structural applications. The initial microstructure consisting of stable austenite or austenite and ε‐ and α'‐martensite was achieved by alloying. During plastic deformation intense strain induced martensitic transformation and / or mechanical twinning was observed. These deformation mechanisms are used to extend the limited forming capability and contribute to a high energy absorption (in impact tests) up to very high strain rates. Tensile tests reveal that the properties are maintained up to strain rates of about 1000 1/s. The flow stress behaviour is strongly influenced by the initial microstructure and their evolution during deformation processes is determined by the rates of martensite and twin formation, respectively.     

一种新型高强塑积异质冷轧中锰钢的力学性能

使用原位电子背散射衍射(EBSD)和球差透射电镜(ACTEM)等手段,研究了新型异质结构中锰TRIP钢在拉伸过程中微观组织的演变机制和力学性能。结果表明,在680℃退火后的实验钢中生成了多形貌、多尺度的异质奥氏体结构(颗粒状、块状、片层状奥氏体)和铁素体组织,其抗拉强度为1272 MPa,总延伸率为54.5%,强塑积高达69.3 GPa·%。在拉伸过程中C/Mn含量较低的颗粒状奥氏体先发生相变,而C/Mn含量较高的块状和片层状奥氏体在较大的应变范围内逐渐发生相变,从而导致高强度与高塑性的良好匹配。结果还表明,马氏体相变优先在奥氏体晶界/相界附近的区域形核。与晶粒尺寸相比,C/Mn元素对奥氏体稳定性的作用更重要。     

贝氏体区等温时间对TRIP钢残奥及力学性能影响

为研究贝氏体区等温时间对热轧TRIP钢残余奥氏体和力学性能的影响,采用金相显微镜、X射线衍射、拉伸实验等方法对3种不同贝氏体区等温时间下制备的热轧TRIP钢进行分析.结果表明:随着贝氏体等温时间的延长,残余奥氏体量减少而残余奥氏体碳含量增加,残余奥氏体晶粒尺寸及残余奥氏体形貌变化不大;热轧TRIP钢的力学性能随着贝氏体...     

配分时间对Q&P钢力学性能及显微组织的影响

设计了一种中碳中锰QP(Quenching and partitioning)钢,基于热力学平衡理论计算分析了其相变过程,通过扫描电镜(SEM)、背散射电子衍射(EBSD)和透射电镜(TEM)研究了实验钢经不同热处理后的微观组织,测试了其力学性能,并采用X射线衍射仪(XRD)进一步分析了拉伸断裂前后残留奥氏体含量的演变规律。结果表明:室温下实验钢微观组织为板条状马氏体和弥散分布的残留奥氏体;残留奥氏体主要存在于马氏体板条之间和原始奥氏体晶界处;随配分时间延长,抗拉强度逐渐降低,延伸率呈现升高趋势;试样拉断后,断口处残留奥氏体含量在3.5%~4.5%之间,明显低于拉伸前的含量(6.94%~10.78%),说明大部分残留奥氏体在拉伸过程中发生了TRIP效应,提高了实验钢的塑性。     

中锰Q&P钢残余奥氏体的稳定性及其TRIP效应

通过单向拉伸及平面应变实验研究了Mn含量为7%的中锰淬火-配分(QP)钢残余奥氏体的机械稳定性,利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)测定试验钢残余奥氏体的含量,通过观察试验钢的拉伸曲线及扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)照片,分析变形前后的微观组织,研究中锰QP钢的变形机制。结果表明:应力状态对残余奥氏体稳定性有较大的影响,平面应变更有利于相变诱导塑性(TRIP)效应的发挥;中锰QP钢的拉伸变形特征是由超细晶硬化机制和TRIP效应相互作用产生的,通过微观组织观察发现中锰QP钢的塑性变形主要是残余奥氏体的TRIP效应,其中薄膜状的残余奥氏体的稳定性最高。     

Nichtrostende Stähle mit TRIP/TWIP/SBIP‐Effekt

Stainless steels with TRIP/TWIP/SBIP effect Economic austenitic steels with high energy absorption capability are in the focus of worldwide research activities, whereby the steels which show TRIP, TWIP and/or SBIP effects play a crucial role. New austenitic or austenitic‐martensitic stainless steels with a high cold workability and energy absorption capability are currently developed and tested in laboratory scale at the Institute of Iron and Steel Technology at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg. The mechanical properties of these steels are essentially influenced by the TRIP, TWIP and SBIP effect, becoming evident in hot formed and solution annealed steels as well as in as‐cast steels. The TRIP/TWIP/SBIP effects have a significant impact on the toughness and the strength of stainless steels consisting of metastable austenite. The TRIP effect owns a paramount position since it serves for a simultaneous increase of toughness and strength. The influences of alloying elements like manganese or nickel on the TRIP effect are in the centre of the investigations at the Institute of Iron and Steel Technology. These austenitic or austenitc‐martensitic stainless steels provide the ability for new applications fields due to their excellent mechanical properties. Exemplary, in the Collaborative Research Centre SFB 799 “TRIP‐Matrix‐Composites”, financed through the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG, the suitability of this new class of steels for cast components in ductile and transformation strengthened high performance (metal) ceramic composite materials will be investigated.     

HSLA TRIP钢的动态拉伸行为及其模拟

研究了HSLA TRIP钢的相变诱发塑性,并模拟了其动态流变行为．结果表明,HSLA TRIP钢是应变率敏感的,屈服强度和抗拉强度均随着应变率的提高而增大,断裂延伸率降低．其变形机理是应变率硬化、绝热软化和残余奥氏体的应变诱发相变等因素的综合作用．计及拉伸流变过程中准静态向热激活、热激活向粘性拖曳及热激活和粘性拖曳综合作用和高应变率热软化特性,计算结果与实验具有较好的一致性．在高应变率拉伸变形过程中HSLA TRIP钢的塑性功热转化率为0．8-0．9．