Steel powder with a metastable austenite structure

The effect of technological parameters of fabrication on wear resistance and phase transformations in the surface layer of chromium-nickel steel PK110Kr2N is studied. A statistical model is proposed for prediction of the content inhomogeneity of the steel. Enhanced abrasive wear resistance is attained by appropriate transformations in the surface layer.Scientific-Research Institute for Problems of Powder Technology and Coatings, Perm. Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 3–4, pp. 42–47, March–April, 1994.     

Development of new methods for studying the decomposition in aging invars

N30K10T3 and N28K10T3 invar alloys are studied. After water quenching from 1150°C, they consist of supersaturated solid solutions, which can decompose in aging in the temperature range 500–700°C with the precipitation of intermetallic Ni₃Ti nanoparticles. It is shown that the decomposition can be controlled by measuring the magnetic (first harmonic amplitude, phase angle φ shift, magnetic susceptibility μ) and electric (electrical conductivity σ) parameters as functions of the isothermal holding time at various aging temperatures. The alloys are studied in the following three initial states: after quenching, phase transformation-induced hardening (γ → α → γ_pt), and cold (20°C) plastic deformation by 30%.     

变形工艺对低碳钢奥氏体中析出物的影响

研究变形温度和变形量对微合金元素碳氮化物在形变奥氏体中析出的影响,观察了不同变形工艺下奥氏体中析出物形貌.研究表明:变形量越大,变形温度越低,实验钢奥氏体中析出物数量越多,析出物平均尺寸越小.     

Effect of friction deformation on the structure and properties of a metastable austenitic chromium-nickel steel

The effect of surface friction deformation on the phase composition, structure, and strength properties of a ribbon produced from a chromium-nickel steel with metastable austenite is studied. It is shown that friction processing intensifies the γ-α transformation, creating favorable conditions for the formation of a highly dispersed structure in a thin surface layer and, thus, increasing the microhardness, the elastic limit, the fatigue stability, and the Bauschinger effect.     

Influence of strain rate and temperature on the deformation behavior of a metastable high carbon iron-nickel austenite

Austenitic specimens of Fe-15 wt pct Ni-0.8 wt pct C were tested in tension at strain rates of 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 10⁻¹ s⁻¹ over the temperature range −20°C to 60 °C. The influence of strain rate and temperature on the deformation behavior depended on whether stress-assisted or strain-induced martensitic trans-formation occurred during testing. Under conditions of stress-assisted transformation, the ductility was low and independent of strain rate. However, when strain-induced transformation occurred, the duc-tility increased significantly and the higher strain rate resulted in greater ductility and more transfor-mation. Although the ductility increased continuously with temperature, the amount of strain-induced transformation decreased and no martensite was observed above 40 °C. Microstructural examination showed that the martensite was replaced by intense bands and that these bands contained very fine (111) fcc twins. The twinning resulted in enhanced plasticity by providing an additional mode of deformation as slip became more difficult due to dynamic strain aging at the higher temperature. This study confirms that the substructure following deformation will depend on the proximity of the deformation temperature to theM _s ^σ temperature. At temperatures much greater thanM _s ^σ , austenite twinning will occur, while at temperatures close toM _s ^σ , bcc martensite will form.     

变形对亚稳态奥氏体不锈钢低温敏化的影响

采用扫描电镜(SEM)、X射线衍射分析(XRD)及透射电镜(TEM)研究了不同形变量下的亚稳态不锈钢(AISI 304)经过低温敏化处理(380 ℃、240 h的真空热处理)后组织的变化。通过双循环电化学动电位活化技术(DL-EPR)对敏化态的试样进行敏化度(DOS)测试,并用电化学阻抗谱表征了不同试样的耐腐蚀性能。结果表明,随着变形量的增加,低温敏化试样的敏化度递增,材料的耐腐蚀性能下降,当变形量达到40%时,敏化度达到71%。经过DL-EPR测试后,试样奥氏体晶粒和大部分晶界完好,马氏体区域是主要腐蚀区域,腐蚀模式为穿晶腐蚀。马氏体板条和基体中的滑移带是碳化物容易形核的位置。     

The effect of electrochemically induced annealing on the pitting resistance of metastable austenite stainless steel

Deformation-induced martensites in metastable austenite stainless steels affect their physical and chemical properties. Electrochemically induced annealing (EIA) is a recently discovered phenomenon. Although the reason why EIA treatment causes martensite to decrease or disappear is not clear, the effect of the martensite decrease or disappearance is supposed to be the same as that caused by heat-treatment annealing. The pitting resistance of the EIA-treated samples is compared with that of the untreated ones, through open-circuit potential, metallurgical microscope observation, and potentiodynamic scanning. The following results are obtained for the EIA-treated samples, after a 1.5-V anode charge in a 3.5 pct NaCl solution, as compared with the untreated samples: the deepest pit in the treated samples is far more shallow than the deepest pit in the untreated samples; there is far less pitting in the treated samples than in the untreated samples; and the largest pit in the treated samples is much smaller than the largest pit in the untreated samples. Initially, the open-circuit potential of the EIA-treated sample was 64 mV higher than that of the untreated one, but they reach close values after certain period of time. The pitting breakthrough potential, E _b, of the EIA-treated sample is about 0.2 V higher than that of the untreated one. Therefore, EIA is a method that has the potential to promote the pitting resistance of metastable austenite stainless steels.     

Effect of retained austenite on the hydrogen content and effective diffusivity of martensitic structure

In this work, the effects of retained austenite on the hydrogen content and the effective hydrogen diffusivity of an otherwise fully martensitic structure have been studied. In the electrochemical permeation experiment, the results on the first permeation transient indicate that high-carbon as-quenched specimens have a lower effective diffusivity than those with an additional subzero treatment. This was due to the presence of retained austenite in the former specimens, which afforded more sites for hydrogen trapping throughout the specimen membrane, hence lowering the hydrogen diffusion during the first transient. As the hydrogen traps were filled up, however, the second permeation transients gave similar effective diffusivity for both as-quenched and quenched + subzero-treated specimens. After hydrogen charging in hydrogen sulfide solution, the hydrogen contents of the specimens were determined using the vacuum hot extraction method. The results show that the hydrogen contents of as-quenched specimens were higher than those of the specimens subjected to quenched + subzero treatment. This again was due to the existence of retained austenite in as-quenched martensitic matrix, where the interfaces between the retained austenite and martensitic plates provided extra sites for hydrogen trapping. The hydrogen content of the presenting retained austenite in the martensite was independent of the carbon content of the specimen, but only depended on the hydrogen-charging period.     

Influence of thermomechanical treatment on the modification of austenite structure

As a substantial subject of the work reviewing the effect of thermomechanical treatment (TMT) on the γ/&-transformation of steel, this paper gives a survey of the metallurgical processes in the austenite as a consequence of hot deformation. These processes determine the properties of the austenite structure from which the transformation takes place. The dynamic and static recrystallization which refine the coarse grain formed during reheating are treated. For the case that at most minimal recrystallization occurs, the deformation structures arising from hot deformation are described under the aspect of their roll as nucleation sites for the γ/&-transformation.     

奥氏体组织对低碳中锰钢冷弯性能的影响

采用冷弯直径0～60 mm,弯曲角度180°,研究了20 mm厚度低碳中锰钢的冷弯性能,冷弯后外表均无可见裂纹,判定合格。利用光学显微镜、扫描电镜、透射电镜、电子背散射衍射(EBSD)、X射线衍射仪等手段分析了显微组织,尤其是奥氏体组织在冷弯过程中对冷弯性能的影响。结果表明,冷弯前显微组织由板条马氏体和奥氏体组成,其中原始奥氏体晶界明显;冷弯直径为0 mm变形后,样品弧顶部分奥氏体的体积分数由12.3%降至1.1%,维氏硬度由295HV1增至364HV1,晶粒尺寸由4.07μm增至4.30μm。主要原因是在冷弯过程在中奥氏体组织发生塑性变形,奥氏体晶界变形消失,沿冷弯方向呈拉伸带状组织形貌,冷弯形变时奥氏体发生TRIP效应显著。     

ULCB钢的奥氏体形变组织研究

采用单道次压缩实验方法,用THERMECHMASTOR-Z热模拟试验机在1 100～850℃、变形速率2 s-1和变形量10%～50%的应变条件下,对900 Mpa级ULCB钢进行应力-应变曲线和奥氏体形变组织的试验.结果表明,在950℃以下的低温变形中不发牛形变再结晶,随着变形量增大,先出现晶内形变带直到晶粒拉长变形.在1 000℃以上的高温变形中,当变形量大于临界变形量时发生形变再结晶.随着变形量增大,奥氏体再结晶晶粒面积百分数依次增加,形变组织为部分或完全再结晶奥氏体,奥氏体晶粒平均截距的大小取决于形变再结晶奥氏体的晶粒尺寸和面积百分数.     

微量Zr添加对Mn-Mo-Nb-Cu-B钢晶粒长大倾向性的影响

设计了一种低碳Mn-Mo-Nb-Cu-Zr-B钢,经热处理工艺,采用中等冷速冷却,可得到以板条贝氏体为主,含粒状贝氏体和针状铁素体的混合组织,轧态屈服强度大于850MPa,达到X120管线钢的强度要求.TEM观察表明,0.015%Zr(质量分数)添加到钢中形成大量含Zr的复杂的碳氮化物,它们的形状不规则,尺寸约为80~200nm;从形态看,它们在高温形成,并且由于其熔点高,再加热到1200℃时,这种析出物中的Ti、Nb会有部分溶解,使其尺寸有所减小,利于控制奥氏体晶粒长大;其他近椭球形的(Ti,Nb)(C,N)则在加热时逐渐溶解直至消失.由于这种含Zr析出物在钢的基体中均匀分布,加热到高温时,它们会明显阻碍晶界移动,从而使含Zr钢的奥氏体晶粒长大倾向性明显比不含Zr钢小.可见,添加微量Zr能够起到提高钢材焊接性能的作用.     

Effect of initial grain size of austenite on hot-deformed structure of Ni-30Fe alloy

The microstructural evolutions of Ni-30Fe alloys during hot deformation are investigated. Hot-deformed structures of Ni-30Fe alloys with initial austenite grain sizes of 20 and 140 μm are examined under various compressive strains and deformation temperatures. As the initial austenite grain size decreases, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurs at lower compressive strain and lower deformation temperature. At deformation temperatures where dynamic recovery occurs instead of the DRX, hot-deformed structures consist of recovered elongated grains until fine-equiaxed grains are evolved by geometric DRX. Critical compressive strain for the geometric DRX decreases with the decrease of initial austenite grain size. Geometric DRX is evolved by the impingement of serrated grain boundaries. The decrease of initial grain size is considered to reduce the critical compressive strain needed for the impingement of serrated grain boundaries. The changes in the effective thickness of austenite grain according to the compressive deformation are examined and the effects of the restoration processes on the effective thickness of austenite grain are discussed.     

Effect of interpass time on austenite grain refinement by means of dynamic recrystallization of austenite

A 0.06 pct C-0.3 pct Mn and a 0.07 pct C-0.6 pct Mn-0.028 pct Nb steel were deformed in torsion at a constant strain rate of 2/s. Two schedules were used. In schedule A, seven roughing passes executed between 1260°C and 1130°C were followed by a single large finishing pass with a strain of 3.5 at constant temperatures between 1010°C and 840°C. The time between roughing and finishing was 200 seconds. In schedule B, the seven roughing passes were followed by 10 finishing passes, again applied isothermally, with strains of 0.3 and interpass times of 0.6, 2, and 10 seconds. The results indicate that for the Nb steel, low rolling temperatures (870°C) and strains above 2 are required for complete dynamic recrystallization, which results in austenite grain sizes under 6μm. Cooled at a rate of 10°C/s, the dynamically recrystallized austenite grain structures transform into ferrite with grain sizes under 4 μ. Extrapolations from the present data suggest that at industrial strain rates and cooling rates, ferrite grain sizes under 2 μm should be achieved. Y.W. BOWDEN, formerly CSIRA Research Associate, Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, McGill University     

Influence of heat treatment on the structure and mechanical properties of chrome steel with unstable austenite

The structure and mechanical properties of 35Kh12G3MVFDR steel are investigated. After normalization or quenching, the steel contains up to 35 vol % austenite and may be assigned to the martensitic–austenitic class. On heat treatment—tempering, isothermal holding, or isothermal quenching—the austenite is converted to martensite within 2 h. The martensite in 35Kh12G3MVFDR steel is more thermally stable: the first signs of its conversion to sorbitic structure are observed after 25-h isothermal quenching at 640°C, and its complete decomposition requires 50 h. The breakdown of martensite is accompanied by decrease in the high-temperature strength and hardness. Aging of the quenched and tempered 35Kh12G3MVFDR steel at 670–720°C lowers the hardness from 61–65 HRA to 55–60 HRA after 1600–3200 h and the yield point at 20°C from 1350 MPa to 750–850 MPa. Likewise, the yield point at 720°C declines from 310 MPa to 160–230 MPa after 600 h and then stops. The state of the martensitic structure of 35Kh12G3MVFDR steel determines its creep resistance at 700°C. For example, the martensite remains in the steel structure after relatively brief isothermal quenching (up to 24 h at 640°C), and consequently the creep limit σ^700°C _0.1%/h is no lower than after simple quenching with subsequent high tempering: 86.2 ± 9.4 MPa and 89.3 ± 8.8 MPa, respectively. At the same time, in response to the decomposition of martensitic structure as a result of prolonged aging (1600 h at 670°C), σ^700°C _0.1%/h declines to 63.9 ± 7.1 MPa. In contrast to martensite, the austenite in 35Kh12G3MVFDR steel is thermally unstable and is converted to martensite after only 1–2 h of heating, depending on the temperature.     

Effect of thermomechanical processing on the retained austenite content in a Si-Mn transformation-induced-plasticity steel

The influence of hot deformation on the microstructure of a hot-rolled Si-Mn transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) steel was evaluated in an effort to better control retained austenite content. In this study, axial compressive strains varying in amounts from 0 to 60 pct were imposed in the austenite phase field, and effects on the formation of polygonal ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite were determined. In addition, modifications in simulated coiling temperature from 420 °C to 480 °C and cooling rates from the rolling temperature, between 10 °C/s and 35 °C/s, were assessed. Fast cooling rates, low coiling temperatures, and low degrees of hot deformation were generally found to decrease the amount of polygonal ferrite and increase retained austenite fraction. Unexpectedly, a sharp increase in polygonal ferrite content and decrease in retained austenite content occurred when the fastest cooling rate, 35 °C/s, was coupled with extensive hot deformation and high coiling temperatures. This effect is believed to be due to insufficient time for full recovery and recrystallization of the deformed austenite, even in the absence of intentional microalloying additions to control recrystallization kinetics. The resultant decrease in hardenability allowed the ferrite transformation to continue into the holding time at high (simulated) coiling temperatures.     

Deformation of metastable austenite and resulting properties during the ausform-finishing of 1 pct carburized AlSl 9310 steel gears

The process of ausform-finishing in gears involves the deformation of metastable austenite. A critical step in optimizing the deformation process is to determine the link between material deformation behavior and final material properties, such as hardness and microstructure. To this end, uniaxial compression testing was carried out on 1 pct carburized AISI 9310 steel specimens in the low-temperature ausforming regime (85 °C to 230 °C). The work-hardening response of metastable austenite and its relation to the hardness and microstructure was determined from these experiments. High work-hardening rates (work-hardening exponent n=0.4 to 0.7) were caused by deformation-induced transformation of metastable austenite to either martensite or bainite or both. It is postulated that, at the ausforming temperatures in the neighborhood of 230 °C, bainite formed at the highest achievable strains of 50 pct while oriented martensite (loading induced) was detectable at lower strains of 20 pct. The hardness of the resulting ausformed microstructure increased with degree of straining and with reduction in temperature of ausforming. An X-ray determination of the retained austenite content showed that austenite tends to stabilize even after minimal ausforming. A transmission electron microscopy study on ausformed specimens showed the presence of microtwinning and high-dislocation densities. The effect of processing parameters on fatigue response under rolling contact conditions is discussed given current understanding and available fatigue data.     

Effect of Si on austenite stabilization, martensite morphology, and magnetic properties in Fe-26%Ni-x%Si alloys

The effect of Si on the austenite stabilization, martensite morphology, and magnetic properties in Fe-26%Ni-x%Si (x=3.5, 5, and 6)alloys have been studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and M(o)ssbauer spectroscopy techniques. TEM observations reveal that the martensite morphology is closely dependent on the Si content. The volume fraction changes of martensite and austenite phases,the hyperfine magnetic field, and isomer shift values have been determined by M(o)ssbauer spectroscopy. The M(o)ssbauer study reveals that the hyperfme magnetic field, the isomer shift values and the volume fiaction of martensite decrease with increasing Si content.