The formation of martensite in splat-quenched Fe-Mn and Fe-Ni-C alloys

A two-piston splat-quenching technique has been used to prepare splat-quenched Fe-Mn alloys with 0 to 20 wt % Mn, and splat-quenched Fe-Ni-C alloys with a nominal carbon content of 0.1 wt % and 0 to 40 wt % Ni. The resulting alloy microstructures have been investigated by a combination of optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and microhardness testing; and the splat-quenched structures have been compared with the microstructures of similar alloys prepared by conventional solid-state quenching. In both alloy systems, splat-quenching produces a very small as-solidified austenite grain size, and a depression of the martensite transformation temperature as shown by an increased tendency to retain austenite to low temperatures. Because of the combination of a small austenite grain size and, therefore, fine scale martensite structure, splat-quenched martensitic alloys of Fe-Mn and Fe-Ni-C exhibit very high microhardness values.     

Revealing the role of site occupation in phase stability,magnetic and electronic properties of Ni-Mn-In alloys by ab initio approach

The effects of site occupation on the phase stability,martensitic transformation,and the magnetic and electronic properties of a full series of Ni-Mn-In alloys are theoretically studied by using the ab initio calculations.Results indicate that the excess atoms of the rich component directly take the sublattices of the deficient components of the Ni2Mn1+xIn1-x,Ni2-xMn1+xIn,and Ni2+xMn1-xIn alloys.Nevertheless,the mixed and indirect site occupations may coexist in the Ni2+xMnIn1-x system.The relevant magnetic configurations of the austenite for the four alloy systems have also been determined.The results show that,except for the austenite in the Ni2-xMn1+xIn alloys,which tend to be ferrimagnetic,the other alloys all present ferromagnetic austenite.Thus,the site occupation and associated magnetic states are the crucial influencing factors of the phase stability,martensitic transformation,and the total magnetic moment.The electronic structure of the austenite phase also shows that the covalent bonding plays an important role in the phase stability.The key finding of this work is both Ni2Mn1+xIn1-x and Ni2+xMnIn1-x alloys serve as the potential shape memory alloys.     

Effects of focused ion beam milling on austenite stability in ferrous alloys

The susceptibility of fcc austenite to transform to bcc during focused ion beam milling was studied in three commercial stainless steels. The alloys investigated, in order of increasing austenite stability, were: (i) a model maraging steel, Sandvik 1RK91; (ii) an AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel; and (iii) AL-6XN, a super-austenitic stainless steel. Small trenches were milled across multiple austenite grains in each alloy using a 30 kV Ga⁺ ion beam at normal incidence to the specimen surface. The ion beam dose was controlled by varying the trench depth and the beam current. The factors influencing the transformation of fcc austenite to bcc (listed in order of decreasing influence) were found to be: (i) alloy composition (i.e., austenite stability), (ii) ion beam dose (or trench depth), and (iii) crystallographic orientation of the austenite grains. The ion beam current had a negligible influence on the FIB-induced transformation of austenite in these alloys.     

Incomplete transformation of upper bainite in Nb bearing low carbon steels

Abstract

Kinetics and microstructure of bainite transformation in Fe–(0·15 or 0·05)C–0·2Si–1·5Mn (mass%) alloys with Nb addition of 0·03 mass%. Bainite transformation occurs at temperatures below 873 K. At 853 K, transformation rapidly proceeds by formation of bainitic ferrite without carbide precipitation, but transformation stasis appears for a certain period in the Nb added alloys leaving untransformed austenite film between neighbouring bainitic ferrites. On the other band, the Nb free alloys do not show such a stasis until the transformation is completed. By further holding, the transformation in the Nb added alloy restarts by forming the mixture of dislocation free ferrite with cementite precipitation in the austenite films. In contrast, bainite transformation accompanying cementite precipitation occurs in both Nb free and Nb added alloys at 773 K, resulting in no difference in transformation kinetics. It is proposed that the incomplete transformation is caused by suppression of ferrite nucleation at interphase boundaries between pre-existing bainitic ferrite and austenite due to Nb segregation.     

A Review on the Regulation of Magnetic Transitions and the Related Magnetocaloric Properties in Ni-Mn-Co-Sn Alloys

In Ni-Mn-X(X=In,Sn,Sb) ferromagnetic shape memory alloys,a ferromagnetic transition from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic austenite and a martensitic transformation from ferromagnetic austenite to weak magnetic martensite occur in some particular composition ranges,in which abundant physical properties have been observed by the abrupt change of magnetization and resistivity around their transition temperatures in these alloys.Therefore,tuning the martensitic transformation temperature(TM) and enlarging the workingtemperature interval for Ni-Mn-X(X=In,Sn,Sb) alloys,are of great importance.In the present paper,we will focus on the effect of external factors,including pre-deformation,annealing,and high pressure annealing,on the magnetic transitions and the related magnetocaloric properties in Ni-Mn-Co-Sn ferromagnetic shape memory alloys.Our approaches and the main results in this particular field will be reviewed.     

Relations between the Lattice Parameter and the Stability of Austenite against ε Martensite for the Fe-Mn Based Alloys

The influences of lattice parameter of austenite, the electron concentration, the yield strength of parent phase on γ→ε emartensite start temperature Ms in the Fe-Mn alloys containing C, Al, Ge and Si have been experimentally investigated. The results show that the lattice parameter of austenite is more important than the electron concentration and the yield strength of parent phase in governing the γ→ε martensitic transformation in Fe-Mn based alloys. A relation between the Ms and lattice parameter of austenite in Fe-Mn based alloys is suggested. The elements Mn, C, Al, Ge, which increase the lattice parameter of austenite lower the Ms; while the element Si, which decreases the lattice parameter increases the Ms. The depressing effect of antiferromagnetic transition on the γ→ε martensitic transformation may be related to the increase of lattice parameter due to the positive magnetostriction during the antiferromagnetic transition.     

凝固温度对稀土夹杂物成为初生奥氏体非均质形核核心作用的影响

以铈为例采用二维点阵错配度理论对其氧化物、硫化物和硫氧化物在不同凝固温度下成为Ｆｅ－Ｃ合金中初生奥氏体非均质形核核心的有效性进行了分析和计算。随着凝固温度的降低,稀土夹杂物成为初生γ相非均质形核核心的有效性增加。     

High-Pressure Processing and Characterization of Fe–High-C/N Alloys

A new process has been developed that results in (i) enhanced nitrogen addition to ferritic iron–carbon alloys and (ii) melt-casting in a single operation. This new processing technique enables Fe–C alloys to retain high nitrogen interstitial concentrations and to reduce significantly, and possibly eliminate, carbide formation. In this study two commercial-grade, steel alloys were cast under elevated nitrogen pressures, resulting in solid solution (austenite, ferrite, and martensite) high-carbon and high-nitrogen iron alloys that were, within detection limits, carbide- and nitride-free. These alloys were subsequently thermally processed to transform part of the retained austenite to martensite. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys were studied as a function of carbon and nitrogen composition and as a function of thermal processing. The retain high nitrogen concentrations in these cast and processed iron–carbon alloys resulted in a substantial improvement in compression strengths.     

EFFECTSOF AUSTENITE STRENGTHENING AND THE DIFFUSION OF IRON AND CARBON ATOMS ON BAINITIC TRANSFORMATIONS

研究了三个Fe-Ni-C 合金及三个工业用钢的奥氏体强化对M_s 及B_s 的影响。M_s 随着奥氏体屈服强度的增加而线性下降,而B_s 和奥氏体强度之间无任何直接关系。统计结果表明。在合金元素和其他条件基本不变的前提下,奥氏体碳含量和贝氏体相变点(B_S~I 或B_S~C)无任何直接关系,而和马氏体相变点(M_s)之间存在着单词的反比关系。理论计算发现,三个Fe-Ni-C 合金的B_s 与D_C~γ和D_(Fc)~γ成正比线性关系,求出这三个合金TTT 度图上鼻部温的△G_ν及D_(Fc)~γ,则它们的孕育期正比于Feder 等对扩散型相变孕育期公式,说明鼻部温度时贝氏体孕育期受化学自由能差及Fe 原子扩散的控制。     

The morphology of martensite in Fe-C,Fe-Ni-C and Fe-Cr-C alloys

The morphology of martensite in widely varying series of Fe-C, Fe-Ni-C and Fe-Cr-C alloys was investigated using optical microscopy. The effects of formation temperature and alloying elements on the martensite morphology were studied in detail. It was found that in Fe-C alloys, lath martensite forms in alloys with less than 0.8wt% carbon, butterfly martensite forms in alloys with between 0.98 and 1.42wt% carbon and lenticular martensite forms in alloys with more than 1.56wt% carbon. In Fe-Ni-C alloys, four different martensite morphologies form depending upon the formation temperature and composition, and for alloys of a fixed carbon content the martensite morphology changes from lath to butterfly to lenticular to thin plate as the formation temperature is decreased. In Fe-Cr-C alloys, lath martensite forms at high temperature, and below the lath formation temperature mainly {2 2 5}_f plate martensite is formed. Based on the results obtained, the importance of the strength of austenite, and the austenite stacking fault energy to the martensite morphology was discussed.     

Bruchmechanische Eigenschaften von metastabilen Austeniten

Fracture Mechanical Properties of Metastable Austenites The effect of a martensitic tranformation at the crack tip on fracture mechanical properties was investigated with FeNiAl-model alloys. Transformable austenite and martensite obtained by deep-cooling showed a completely different behaviour. The martensite has high yield stress, normal dependence of fracture toughness of specimen diameter, and a low threshold for the start of fatigue crack growth. Characteristic for the metastable austenite is a high work hardening ability (at a low yield stress) by stress-induced martensitic transformation in a zone at the crack tip, which is surrounded by untransformed austenite. This leads to a compressive internal stress, which impedes crack growth. A consequence is a high fracture toughness, which even increases with specimen thickness, and a very high threshold value for fatigue crack growth. Localized stress induced martensitic transformation associated with a positiv volume change can explain the anomalous fracture mechanical properties of the alloys in the metastable austenitic state.     

关于Fe－Mn－Si合金在T_N以下马氏体转变问题的讨论

在Ｆｅ－Ｍｎ－Ｓｉ类型形状记忆合金中，奥氏体在高温是顺磁性的，温度降低到奈耳点Ｔ＿Ｎ以下就转变为反铁磁性的。本文从理论和实验上说明，反铁磁状态的奥氏体仍有可能转变为六方晶格的马氏体。     

Stagnation zone during the turning of Duplex SAF 2205 stainless steels alloy

Duplex stainless alloys are extremely sensitive to cutting speed for strain hardening during machining. Tool wear for these materials is dominated by the adhesion wear because of formation of built-up edge (BUE) that upsurges the flank wear considerably. In addition, flute damage is a significant problem during drilling of those alloys. To address this issue, this paper investigates the mechanism of BUE creation in stagnation region of duplex SAF 2205 alloys during material removal by turning process. The investigation of chip root through SEM and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed build-up of ferritic bands at the stagnation zone. Higher capacity of austenite phase to deform plastically is accountable for the ferrite build-up. This was detected as a possible activating mechanism of built-up edge. The flow pattern of austenite phase designates faster deforming compare to that of ferrite phases.     

High carbon–nitrogen iron alloys

A new processing technique produces high carbon–high nitrogen iron alloys by melting iron-carbon steels in a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) furnace with nitrogen as the pressurizing gas. Furnace cooling O-1 tool steel with enhanced nitrogen concentrations resulted in the retention of the austenite phase without formation of carbide and nitride precipitates. The duplex austenite/ferrite structure has enhanced hardness, strength, and wear resistance.     

A Mixed-control Mechanism Model of Proeutectoid Ferrite Growth under Non-equilibrium Interface Condition in Fe-C Alloys

By combining the α/γ interface migration and the carbon diffusion at the interface in Fe-C alloys, a mathematical model is constructed to describe the mixed-control mechanism for proeutectoid ferrite formation from austenite. In this model, the α/γ interface is treated as non-equilibrium interface, i.e., the carbon concentration of austenite at γ/α interface is obtained through theoretical calculation, instead of that assumed as the local equilibrium concentration.For isothermal precipitation of ferrite in Fe-C alloys, the calculated results show that the rate of interface migration decreases monotonically during the whole process, while the rate of carbon diffusion from γ/α interface into austenite increases to a peak value and then decreases. The process of ferrite growth may be considered as composed of three stages: the period of rapid growth, slow growth and finishing stage. The results also show that the carbon concentration of austenite at γ/α interface could not reach the thermodynamic equilibrium value even at the last stage of ferrite growth.     

Effects of high austenitizing temperature and austenite deformation on formation of martensite in Fe-Ni-C alloys

The effects of high austenitizing temperature and the deformation of austenite matrix below the range of strain-induced martensite formation on the morphology, substructure and crystallography of martensite formed in different Fe-Ni-C alloys have been studied by means of transmission electron microscopy. The formation behaviours of both thermal and stress-assisted martensites were examined under various physical conditions and martensite morphology was found to be closely dependent on the high austenitizing temperatures besides the influence of austenite deformation. Although the orientation relationship between austenite and thermally induced martensite was found as the Kurdjumov-Sachs type, it was also observed to change to Nishiyama-Wasserman type in the samples transformed under the stress-assisted conditions.     

Tensile and fatigue properties of Fe-Mn-Al-C alloys

The tensile properties and fatigue behaviour of three solution-treated Fe-29 Mn-9 Al-C (wt%) alloys having various carbon contents leading to different volume fractions of austenite and ferrite phases were investigated. The carbon contents were 1.06%, 0.60% and 0.26%, respectively and the corresponding volume fractions of austenite were 100%, 90% and 45%, respectively. The alloy having 1.06% carbon possessed the best tensile properties but its fatigue behaviour was only comparable to the other two alloys with lower carbon contents. The alloy having 0.60% carbon possessed the lowest yield strength, but its fatigue life was slightly better than other two alloys. The alloy having 0.26% C possessed lowest elongation and medium strength, and its fatigue life was comparable to the other two alloys. Their tensile properties and fatigue behaviour were explained in terms of crack initiation, crack propagation, grain size, constituent arrangement and constituent fraction.     

Zr对Ti微合金化低碳钢形变奥氏体再结晶和析出相的影响

通过多道次模拟压缩实验，研究不同Zr和Ti含量的三种Ti微合金化低碳钢在950℃~1050℃形变奥氏体再结晶和析出相的变化和最佳变形温度。结果表明，Ti含量的提高和Zr的加入使Ti微合金钢形变奥氏体的再结晶和晶粒长大延迟。Zr的加入还能增加Ti微合金钢中析出相的数量、改善析出相尺寸分布的均匀性进而得到相对均匀的奥氏体组织。变形温度为1000℃时的Ti-Zr微合金钢奥氏体组织最细小均匀。     

Interdiffusion measurement of niobium and tantalum in iron base alloys

Abstract

Interdiffusion measurements of Nb and Ta in Fe base alloys have been made. Dilute alloys containing up to 0·6 wt-%Nb or 0·56 wt-% Ta were prepared. Diffusion couples of these alloys against pure Fe were made by spot welding. After vacuum annealing, diffusion profiles were obtained using electron probe microanalysis. The diffusion parameters were determined at one standard deviation using the Grube method. In austenite, interdiffusion of Nb is in good agreement with previous tracer diffusion data. The diffusion rate of Ta in austenite is approximately six times that for self-diffusion of Fe. Inferrite, diffusion of Ta produces a higher value of activation energy than other transition metals. Attempts to measure the diffusivity of Nb inferrite failed owing to the different levels of concentration and the presence of an intermetallic phase. However, a solubility of Nb inferrite of less than 0·24 wt-% is reported.

MST/1162     

Dependence of physical properties of Fe−Ni alloys on the content of reversed austenite and austenite induced by hydrogenation

We performed a comprehensive investigation of physical properties (Young's modulus, density, coefficient of thermoelectromotive force, saturation magnetic induction, and specific resistance) of Fe−Ni alloys (10–31 wt. % of Ni) with various content of austenite formed in the α→γ transformation in various temperature and time regions and on hydrogenation. We revealed their complex nonadditive dependence on the reversed austenite content and established the regions of specific influence of the reversed austeinite content on the physical properties of alloys, the dependence being exponential at an austenite content of up to 25–30 %. The influence of high-temperature hydrogenation on the properties of Fe−Ni alloys is found to be more significant in the two-phase (α+γ)-state as compared with one-phase ones. Karpenko Physicomechanical Institute, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, L'viv; Ternopil State Pedagogic University, Ternopil. Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 60–66, March–April, 1999.