Effect of Niobium on Transformations From Austenite to Ferrite in Low Carbon Steels

Niobium has an important effect on the transformation behaviour,grain size refinement and precipitation strengthening during hot rolling and subsequent cooling in low carbon steels,with even a low content of niobium having a strong effect on the transformation rate from austenite to ferrite.However,the effects of niobium on transformation behaviour have not been fully characterised and understood to date.This paper examines in detail austenite grain growth as a function of austenitisation time in high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels with three different niobium contents,together with the effect of niobium on the isothermal transformation kinetics from austenite to ferrite as a function of temperature.It is shown that austenite has the slowest grain growth rate in the steel with the highest niobium content.When austenite grain sizes are consistent,the steel with the highest niobium content was found to have the slowest transformation rate from austenite to ferrite.     

Nb的析出对变形诱导铁素体相变的影响

通过Gleeble2000热模拟实验机，研究了X65管线钢中Nb在变形奥氏体中的析出状态对变形诱导铁素体相变（DIFT）的影响。试验结果表明，在奥氏体临界区变形时，第一道次变形后，随变形后等温时间延长，诱导铁素体量变化不大。等温时间达120S时，变形奥氏体仍未发生再结晶。在道次间随时间延长，Nb的析出量增加，第二道次变形后诱导的铁素体也显著增加。微合金元素Nb通过碳氮化物的析出作用促进变形诱导铁素体相变。     

Niobium Carbide Precipitation in Microalloyed Steel

The precipitation of niobium carbo‐nitrides in the austenite phase, interphase and ferrite phase of microalloyed steel was assessed by a critical literature review and a round table discussion. This work analyses the contribution of niobium carbide precipitates formed in ferrite in the precipitation hardening of commercially hot rolled strip. Thermodynamics and kinetics of niobium carbo‐nitride precipitation as well as the effect of deformation and temperature on the precipitation kinetics are discussed in various examples to determine the amount of niobium in solid solution that will be available for precipitation hardening after thermomechanical rolling in the austenite phase and successive phase transformation.     

Microstructure and Transformation Characteristics of Acicular Ferrite in High Niobium-Bearing Microalloyed Steel

 The transformation behavior and microstructural characteristics of a low carbon high Nb-bearing microalloyed pipeline steel have been investigated by deformation dilatometry and microstructure observation. The continuous cooling transformation curves (CCT) of the tested steel was constructed. High Nb content and deformation enhancing the formation of acicular ferrite; the microstructures are range from PF, QF to AF with increasing cooling rates from 0.5 to 50℃/s and dominated by acicular ferrite in a broadened cooling rate higher than 5℃/s. The chaotic microstructure consists of non-equiaxed ferrite and interwoven ferrite laths distributed high density dislocations and sununits. The results of isothermal holding show that acicular ferrite microstructure is formed in region of 550-600℃. With the holding time or temperature increased, some low misorientations boundaries change to high misotrentationn as dislocations moving and grain boundaries coarsening.     

Effect of Dissolved and Precipitated Niobium in Microalloyed Steel on Deformation Induced Ferrite Transformation （DIFT）

 Hot deformation processing was designed to study the effects of niobium (Nb) on DIFT. A prestrain of 051 at 880 ℃ for different isothermal time was used for adjusting the deformed austenite constitution and Nb existing state, followed by a secondary heavy deformation at 780 ℃ for inducing the ferrite transformation. The volume fraction and grain size of deformation induced ferrite (DIF) obtained at different isothermal time between double hits were investigated. It was found that Nb dissolved in austenite is adverse to DIFT; however, the precipitation of Nb is beneficial to DIFT. As Nb plays the role in the conventional TMCP, Nb retards the recrystallization of deformed austenite and enhances the deformation stored energy in the multipass deformation, and in result, Nb promotes DIFT.     

奥氏体形变对50CrV4钢相变行为的影响

利用Thermecmastor-Z型热模拟试验机,结合金相显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、维氏硬度计等,系统研究了奥氏体区变形对50CrV4钢连续冷却相变和等温相变规律的影响。建立了试验钢动态CCT曲线。研究结果表明,奥氏体变形能促进连续冷却转变过程中铁素体-珠光体、贝氏体转变,但亦可提高奥氏体的机械稳定性,进而抑制马氏体转变,Ms点由331.6℃(奥氏体未变形)降低至291℃(950℃下变形50%+890℃下变形50%,变形速率均为5s-1,变形后冷速为20℃/s)。当轧后冷速小于0.5℃/s时,试验钢中可获得铁素体+珠光体组织。此外,在研究不同变形量对试验钢等温相变规律影响时发现,650℃等温时,试验钢中发生铁素体-珠光体相变。随着变形量的增加(由30%增加至50%),其等温相变动力学加快(相变完成时间由197.6s减小至136.5s),铁素体体晶粒尺寸、珠光体片层间距减小,硬度增加。     

铌对低碳钢形变强化相变的影响

利用热模拟压缩变形实验研究了含铌钢和相应成分的低碳钢过冷奥氏体形变强化相变的组织演变规律,探讨了铌在析出状态时对形变强化相变的影响,进行了转变动力学曲线的分析.结果表明:形变强化相变之前有Nb(CN)析出可以显著促进铁素体形核.含铌钢的过冷奥氏体在A₃~A_r³之间变形,可以得到平均晶粒尺寸为1.9μm的形变强化相变铁素体.其转变动力学与低碳钢相类似,以形变强化相变为主;在铁素体转变基本完成时,含铌钢的铁素体晶粒较细小.     

The isothermal decomposition of austenite in hot-rolled microalloyed steels

The isothermal decomposition of austenite has been examined in a set of 0.1 C, 1.4 Mn steels containing small amounts of Ti, V, or Nb. The volume fraction of ferrite was measured as a function of transformation temperature and holding time, after hot rolling. Precipitation of carbonitrides, in both the austenite and the ferrite, was examined by electron microscopy of extraction replicas. The decomposition is slowest in the Nb-alloyed steel, in which the start of transformation is delayed and ferrite growth rates are much lower than in the other steels. In the V-alloyed steels, ferrite growth rates are lower than in the plain carbon or Ti alloyed steels. These results are discussed in terms of the effects of carbonitride precipitation in the austenite during high temperature deformation and in the ferrite during transformation. The roles of V and Nb in solution are also considered.     

In-Situ High-Energy X-ray Diffraction Study of Austenite Decomposition During Rapid Cooling and Isothermal Holding in Two HSLA Steels

In-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction experiments with high temporal resolution during rapid cooling (280 °C s⁻¹) and isothermal heat treatments (at 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C for 30 minutes) were performed to study austenite decomposition in two commercial high-strength low-alloy steels. The rapid phase transformations occurring in these types of steels are investigated for the first time in-situ, aiding a detailed analysis of the austenite decomposition kinetics. For the low hardenability steel with main composition Fe-0.08C-1.7Mn-0.403Si-0.303Cr in weight percent, austenite decomposition to polygonal ferrite and bainite occurs already during the initial cooling. However, for the high hardenability steel with main composition Fe-0.08C-1.79Mn-0.182Si-0.757Cr-0.094Mo in weight percent, the austenite decomposition kinetics is retarded, chiefly by the Mo addition, and therefore mainly bainitic transformation occurs during isothermal holding; the bainitic transformation rate at the isothermal holding is clearly enhanced by lowered temperature from 550 °C to 500 °C and 450 °C. During prolonged isothermal holding, carbide formation leads to decreased austenite carbon content and promotes continued bainitic ferrite formation. Moreover, at prolonged isothermal holding at higher temperatures some degenerate pearlite form.

     

等温压缩对高强度汽车钢WHT1300HF的马氏体相变及微观组织的影响

通过等温形变研究了形变参数(形变温度、形变速率、形变量)对高强度汽车钢WHT1300HF的微观组织转变和形貌的影响规律。研究结果表明:增加奥氏体等温形变量,有利于铁素体的缺陷形核,促进了形变奥氏体向铁素体转变;奥氏体的形变强化导致马氏体相变阻力增大,马氏体相变开始温度(Ms)下降,细小晶粒数量和小角度晶界数量增多;增加奥氏体等温形变(40%)速率能同时促进马氏体和铁素体相变,但马氏体体积分数和小角度晶界数量减少,细小晶粒数量略有提高;降低等温形变温度加剧奥氏体的形变强化,导致Ms温度下降,马氏体体积分数、小角度晶界比例减少,细小晶粒数量增多,铁素体含量明显增加。     

Dilatometric Investigation on Isothermal Transformation after Hot Deformation

Itiswellknownthattheferritetransformationisacceleratedandenhancedbyaustenitedeforma tion ,especiallyinnon recrystallizationregion ,andbysubsequentcoolingwithrelativehighrate[1] .Suchprocessobviouslyrefinestheferritegrainandotherphasetransformationproductsandbecomesaneffectivewaytoimprovethepropertiesofsteel ,basedonwhichthecontrolledrollingandcontrolledcoolingtechniquegoesforwardfurther .　　However ,someyearsago ,itwasfoundthatthedeformationofunder cooledaustenitecaninducefer ritetransformati…     

两阶段冷却工艺对基于应变设计X70管线钢组织的影响

 铁素体-贝氏体双相组织钢能够通过软硬相协调屈服抵抗大变形,这是基于应变设计管线钢的研究热点。为探究生产工艺对双相组织形态的影响规律,利用Gleeble-3800热模拟试验机,通过压缩试验模拟轧制和冷却,研究了两阶段冷却工艺对基于应变设计X70管线钢形变奥氏体组织转变的影响。结果表明：一阶段缓冷后的待温处理使铁素体形核温度降低,有效提高了铁素体形核率,起到细化晶粒作用;降低二阶段快冷开冷温度可以增加铁素体析出时间,从而增加铁素体的含量;二阶段快冷中,提高冷却速率和降低终冷温度均可细化贝氏体组织的板条间距以及板条间的碳化物,提高了贝氏体显微维氏硬度。     

低碳钢在形变作用下产生的超平衡数量铁素体

试验研究了低碳钢变形后经历等温及随后快冷的组织转变,发现在Ae3附近及以下一定温度范围内大变形会使室温组织中出现超平衡数量的铁素体.形变后等温,出现超平衡数量铁素体向奥氏体的逆相变,该弛豫过程具有类似C曲线的动力学特征;而且经过等温后,伴随着铁素体数量的减少存在其晶粒尺寸增大的现象.随着变形温度的降低,超平衡数量铁素体在数量以及晶粒尺寸上的稳定性均提高.     

形变诱导铁素体逆相变过程中的组织及取向变化

 通过对普碳钢Q235在Gleeble1500热模拟机上变形后的微观组织分析,研究了组织中形变诱导的铁素体在变形后保温阶段转变为奥氏体的逆相变现象;并利用背散射电子衍射(EBSD)技术分析了晶粒取向变化。结果表明,在变形后的保温过程中,形变诱导的铁素体先逆相变为奥氏体,同时伴随着诱导铁素体晶粒的长大;然后随着变形后保温时间的延长,逆相变后的奥氏体由马氏体相变逐渐过渡到铁素体的平衡转变,相应地铁素体由具有少量亚结构的形变诱导铁素体逐渐转变为具有较多亚结构的先共析铁素体。     

低于Ms温度变形对等温贝氏体相变动力学和组织的影响

摘要：变形和等温热处理是高强贝氏体钢主要生产工艺,已有研究表明低于马氏体相变起始温度（Ms）的等温热处理可以促进贝氏体相变动力学,低温奥氏体预变形也可以加速贝氏体相变。研究了低于Ms温度变形对后续等温贝氏体相变动力学和组织的影响,结果表明,并未出现预想的加速相变叠加效应,反而,变形温度低于Ms温度时,贝氏体相变动力学减弱,等温贝氏体相变孕育期延长。低于Ms温度等温相变时,贝氏体铁素体与母相奥氏体位向关系接近K-S关系,变形试样虽然获得了一部分先马氏体,且能提高贝氏体形核率,但并非所有的胚核都能发生长大,变形改变母相奥氏体取向,使贝氏体原本的位向关系遭受破坏,导致有效形核率降低。     

Effect of Thermo‐Mechanical Process on Phase Transformation Behaviors of V–Ti–N Microalloyed Steel

Thermo‐mechanical simulation tests were performed on V–Ti–N microalloyed steel under three hot working conditions by using Gleeble‐3800 thermo‐mechanical simulator to study the effects of hot deformation and post‐deformation holding process on the continuous cooling transformation behaviors of overcooled austenite. The continuous cooling transformation diagrams (CCT diagrams) were determined by thermal dilation method and metallographic method. The effects of the hot deformation, post‐deformation holding, and cooling rate on the microstructure evolution were analyzed. The results show that deformation promotes ferrite and pearlite transformation. In addition, deformation leads to an increase in bainite start temperature, which becomes more markedly with the increase in cooling rate. The post‐deformation holding process is much favorable to promote carbonitride precipitation of the microalloying elements, which contributes to ferrite nucleation and smaller austenite grains. As a result, an increase in ferrite quantity and a decrease in ferrite grain size can be observed. And further more, the post‐deformation holding process reduces the effect of hot deformation on the bainite start temperature.     

Influence of Holding Time After Deformation on Bainite Transformation in Niobium Microalloyed Steel

  Using Gleeble 1500 system, the influence of holding time on bainite transformation in deformed niobium microalloyed steel during continuous cooling was analyzed, and the carbides in upper bainite were also systematically researched. The results show that the occurrence of the static recrystallization decreases the amount of bainite with an increase in the holding time and the emergence of retained austenite (RA) with the longer holding time. Two types of carbides were observed in upper bainite with regard to their precipitation sites. They either existed between the bainite ferrite laths or co existed with RA. The formation mechanism of two kinds of carbides was analyzed by combining TEM micrographs with the model.     

The Effect of Pre-Deformation at Elevated Temperatures on the Microstructure and Hardness of Boron Steel 22MnB5

To investigate the effects of the pre-deformation and deformation temperature on the microstructure and hardness of boron steel 22MnB5,isothermal tensile tests were carried out on the Gleeble 3800 system when the temperatures are 700℃,750℃,800℃,respectively.Three specimens were employed to obtain different deformation levels at each temperature.The cooling rate before and after deformation was 30℃/s.Then the microstructures of the specimens were observed and the harness of each specimen was measured.The results show the martensitic fraction decreases and the ferrite fraction increases with decreasing the deformation temperature or increasing the deformation level.The specimens deformed at higher temperature have greater hardness.The hot plastic deformation of austenite shortens the incubation period of ferrite transformation and accelerates the transformation rate.In addition,the isothermally holding time is longer in the case of a larger deformation amount,more austenite will transform to ferrite.Especially,the specimen deformed at 700℃ and with large deformation has almost full massive ferrite microstructure with larger size.     

A Study of the Influence of Thermomechanical Controlled Processing on the Microstructure of Bainite in High Strength Plate Steel

Steels with compositions that are hot rolled and cooled to exhibit high strength and good toughness often require a bainitic microstructure. This is especially true for plate steels for linepipe applications where strengths in excess of 690 MPa (100 ksi) are needed in thicknesses between approximately 6 and 30 mm. To ensure adequate strength and toughness, the steels should have adequate hardenability (C. E. >0.50 and Pcm >0.20), and are thermomechanically controlled processed, i.e., controlled rolled, followed by interrupted direct quenching to below the Bs temperature of the pancaked austenite. Bainite formed in this way can be defined as a polyphase mixture comprised a matrix phase of bainitic ferrite plus a higher carbon second phase or micro-constituent which can be martensite, retained austenite, or cementite, depending on circumstances. This second feature is predominately martensite in IDQ steels. Unlike pearlite, where the ferrite and cementite form cooperatively at the same moving interface, the bainitic ferrite and MA form in sequence with falling temperature below the Bs temperature or with increasing isothermal holding time. Several studies have found that the mechanical properties may vary strongly for different types of bainite, i.e., different forms of bainitic ferrite and/or MA. Thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) has been shown to be an important way to control the microstructure and mechanical properties in low carbon, high strength steel. This is especially true in the case of bainite formation, where the complexity of the austenite-bainite transformation makes its control through disciplined processing especially important. In this study, a low carbon, high manganese steel containing niobium was investigated to better understand the effects of austenite conditioning and cooling rates on the bainitic phase transformation, i.e., the formation of bainitic ferrite plus MA. Specimens were compared after transformation from recrystallized, equiaxed austenite to deformed, pancaked austenite, which were followed by seven different cooling rates ranging between 0.5 K/s (0.5 °C/s) and 40 K/s (40 °C/s). The CCT curves showed that the transformation behaviors and temperatures varied with starting austenite microstructure and cooling rate, resulting in different final microstructures. The EBSD results and the thermodynamics and kinetics analyses show that in low carbon bainite, the nucleation rate is the key factor that affects the bainitic ferrite morphology, size, and orientation. However, the growth of bainite is also quite important since the bainitic ferrite laths apparently can coalesce or coarsen into larger units with slower cooling rates or longer isothermal holding time, causing a deterioration in toughness. This paper reviews the formation of bainite in this steel and describes and rationalizes the final microstructures observed, both in terms of not only formation but also for the expected influence on mechanical properties.     

Effect of hot deformation and Nb precipitation on continuous cooling transformation of a high-Nb steel

In this work, the effects of hot deformation on continuous cooling transformation of a high-Nb steel were investigated on a Gleeble 3500 thermal simulator. The amounts of dissolved Nb were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Furthermore, the effects of hot deformation and Nb precipitation on phase transformation were discussed. Results showed that high-Nb steel is suitable for acicular ferrite pipeline steels because the acicular ferrite microstructure can be obtained in a wide cooling rate range. Hot deformation strongly accelerates the polygonal ferrite transformation and increases the critical cooling rate to obtain a full acicular ferrite microstructure. Moreover, hot deformation markedly refines the final microstructure and improves the mechanical properties of acicular ferrite obtained at a high cooling rate. However, hot deformation can also promote Nb precipitation during holding and even cooling at low rates after hot deformation. Nb precipitation dramatically promotes the polygonal ferrite, weakens the effect of Nb in solution on phase transformation and strengthening, and decreases the microhardness.