Mechanical properties of ultrafine grained ferritic steel sheets fabricated by rolling and annealing of duplex microstructure

A new route to fabricate ultrafine grained (UFG) ferritic steel sheets without severe plastic deformation is proposed in this article. A low-carbon steel sheet with a duplex microstructure composed of ferrite and martensite was cold-rolled to a reduction of 91% in thickness, and then annealed at 620–700 °C. The microstructure obtained through the process with annealing temperatures below 700 °C was the UFG ferrite including fine cementite particles homogenously dispersed. The grain size of ferrite matrix changed from 0.49 to 1.0 μm depending on the annealing temperature. Dynamic tensile properties of the produced UFG steels were investigated. The obtained UFG ferrite–cementite steels without martensite phase showed high strain rate sensitivity in flow stress. The UFG ferritic steels are expected to have high potential to absorb crash energy when applied to automobile body.     

Tensile properties of iron-based P/M steels with ferrite + martensite microstructure

The effect of intercritical heat treatments on the tensile properties of iron-based P/M steels was investigated. For this purpose, atomized iron powder (Ancorsteel 1000) was admixed with 0.3 wt.% graphite powder. Tensile test specimens were cold pressed at 700 MPa and sintered at 1120 °C for 30 min under pure argon gas atmosphere. After sintering, ∼20% pearlite volume fraction in a ferrite matrix was obtained. To produce coarse ferrite + martensite microstructures, the sintered specimens were intercritically annealed at 724 and 760 °C and quenched in water. To obtain fine ferrite + martensite microstructures, the sintered specimens were first austenitized at 890 °C and water-quenched to produce a fully martensitic structure. These specimens were then intercritically annealed at 724 and 760 °C and re-quenched. After the intercritical annealing at 724 and 760 °C and quenching, martensite volume fractions were ∼ 18% and 43%, respectively, in both the coarse- and fine-grained specimens. Although the intercritically annealed specimens exhibited higher yield and tensile strength than the as-sintered specimens, their elongation values were lower. Specimens with a fine ferrite + martensite microstructure showed high yield and tensile strength and ductility in comparison to specimens with a coarse ferrite + martensite microstructure. The strength values of specimens increased with increasing martensite volume fraction.     

LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE INVESTIGATIONS AND NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS ON DUAL PHASE STEEL WITH DIFFERENT MICROSTRUCTURES

Abstract— Fully reversed low cycle fatigue tests were carried out on 7 mm diameter cylindrical specimens of a dual phase steel treated to give five different microstructures, namely F—ferrite (+ little carbide particles), CF—continuous ferrite + 8.2% martensite, FM—49.1% ferrite + 50.9% martensite mixed structure, CM—continuous martensite + 22.4% ferrite and M—100% martensite. A finite element program was developed based on Eisenberg's cyclic plasticity theory and the low cycle stress-strain response of the steels with duplex phase microstructures was calculated from the low cyclic curves of the single ferrite (steel F) and martensite (steel M) phase. The experimental results show that fatigue performance of dual phase steel improves as martensite content is increased up to about 50%, thereafter it obviously deteriorates. During cyclic loading, the calculated plastic strain accumulated in ferrite is higher than that in martensite. Inhomogeneity of the plastic strain accumulation in steel CF is more pronounced than that in steel CM. In steel FM a relatively uniform strain distribution was found. Controlling the size of particle phase can result in an optimum strain distribution. Thus, the plastic deformation capability of the constituent phases can be enhanced leading to fatigue performance improvement. Crack initiation occurs easily at the ferrite/martensite interface with a coarse particle phase size, regardless of phase continuity. In steel CF, a crack initiates at the interface perpendicular to the stress axis and propagates in the ferrite matrix by deflecting around coarse martensite particles or by cutting fine martensite particles. In steel CM, a crack initiates at the interface along the stress axis and propagates in the martensite matrix through ferrite particles.     

Ultrafine ferrite formation through cold-rolling and annealing of low-carbon dual-phase steel

Formation process of ultrafine grained ferrite through a simple thermomechanical route composed of cold-rolling and annealing of dual-phase starting microstructures was investigated. A 0·1%C steel having a ferrite–martensite dual-phase microstructure was cold-rolled by 91% and subsequently annealed below the eutectoid (A1) temperature. During the annealing, the cold-rolled microstructure gradually changed to be equiaxed ultrafine ferrite, without preferential growth of particular ferrite grains. Hardness of the cold-rolled specimen continuously decreased without a significant drop. The main components of texture in the cold-rolled specimen, α-fibre and γ-fibre, did not change greatly after the formation of ultrafine grains. It was suggested that finely subdivided region having large misorientations in the cold-rolled state grew with recovery to form the ultrafine ferrite.     

Hydrogen effects in a dual-phase microalloy steel

A dual-phase steel containing niobium, vanadium and titanium as microalloying elements was tested for hydrogen embrittlement (HE). The susceptibility to HE was observed to be closely related to the microstructural state. Hydrogenated specimens intercritically annealed at relatively low temperatures to develop martensite islands in a ferrite matrix basically exhibited quasi-cleavage fracture with some ductile dimpling. The mode of fracture in charged specimens quenched from higher intercritical annealing temperatures was predominantly intergranular fracture along prior austenite grain boundaries and cracking of martensite laths. The detrimental role of residual stresses, retained austenite and microalloying carbides in the process of HE is discussed.     

The microstructure evolution and tensile properties of medium-Mn steel heat-treated by a two-step annealing process

The martensitic hot-rolled 0.3C-6Mn-1.5Si(wt％)steel was annealed at 630℃for 24 h to improve its cold rollability,followed by cold rolling and annealing at 670℃for 10 min.The annealing process was designed based on the capacities of industrial batch annealing and continuous annealing lines.A duplex submicron austenite and ferrite microstructure and excellent tensile properties were obtained finally,proved the above process is feasible."Austenite memory"was found in the hot-rolled and annealed sample which restricted recrystallization of lath martensite,leading to lath-shaped morphology of austenite and fer-rite grains."Austenite memory"disappeared in the cold-rolled and annealed sample due to austenite random nucleation and ferrite recrystallization,resulting in globular microstructure and refinement of both austenite and ferrite grains.The austenite to martensite transformation contributed most of strain hardening during deformation and improved the uniform elongation,but the dislocation strengthening played a decisive role on the yielding behavior.The tensile curves change from continuous to discontin-uous yielding as the increase of cold-rolled reduction due to the weakening dislocation strengthening of austenite and ferrite grains related to the morphology change and grain refinement.A method by controlling the cold-rolled reduction is proposed to avoid the Liiders strain.     

Impact properties of low-alloy transformation-induced plasticity-steels with different matrix

The effects of matrix types on Charpy impact properties were investigated in Fe–0.2%C–1.5%Si–1.5%Mn (mass%) transformation-induced plasticity steels. The steels with annealed martensite and bainitic ferrite matrix possessed higher upper shelf Charpy impact absorbed energy than the steel with polygonal ferrite and martensitic matrix. In addition, the low ductile–brittle fracture appearance transition temperatures were achieved in annealed martensite and martensite types in comparison with those of other steels.     

Effect of quenching temperature on microstructure and performance of Al‐bearing cast boron steel

The effects of quenching temperature on microstructure and performance of Al‐bearing cast boron steel (ACBS) containing 0.25–0.45%C, 1.5–1.8%B and 1.4–1.6%Al were investigated by means of the optical microscopy (OM), the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Rockwell hardness and Vickers micro‐hardness tester. The results show that the solidification structures of cast steel consist of high hardness boride, ferrite, pearlite and a small quantity of martensite when 1.5–1.8%B and 1.4–1.6%Al are added into the carbon steel. The metallic matrix of ACBS changes into single martensite from the mixed structure of ferrite, pearlite and martensite along with the increase of quenching temperature. The increase of quenching temperature also leads to the transformation of boride from continuous shape to isolated shape. Moreover, the micro‐hardness of matrix and macroscopical hardness increase with the increase of quenching temperature. When the quenching temperature excels 1000°C, the hardness has a slight decrease. ACBS has good comprehensive properties after heat treatment at 1000°C.     

Enhancement of work‐hardening behavior of dual phase steel by heat treatment

The work‐hardening response and mechanical properties of dual phase steels originated from different initial microstructures under low and high martensite volume fractions were investigated using a typical carbon‐manganese steel. The modified Crussard‐Jaoul analysis was used for studying the work‐hardening stages and the deformation behavior of ferrite and martensite. It was revealed that the initial martensitic microstructure before intercritical annealing is much better than the full annealed banded ferritic‐pearlitic and spheroidized microstructures in terms of work‐hardening capacity and strength‐ductility trade off. By increasing the amount of martensite, via intercritical annealing at higher temperatures, the ductility decreased but the tensile toughness of dual phase steels increased toward reaching the domain of extra‐advanced high‐strength steels due to the enhancement of work‐hardening rate.     

High temperature mechanical properties of triple phase steels

A 0.15% C–1.2% Si–1.7% Mn steel was intercritically annealed at 780 °C for 5 min and then isothermally held at 400 °C for 4 min followed by oil quenching to room temperature and the annealed microstructure consist of 75% ferrite , 15% bainite and 10% retained austenite was produced. Samples of this steel with triple phase structure were tensile tested at temperature range of 25–450 °C. Stress–strain curves showed serration flow at temperature range of 120–400 °C and smooth flow at the other temperatures. All of the stress–strain curves showed discontinuous yielding at all testing temperatures. Both yield and ultimate tensile strength decreased with increasing temperature, but there exists a temperature region (120–400 °C) where a reduction of strength with increasing temperature is retarded or even slightly increased. The variation in the mechanical properties with temperature was related to the effects of dynamic strain aging, high temperature softening, bainite tempering and austenite to martensite transformation during deformation.     

Effect of corrosive medium on fatigue crack growth behaviour and fracture in high martensite dual phase steel

Fatigue crack growth (FCG) behaviour in both near-threshold and higher stress intensity range (ΔK) in intercritically annealed dual-phase (DP) steel containing martensite between 32% and 76% in ferrite has been studied in 3·5% NaCl solution. It is shown that the amount of martensite content in dual phase steel has a significant effect on threshold (ΔK _th) values and FCG rates. Higher content of martensite in ferrite leads to higher threshold values and lower FCG rates. Further, ΔK _th is much higher in 3·5% NaCl solution as compared to that in laboratory air. Fractography studies reveal that in the near-threshold region, fracture surfaces are characterized mainly by intergranular cracking in corrosive (3·5% NaCl solution) environment. Higher threshold values in 3·5% NaCl solution is attributed to the higher crack closure induced by rougher fracture surface and by the strong wedge effects of corrosion products.     

初始组织对低碳钢IQ&P工艺残留奥氏体及力学性能的影响

采用双相区再加热-淬火-碳配分(IQP)工艺,研究初始组织为铁素体+珠光体的IQP-Ⅰ多相钢和初始组织为马氏体的IQP-Ⅱ多相钢的组织形貌、残留奥氏体及力学性能。结果表明:初始组织为铁素体+珠光体的IQP-Ⅰ多相钢室温组织中,铁素体和马氏体基本呈块状分布,块状残留奥氏体存在于铁素体与马氏体界面处,薄膜状只存在于马氏体内的板条之间,且残留奥氏体含量较少,TRIP效应不明显,其抗拉强度为957 MPa,伸长率只有20%,强塑积为19905.6MPa·%。初始组织为马氏体的IQP-Ⅱ多相钢中铁素体和马氏体大多呈灰黑色的板条状或针状,且细小的针状马氏体均匀地分布在铁素体基体上,残留奥氏体只以薄膜状平行分布在铁素体基体上,体积分数达到了13.2%,且具有较高的稳定性,TRIP效应较明显,强塑积达到21560MPa·%,可以获得强度和塑性的良好结合。     

Studies on the stress-strain relations of dual-phase steels

The correlations of the work-hardening exponent,n, with quenching temperature, martensite volume-fraction (MVF) and solute concentration in ferrite are discussed and derived for dual-phase steel. The flow stress of dual-phase steel at low strain is suggested to be expressed by the combination of the terms due to plastic deformation in ferrite and elastic deformation of martensite. Previous experimental results are compared with the behaviour suggested by this theoretical work. In addition, an expression for the work hardening exponents at moderate strains and at the onset of necking are also theoretically suggested.     

Controlling of reheated quenching temperature of 1000 MPa grade steel plate for hydropower station

The strength and toughness of 1000 MPa grade steel plate for hydropower station treated by different reheated quenching temperatures were investigated. With the increasing of reheated quenching temperature, the yield strength and tensile strength increase sharply, whereas the value of impact toughness decreases slowly. The lath martensite with high density dislocations enhances dislocation strengthening. On the contrary, the acicular or block ferrite (soft phase) produced by intercritical quenching reduces the phase transformation strengthening. Moreover, the ferrite has a low solubility of interstitial carbon due to the body‐centered‐cubic lattice structure. The bar‐shaped precipitates occur during the isothermal holding at the intercritical temperature and it will reduce the precipitation strengthening. The ferrite phase and high misorientation boundaries are the main factors that contribute to the toughening of the experimental steel. The lower the reheated quenching temperature is, the higher proportion of ferrite and high misorientation boundaries becomes. Considering the requirements for mechanical properties of 1000 MPa grade steel plate for hydropower station, the optimal temperature of reheated quenching is ～920 °C.     

DISLOCATION SUBSTRUCTURES IN FERRITE OF PLAIN CARBON DUAL-PHASE STEELS AFTER FATIGUE FRACTURE

Abstract— The dislocation substructures of ferrite in plain carbon, ferrite plus martensite, dual-phase steels in different stages of fatigue crack propagation were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results show that the dislocations are in random arrays in the ferrite before cyclic loading. At stages of low Δ K (near threshold) values, parallel clusters of dislocations and prolonged dislocation lines can be observed. At stages of intermediate Δ K values, the dislocations are rearranged into networks and loops while at stages of high Δ K (prior to failure) values, they are changed into dislocation cells or patches. It was also found that the volume fraction and carbon content of martensite have significant effects on the dislocation substructures of ferrite after cyclic deformation.     

Effect of epitaxial ferrite on yielding and plastic flow in dual phase steel in tension and compression

Abstract

A low carbon, microalloyed steel was heat treated to obtain dual phase microstructures containing constant levels of 18 and 25 vol.-% martensite at two levels of microstructural refinement and with varying epitaxial ferrite content. Tensile and compression tests were conducted at a strain sensitivity of 2 × 10^-5. Elastic limits in tension and compression were indistinguishable and very low, suggesting that mobile dislocations were present in the ferrite as a consequence of stress relaxation processes. These mobile dislocations accommodated the volume increase accompanying the austenite to martensite transformation during heat treatment. Epitaxial ferrite had little effect on the 0·2% proof stress, but average proof stresses were generally higher in compression than in tension owing to residual stresses in the martensite and ferrite following heat treatment. The residual stresses calculated from this asymmetry in the proof stresses were small because of stress relaxation in the ferrite at the temperature at which the martensite formed. Epitaxial ferrite significantly increased uniform elongation in tension with a small decrease in tensile strength for both levels of martensite in the finer microstructure but only at the 18 vol.-% martensite level in the coarser microstructure. The cause of the increased ductility was the effect of epitaxial ferrite on the work hardening rate between approximately 0·5 and 3% strain; epitaxial ferrite reduced the work hardening rate in this range of strain.     

Effect of martensite strength on the tensile strength of dual phase steels

Fe-2% Si-1.5% Mn steels with three levels of carbon content (0.10, 0.14 and 0.19 wt%) were intercritically annealed followed by water quenching to obtain dual phase (martensite plus ferrite) structure. It is found that the ultimate tensile strength of dual phase steels increased with increasing the volume fraction as well as the tensile strength of martensite. The tensile strength of dual phase steel can be predicted using the law of mixtures although the predicted tensile strength is slightly higher than the experimental one. It is suggested that martensite never reaches its ultimate tensile strength when the necking of dual phase steels occurs.     

Role of strain-induced martensite on microstructural evolution during annealing of metastable austenitic stainless steel

Metastable austenitic stainless steel of type AISI 304L was cold rolled to 90% with and without inter-pass cooling. Inter-pass cooling produced 89% of strain-induced martensite whereas no inter-pass cooling resulted in the formation of 43% of martensite in the austenite matrix. The cold-rolled specimens were annealed at various temperatures in the range of 750–1000 °C. The microstructures of the cold-rolled and annealed specimens were studied by the electron microscope. The grain size and low angle boundaries were determined from the orientation maps recorded by the scanning electron microscope-based electron backscattered diffraction technique. The observed microstructural changes were correlated with the reversion mechanism of martensite to austenite and volume fraction of martensite. It was noted that large volume fractions of martensite at low annealing temperatures, below 900 °C, were most suitable for the formation of fine grains. On the contrary, reversion of small volume fractions of martensite at critical annealing temperature of 950 °C resulted in grain refinement.     

Improvement of mechanical properties in a dual-phase ferrite–martensite AISI4140 steel under tough-strong ferrite formation

This paper has been concerned to investigate in details the mechanical properties of AISI4140 heat treatable steel under ferrite–martensite dual-phase (DP) microstructures in conjunction with that of conventional quench-tempered (CQT) full martensitic condition. For this purpose, a wide variety of ferrite–martensite DP samples containing different volume fractions of ferrite and martensite microphases have been developed using step quenching heat treatment processes at 600 °C for 20–55 s holding times with the subsequent hot oil quenching after being austenitized at 860 °C for 60 min in the same situation as to the CQT condition. The finalized tempering heat treatment has been carried out at 600 °C for 30 min for both of direct quenched full martensitic and DP samples in order to optimize the strength–ductility combination. Light and electron microscopes have been used in conjunction with mechanical tests to assess the structure–property relationships in the DP and CQT heat treated samples. The experimental results indicate that the DP microstructures consisting about 7% volume fraction of fine grain boundary ferrite in the vicinity of martensite are associated with excellent mechanical properties in comparison to that of CQT condition. These observations are rationalized in terms of higher carbon concentration of the remaining metastable austenite leading to the harder martensite formation on the subsequent hot oil quenching, and so developing much harder ferrite grains as a consequence of more constraints induced in the ferrite grains during martensitic phase transformation in the remaining austenite adjacent to the ferrite area. The higher martensite volume fraction in the vicinity of thin continuous grain boundary ferrite network has been associated with the harder ferrite formation, causing higher work hardening behavior in the short time treated DP samples. Moreover, it has been found that in order to optimize the mechanical properties of ferrite–martensite DP samples, two independently parameters should be simultaneously controlled: one is the ferrite volume fraction and the other is ferrite morphology.     

Effect of grain size on austenite stability and room temperature low cycle fatigue behaviour of solution annealed AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

The present paper investigates completely reversed room temperature low cycle fatigue (LCF) behaviour of solution annealed austenitic stainless steel AISI 316L with two different grain sizes of 90 and 139 μm developed by solution annealing treatment at 1050 and 1150°C respectively and at six strain amplitudes ranging between ± 0·375 and ± 1·00%. Complete cyclic hardening has been observed for both the grain sizes. While fine grained steel shows an improvement in cyclic life compared with that of coarse grained steel for strain amplitudes ± 0·375 and ± 0·50%, and perfectly follows the Coffin–Manson (C–M) behaviour within the experimental domain, higher cyclic life with bilinear C–M behaviour is observed in the case of coarse grained steel at ± 0·625% strain amplitude and above. Optical microscopy of fatigue fracture surfaces reveals the formation of martensite on cyclic straining predominantly at higher strain amplitudes.