Decomposition of Retained Austenite in a High-Speed Steel GPM A30

The effect of tempering on the decomposition of retained austenite in a powder metallurgy (PM) high-speed steel, GPM A30, has been monitored with a high-speed dilatometer. The corresponding microstructures of specimens with different tempering cycles have been investigated by a combination of scanning electron microscopy and analytical transformation electron microscopy. The as-quenched structure of the steel studied is composed of retained austenite, untempered martensite, and carbides. The results indicate that the complete transformation of retained austenite can be more nearly accomplished by double or triple tempering cycles than by a single long-time cycle. The possible transformation mechanism for the decomposition of retained austenite during multiple tempering cycles is attributed to the invariant-plane-strain of the prior martensitic transformation extending accommodation defects to the adjacent retained austenite, which favors further transformations in the subsequent tempering operations.

55SiCr弹簧钢中的残留奥氏体与碳化物

通过扫描电镜(SEM)、电子背散射衍射(EBSD)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、热膨胀仪、洛氏硬度计等手段研究了弹簧钢55SiCr的组织和相变点以及残留奥氏体和碳化物在热处理过程中的组织演变。结果表明:55SiCr弹簧钢淬火后残留奥氏体以块状分布在基体上;随回火温度的升高,残留奥氏体减少并呈粒状和薄膜状分布;C在残留奥氏体中富集,使其稳定性增强;Si抑制了碳化物的析出,提高了残留奥氏体的稳定性。低温回火时,Si延缓了渗碳体析出;高温回火时,C原子扩散速率提高,促进渗碳体析出,引起体积的收缩。慢速加热回火时,C有足够的时间扩散,从而促进渗碳体的形成,使渗碳体的形成温度提前;快速加热回火时,C来不及扩散,抑制了渗碳体的析出。回火加热速率一样时,试验钢的硬度随回火温度的提高而下降。当回火温度为400 ℃时,硬度值最大为51 HRC;当回火温度为650 ℃时,硬度值最小为37 HRC。当加热速率为0.1 ℃/s时,硬度值最小为33 HRC;当加热速率为200 ℃/s时,硬度值最大为40 HRC。     

Effects of Sub-zero Celsius Treatment and Tempering on the Stability of Retained Austenite in Bearing Steel

In this work, the influence of sub-zero Celsius treatment and tempering on the mechanical and thermal stability of retained austenite in bearing steel were assessed by tensile test and DSC. Compared with traditional quenched and tempered treatment, sub-zero Celsius treatment obviously decreases the volume fraction of retained austenite. Moreover, the mechanical stability of retained austenite was enhanced due to the accumulation of compressive stresses in retained austenite after sub-zero Celsius treatment and tempering. Meanwhile, the morphology of retained austenite changed from film-like to blocky with austenitization temperature increasing, and the mechanical stability of film-like retained austenite is higher than that of blocky one. The DSC results showed that the activation energy of retained austenite decomposition slightly increased through sub-zero Celsius treatment and tempering. This result may probably be ascribed to partitioning of carbon during tempering. However, the temperature at which retained austenite starts to decompose is unchanged.     

铬镍渗碳钢的残余奥氏体

20CrZNi4、18CrZNi4W钢往往经诊碳（或碳氢共修）淬火后使用,由于合金元素Ni、Cr量较高,热处理后工件表面存在大量的残余奥氏体。残余奥氏体对性能的影响,其量多少为宜,是一个比较复杂而值得注意的问题。本文讨论了诊碳层不同的合碳量、渗碳后高温回火、淬火工艺、冷处理及喷九处理等对残余奥氏体量的影响,从而针对所要求的残余奥氏体量来选择合适的表面含碳量、相应的热处理方法及不同的工艺参数。     

两相区回火温度对含7%锰Q690钢组织和性能的影响

采用SEM、XRD、TEM和Thermo-Calc软件计算等手段研究了两相区回火温度对0.02C-7Mn钢的组织和性能变化的影响。结果表明,淬火后试验钢组织以淬火马氏体为主,伴有极少量的残留奥氏体;两相区回火后,基体组织以回火马氏体为主,出现逆转变奥氏体,空冷后转变为残留奥氏体。随着回火温度的升高,残留奥氏体的含量逐渐增加,在650 ℃回火后到达峰值为18.78%;与此同时出现了6.57%的ε-马氏体。两相区回火后,试验钢的抗拉强度均有下降,但是屈服强度有不同程度的升高,这归因于回火过程中位错密度的下降以及弥散第二相的析出。另外,ε-马氏体的存在不仅迅速降低了屈服强度,而且还损害了韧性。在600 ℃回火后,试验钢具有优异的综合力学性能(横向:抗拉强度为984 MPa、屈服强度为973 MPa,-40 ℃冲击吸收能量为163 J,纵向:抗拉强度为947 MPa、屈服强度为919 MPa,-40 ℃冲击吸收能量为186 J),满足Q690用钢的力学性能需求。     

Characteristics of the Transformation of Retained Austenite in Tempered Austempered Ductile Iron

Controlling the amount of retained austenite is a concern in austempered ductile iron formation. Retained austenite has a strong influence on austempered ductile iron properties, such as hardness and wear resistance. In this research, the characteristics of the transformation of retained austenite were investigated as a function of the number of tempering cycles. The hardness of the austempered ductile iron samples was measured, and the specific amount of retained austenite was analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Wear tests were conducted on a ball-on-flat sliding fixture. The tempering process was found to have no effect on the hardness of the austempered ductile iron samples. This may be due to retained austenite being partially converted into brittle quenched martensite during the tempering process. However, tougher tempered martensite was also formed from existing martensite. The two effects seemed to offset each other, and no significant differences occurred in overall hardness. XRD analysis showed that under the same austempering temperature and holding time, the amount of retained austenite decreased with additional tempering cycles. Also, with the same holding time and tempering cycles, less retained austenite was contained in the matrix at higher austempering temperatures. This was due to more high carbon content austenite and needle-like ferrite being present in the austempered ductile iron matrix. In addition, tempered austempered ductile iron exhibited significantly higher wear resistance as compared to traditionally treated ductile iron.     

Microstructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Low-Alloy,Medium-Carbon Steels After Multiple Tempering

The microstructure and mechanical properties of NiCrMoV-and NiCrSi-alloyed medium-carbon steels were investigated after multiple tempering. After austenitising, the steels were hardened by oil quenching and subsequently double or triple tempered at temperatures from 250 to 500 °C. The samples were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while the mechanical properties were evaluated by Vickers hardness testing, V-notched Charpy impact testing and tensile testing. The results showed that the retained austenite was stable up to 400 °C and the applied multiple tempering below this temperature did not lead to a complete decomposition of retained austenite in both steels. It was also found that the microstructure, hardness and impact toughness varied mainly as a function of tempering temperature,regardless of the number of tempering stages. Moreover, the impact toughness of NiCrMoV steel was rather similar after single/triple tempering at different temperatures, while NiCrSi steel exhibited tempered martensite embrittlement after single/double tempering at 400 °C. The observed difference was mainly attributed to the effect of precipitation behaviour due to the effect of alloying additions in the studied steels.     

Microstructure evolution of an ultra-high strength metal alloy with tempering temperature

Optical microscopy (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the effect of tempering temperature on the experimental extra-high carbon steels.It is found that tempering reaction can reduce austenite content and influence the stability of the austenite.As-normalized microstructure is a mixture of twinned martensite and retained austenite.Tempered at 250 ℃ for 2 h,lath martensite can occasionally be found nearby the diffusionally decomposed austenite arca.It also is found that tempering at 650 ℃ for 2 h,nanoparticles of carbides precipitate in the martensite and decomposed austenite.     

Microstructures and corrosion mechanism of AISI 304L stainless steel irradiated by high current pulsed electron beam

AISI 304L austenite stainless steel was irradiated by a high-current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) source in different process. The microstructures were investigated in detail by electron microscopy. The relationship between corrosion resistance and the microstructures has been established. Our experimental results suggest that much abundant defect structures were formed within the irradiated surface which promoted the formation of a compact and thick passive layer during the process of corrosion experiment in simulated sea water. This passive layer effectively prevented corrosive anionic species from passing through the surface oxidation layer and delayed the corrosion process, leading to the improvement of irradiated materials’ corrosion performance. However, the craters on the treated surfaces may be turn into new active points on the metal surface which favored local pitting. Our experimental results demonstrate the potential of proper HCPEB processing for improving the corrosion resistance of metallic materials.     

含稀土轧辊用高速钢淬回火过程微观组织转变

利用金相(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)、透射电镜(TEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)及能损谱(EELS)等手段,研究了含稀土轧辊用高速钢在1100℃淬火和550℃两次回火热处理过程的微观组织变化特征,重点探讨了碳化物行为。结果表明,淬火加热过程中热稳定性较高的MC和M6C型一次共晶碳化物难以溶解,亚稳态的M2C型一次共晶碳化物则发生分解反应得到MC和M6C两种碳化物,分解形成的M6C较MC量多且尺寸较大,小颗粒MC包含在M6C之中;淬火基体组织由马氏体和残留奥氏体组成,淬火马氏体既有板条马氏体也有孪晶型马氏体。经两次回火后,残留奥氏体得以有效消除,大量细小富V的MC型二次碳化物弥散析出产生二次硬化现象。     

Changes of Tempering Microstructure and Properties of Fe-Cr-V-Ni-Mn-C Cast Alloys

The changes of tempering microstructure and properties of Fe-Cr-V-Ni-Mn-C cast alloys with martensite matrix and much retained austenite are studied. The results showed that when tempering at 200℃ the amount of retained austenite in the alloys is so much that is nearly to as-cast, and a lot of retained austenite decomposes when tempering at 350℃ and the retained austenite decomposes almost until tempering at 560℃. When tempering at 600℃, the retained austenite in the alloys all decomposes. At 560℃ the hardness is highest due to secondary hardening. The effect of nickel and manganese on the microstructure and properties of Fe-Cr-V-C cast alloy were also studied. The results show that the Fe-Cr-V-C cast alloy added nickel and manganese can obtain martensite matrix and much retained austenite microstructure, and nickel can also prevent pearlite transformation. With the increasing content of nickel and manganese, the hardness of as-cast alloy will decreases gradually, so one can improve the hardness of alloy by tempering process. When the content of nickel and manganese is 1.3～1.7%, the hardness of secondary hardening is the highest (HRC64). But when the content of nickel and manganese increase continually, the hardness of secondary hardening is low slightly, and the tempering temperature of secondary hardening rises.     

临界区回火温度对Fe-4Mn-1.2Cr-0.3Cu-0.6Ni中锰钢微观组织和力学性能的影响

研究了临界区回火温度对Fe-4Mn-1.2Cr-0.3Cu-0.6Ni中锰钢组织与力学性能的影响。通过热轧后直接淬火+临界区回火的工艺制备试验钢。采用光学显微镜(OM)、电子探针显微分析仪(EPMA)的扫描功能、透射电镜(TEM)、拉伸试验及冲击试验等对轧后淬火态和回火态试验钢的显微组织及力学性能进行了表征。结果表明,试验钢热轧后淬火可获得较高位错密度的板条马氏体,经过临界区回火后获得在回火马氏体基体上分布残留奥氏体的复合组织。随着临界区回火温度的升高,试验钢的抗拉强度呈升高趋势,而屈服强度先下降后增加,伸长率的变化趋势与试验钢中的残留奥氏体含量相关,冲击性能随临界区回火温度的升高呈先升高后降低的趋势。630 ℃回火后试验钢的拉伸性能最佳,650 ℃回火后试验钢的冲击性能最佳,确定最佳临界区回火温度区间为630~650 ℃。     

焊前热处理对440C不锈钢电子束焊接接头组织与性能的影响

研究了焊前退火和调质2种热处理工艺对440C不锈钢电子束焊接接头的组织和力学性能的影响,分析了2种状态下的组织演变规律、接头拉伸力学性能和硬度分布特点. 结果表明:2种热处理状态的板材经过电子束焊接后,焊缝成形良好,焊缝区域均为马氏体和残留奥氏体组织,呈现出非平衡凝固组织,碳及合金元素以固溶形式存在于马氏体及残余奥氏体中,焊缝区域硬度达到398 HV. 焊前经调质热处理后,母材基体由铁素体转变成回火马氏体和残余奥氏体混合组织,同时部分碳化物固溶在基体组织中,使基体组织硬度提高了60％. 与焊前退火态相比,焊前调质热处理板材经电子束焊接后,可使焊接接头抗拉强度提高20％,焊接热影响区硬度提高35％,但接头的塑性变形能力有所下降,断裂均发生在热影响区.     

提高渗碳淬火齿轮硬度的后处理工艺

研究了20Cr2Ni4A钢渗碳淬火齿轮在低温回火后硬度较低时进行后冷处理和后低温回火处理对表面硬度、有效硬化层深度及心部硬度的影响。结果表明,20Cr2Ni4A钢在渗碳淬火低温回火后的残留奥氏体稳定化现象并不明显,此时进行冷处理仍能提高工件硬度,而当残留奥氏体较多时具有低温回火二次硬化现象,提高低温回火温度也能提高表面硬度。据此可采用后冷处理和后低温回火工艺提高硬度,代替常规的重新高温回火+渗碳淬火+低温回火的返工工艺。后冷处理温度可根据Mf点确定,对于渗碳后高温回火并重新加热淬火和低温回火工艺,Ms和Mf点不能按常规方法计算,可根据残留奥氏体含量进行估算。     

高铬冷作模具钢渗碳层的二次硬化特征

以Ｃｒ１２ＭｏＶ为代表的冷作模具钢，经过高温渗碳，油淬和高温回火，其渗层的二次硬化特征与经常规高淬高回处理的相比有一定的差异，主要表现为二次硬化峰值的位置及数值、残留奥氏体量以及高温回火时析出相的种类等。此外，本文不屯经高温渗碳，等温淬火处理的试样的力学性能。     

低温处理对3Cr2MoCoWV热锻模具钢性能及组织的影响

探讨了低温处理工艺对3Cr2MoCoWV钢力学性能及微观组织的影响。利用光学显微镜,SEM和TEM分别对3Cr2MoCoWV钢微观组织和下贝氏体-马氏体复合组织中的残留奥氏体分布形态进行了研究,并采用XRD测量了残留奥氏体量。结果表明,低温处理后再进行回火处理,组织中析出了大量弥散细小的ε-碳化物和M2C型碳化物,模具钢的工作温度不超过650℃时,M2C型碳化物可作为钢中的强化相,同时组织中残留的薄膜状残留奥氏体提高了钢的冲击韧性。     

淬火冷却工艺对F460钢调质厚板组织与性能的影响

对120 mm厚的F460钢调质厚板采用相同的淬火回火温度,不同的淬火冷却速度处理,之后对钢板进行组织与性能对比,寻找该钢种的最佳热处理工艺。采用2 ℃/s冷速进行冷却的钢板,回火后强度最高,但是冲击性能不佳;适当降低淬火冷却速度后,钢板回火后强度有一定下降,但是冲击性能得到明显提升;继续降低淬火冷却速度,钢板回火后强度进一步下降,但是冲击性能提升有限。经组织分析,2 ℃/s冷速进行冷却淬火时,钢板回火后的组织为铁素体+贝氏体组织,组织中主要是贝氏体;冷却速度降低以后,钢板回火后组织为铁素体+退化珠光体组织,铁素体含量的增加,有利于钢板韧性的提升,残留奥氏体回火后形成的珠光体组织比较细小,能有效保证钢板的强度。通过对钢板的连续冷却转变曲线进行分析,钢板在冷却过程中先开始进行铁素体相变,溶质元素向奥氏体迁移。在钢板冷速较快时,铁素体中的碳化物迁移较少,奥氏体低温时转变成马氏体或者贝氏体;在钢板冷速较慢时,碳化物迁移到奥氏体内,提高奥氏体稳定性并保留到室温,形成残留奥氏体。残留奥氏体在后续的高温回火过程中,转变成珠光体。块状转变形成的铁素体组织与回火过程中形成的细小珠光体有利于钢板的强韧性匹配。     

稳定化处理对DC53钢力学性能及尺寸稳定性的影响

通过SEM、XRD、硬度、韧性以及三坐标测量机等测试,探究了常规热处理和回火后稳定化处理对冷作模具钢DC53力学性能和尺寸稳定性的影响。结果表明:DC53钢在稳定化处理前后的组织均为回火马氏体+少量残留奥氏体+碳化物。通过400 ℃×2 h 附加回火的稳定化处理方式后,试验钢的硬度和冲击吸收能量分别为61.5 HRC和19.7 J,同时材料的尺寸稳定性进一步提高。回火后组织稳定性的提升、材料内部残余应力值的降低以及残留奥氏体的陈化是改善试验钢尺寸稳定性的主要原因。     

深冷处理对18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢耐磨性的影响

使用正交试验对18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢渗碳钢深冷处理工艺参数进行筛选优化,分析深冷处理时间、低温回火温度和时间对试样耐磨性的影响,并对试样磨痕形貌、显微组织、残留奥氏体以及显微硬度进行分析。研究表明,18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢渗碳淬火后的-196 ℃深冷工艺参数对磨损量影响的显著性排序为:深冷处理时间＞低温回火时间＞低温回火温度。深冷处理能够有效增加试样的耐磨性,在深冷温度-196 ℃,深冷处理时间1 h,低温回火温度120 ℃,低温回火时间2 h的工艺下试样磨损量最小,与未深冷时相比减少46.67%,磨损机制变为磨粒磨损与氧化磨损。经过深冷处理后渗碳层的碳化物沿晶界析出,同时有小颗粒碳化物在基体上弥散析出。深冷处理能够降低钢的残留奥氏体含量,增加马氏体含量,使表层渗碳层的显微硬度增加,从而改善18Cr2Ni2MoNbA钢的耐磨性。     

Toughness and microstructure of 13Cr4NiMo high-strength steel welds

The microstructures and tensile, Charpy, and crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) properties of 13Cr4NiMo soft martensitic stainless steel flux cored are welding process (FCAW) weld metals have been studied through different applied postweld heat treatments (PWHT). Phases and microstructural characteristics have been analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction. The effect of the tempering and double tempering, with and without previous solution annealing, on the impact and fracture toughness has been studied. The role of the retained austenite resulting from tempering has been recognized, and it is suggested that the austenite particles improve the toughness of the welds through their transformation by the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) mechanism.