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.     

Effect of microstructure on the stability of retained austenite in transformation-induced-plasticity steels

Two Fe-0.2C-1.55Mn-1.5Si (in wt pct) steels, with and without the addition of 0.039Nb (in wt pct), were studied using laboratory rolling-mill simulations of controlled thermomechanical processing. The microstructures of all samples were characterized by optical metallography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microstructural behavior of phases under applied strain was studied using a heat-tinting technique. Despite the similarity in the microstructures of the two steels (equal amounts of polygonal ferrite, carbide-free bainite, and retained austenite), the mechanical properties were different. The mechanical properties of these transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) steels depended not only on the individual behavior of all these phases, but also on the interaction between the phases during deformation. The polygonal ferrite and bainite of the C-Mn-Si steel contributed to the elongation more than these phases in the C-Mn-Si-Nb-steel. The stability of retained austenite depends on its location within the microstructure, the morphology of the bainite, and its interaction with other phases during straining. Granular bainite was the bainite morphology that provided the optimum stability of the retained austenite.     

Recrystallization and formation of austenite in deformed lath martensitic structure of low carbon steels

The effect of prior deformation on the processes of tempering and austenitizing of lath martensite was studied by using low carbon steels. The recrystallization of as-quenched lath martensite was not observed on tempering while the deformed lath martensite easily recrystallized. The behavior of austenite formation in deformed specimens was different from that in as-quenched specimens because of the recrystallization of deformed lath martensite. The austenitizing behavior (and thus the austenite grain size) in deformed specimens was controlled by the competition of austenite formation with the recrystallization of lath martensite. In the case of as-quenched (non-deformed) lath martensite, the austenite particles were formed preferentially at prior austenite grain boundaries and then formed within the austenite grains mainly along the packet, block, and lath boundaries. On the other hand, in the case of lightly deformed (30 to 50 pct) lath martensite, the recrystallization of the matrix rapidly progressed prior to the formation of austenite, and the austenite particles were formed mainly at the boundaries of fairly fine recrystallized ferrite grains. When the lath martensite was heavily deformed (75 to 84 pct), the austenite formation proceeded almost simultaneously with the recrystallization of lath martensite. In such a situation, very fine austenite grain structure was obtained most effectively.     

Effect of phosphorus on the formation of retained austenite and mechanical properties in Si-containing low-carbon steel sheet

The effect of phosphorus and silicon on the formation of retained austenite has been investigated in a low-carbon steel cold rolled, intercritically annealed, and isothermally held in a temperature range of bainitic transformation followed by air cooling. The steel sheet containing phosphorus after final heat-treatment consisted of ferrite, retained austenite, and bainite or martensite. Phosphorus, especially in the presence of silicon, in steel was useful to assist the formation of retained austenite. Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, uniform elongation, and the combination of tensile strength/ductility, were improved when phosphorus was increased up to 0.07 pct in 0.5 pct Si steel. This could be attributed to the strain-induced transformation of retained austenite during tensile deformation. Furthermore, two types of retained austenite were observed in P-containing steel. One is larger than about 1 μm in size and usually exists adjacent to bainite; the other one is of submicron size and usually exists in a ferrite matrix. High phosphorus content promotes the formation of stable (small size) austenites which are considered to be stabilized mainly by their small size effect and have a different formation mechanism from the coarser retained austenite in the lower P steels. The retained austenites of submicron size showed mechanical stability even after 10 pct deformation, suggesting that these small austenites have little effect on ductility. The 0.07 pct P-0.5 pct Si-1.5 pct Mn-0.12 pct C steel showed a high strength of 730 MPa and a total elongation of 36 pct.     

Effect of bainite transformation and retained austenite on mechanical properties of austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel

Austempered ductile iron (ADI) has excellent mechanical properties, but its Young's modulus is low. Austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel (AGS) has been developed in order to obtain a new material with superior mechanical properties to ADI. Its carbon content (approximately 1.0 pct) is almost one-third that of a standard ADI; thus, the volume of graphite is also less. Young's modulus of AGS is 195 to 200 GPa and is comparable to that of steel. Austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel has an approximately 200 MPa higher tensile strength than ADI and twice the Charpy absorbed energy of ADI. The impact properties and the elongation are enhanced with increasing volume fraction of carbon-enriched retained austenite. At the austempering temperature of 650 K, the volume fraction of austenite is approximately 40 pct for 120 minutes in the 2.4 pct Si alloy, although it decreases rapidly in the 1.4 pct Si alloy. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that appropriate quantity of silicon retards the decomposition of the carbon-enriched retained austenite. For austempering at 570 K, the amount of the carbon-enriched austenite decreases and the ferrite is supersaturated with carbon, resulting in high tensile strength but low toughness. This article is based on a presentation made during TMS/ASM Materials Week in the symposium entitled “Atomistic Mechanisms of Nucleation and Growth in Solids,” organized in honor of H.I. Aaronson’s 70th Anniversary and given October 3–5, 1994, in Rosemont, Illinois.     

Transformation of retained austenite in carburized 4320 steel

A systematic study of stress-induced and thermal-induced transformation of retained austenite in carburized 4320 steel with an initial retained austenite of 35 pct has been conducted. The transformation was monitored by recording the change in volume of smooth fatigue specimens. Stress-induced transformation was studied by conducting monotonic and cyclic tests at temperatures in the range from 22 °C to 150 °C. The volumetric transformation strain was as large as 0.006 at 22 °C. The anisotropy of the transformation was such that the axial transformation strain component exceeded the diametral transformation strain component by a factor of 1.4. Thermal-induced transformation was investigated with temperature stepup tests in the range from 150 °C to 255 °C at constant stress (-500 MPa, 0 MPa, and 500 MPa) and with static tests where temperature was held constant at zero load. The maximum thermal-induced volumetric transformation strain of 0.006 was independent of stress. However, the anisotropy of the transformation strain components was dependent on stress direction and magnitude. An axial tensile stress increased the axial transformation strain relative to the diametral transformation strain. The influence of low-temperature creep(T = 150 °C) on the anisotropy of strains is noted. The differences between stress-induced and thermal-induced transformation mechanisms are discussed. Thermal-induced transformation primarily occurred at temperatures between 100 °C and 200 °C, with the rate of transformation increasing with temperature, while the stress-induced transformation primarily occurred at 22 °C, with the rate of transformation decreasing with increasing temperature. There was no stress-induced transformation above 60 °C.     

Some effects of retained austenite on the fatigue resistance of carburized steel

Cyclic deformation properties have been measured for high carbon steels that simulate the surface layers on carburized AISI 4027 steel. The influence of retained austenite is manifested in cyclic hardening and the development of mean compressive stresses. These responses, which are found to vary in direct proportion to the initial retained austenite content, are attributable to deformation-induced transformation. The importance of such cyclic changes is demonstrated by strain-life relations for carburized 4027; specimens with large amounts of retained austenite in the surface layers possess superior fatigue resistance to otherwise identical specimens that are more completely transformed. It is also shown that the benefits of retained austenite diminish as the intrinsic ductility of the fully transformed material increases.     

The effect of retained austenite on the fracture toughness of high-speed steels

The aim of this work was to find the quantitative dependences between fracture toughness K_lc and the volume fraction of retained austenite in the matrix of quenched high-speed steels. The tests were carried out on three model alloys of a different content quotient of Mo: W which, after quenching, were gradually supercooled up to ? 196°C and then tempered at 450°C. Also the measurements of the content of retained austenite in the vicinity of the surface of a sample fracture were carried out. It was determined that after tempering at 450°C the fracture toughness of the matrix of high-speed steels is directly proportional to the content of retained austenite in it. Every 1 % by volume of retained austenite increases the fracture toughness K_lc of the matrix by about 5%, despite the fact that most probably it is completely transformed into fresh martensite in front of a propagating crack. Higher fracture toughness of the matrix of high-speed steels rich in molybdenum should be explained exlusively by a larger content of retained austenite. Transformations in the martensitic part of the matrix of the alloys richer in molybdenum clearly reduce the advantageous effect of retained austenite on this steel feature.     

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.     

Stabilization mechanisms of retained austenite in transformation-induced plasticity steel

Three stabilization mechanisms—the shortage of nuclei, the partitioning of alloying elements, and the fine grain size—of the remaining metastable austenite in transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels have been studied by choosing a model alloy Fe-0.2C-1.5Mn-1.5Si. An examination of the nucleus density required for an athermal nucleation mechanism indicates that such a mechanism needs a nucleus density as large as 2.5 · 10¹⁷ m⁻³ when the dispersed austenite grain size is down to 1 μm. Whether the random nucleation on various heterogeneities is likely to dominate the reaction kinetics depends on the heterogeneous embryo density. Chemical stabilization due to the enrichment of carbon in the retained austenite is the most important operational mechanism for the austenite retention. Based on the analysis of 57 engineering steels and some systematic experimental results, an exponential equation describing the influence of carbon concentration on the martensite start (M _s) temperature has been determined to be M _s (K)=273+545.8 · e ^−1.362w _c(mass pct). A function describing the M _s temperature and the energy change of the system has been found, which has been used to study the influence of the grain size on the M _s temperature. The decrease in the grain size of the dispersed residual austenite gives rise to a significant decrease in the M _s temperature when the grain size is as small as 0.1 μm. It is concluded that the influence of the grain size of the retained austenite can become an important factor in decreasing the M _s temperature with respect to the TRIP steels.     

Martensite and retained austenite in hot-rolled,low-carbon bainitic steels

The microstructure and occurrence of a microconstituent, consisting of martensite and retained austenite in hot-rolled plates of low-carbon bainitic steels was studied by electron microscopy and microprobe analysis. The results of the studies showed that the formation of the martensite-austenite constituent is controlled by the composition of the steel and by the cooling rate of the plates following hot-rolling. The mechanisms involved in the formation of the martensiteaustenite constituent are discussed.     

Q & P钢残余奥氏体定量分析及分布规律研究

在Gleeble 3800热模拟机上进行低碳Si-Mn系Q & P钢的热处理模拟,采用X射线衍射仪和透射电子显微镜研究了热处理后试样中残余奥氏体的量及其分布规律.XRD研究表明:Q & P钢中残余奥氏体的存在提高了钢的塑性;Q & P工艺中较高的配分温度和较长的配分时间可以得到较多的残余奥氏体.透射电镜观察表明Q & P钢中残余奥氏体形态有马氏体板条问条状奥氏体和晶界处块状奥氏体两种.     

硫含量和夹杂物控制对冷轧马氏体钢板冷弯性能的影响

冷轧马氏体钢主要用于汽车安全件,成形以冷弯或辊压为主,因此,马氏体钢的冷弯性能至关重要。以宝钢工业产线轧制的980 MPa级冷轧马氏体钢为研究对象,研究了不同S含量水平和Ca处理对冷轧马氏体钢弯曲性能的影响,分析了不同S含量水平下钢中的夹杂物数量和级别。通过控制S含量和采用Ca处理,可以明显降低马氏体钢中的夹杂物数量、尺寸,最终明显提高冷弯性能。宝钢开发的980 MPa级冷轧马氏体钢已经成功应用于乘用车安全部件的制造。     

Mechanical stability of retained austenite in tempered 9Ni steel

The behavior of the thermally stable austenite in the ductile fracture surface layer of a grain-refined and tempered 9Ni steel broken at 77 K was studied through use of Möss-bauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Thin foils revealing the mi-crostructural profile of the fracture surface layer were prepared by electroplating a thick pure iron layer on the fresh fracture surface, then thinning a profile sample through a combination of conventional twin-jet electropolishing and ion milling techniques. The re-sults of both Mössbauer spectroscopy and TEM studies showed that the thermally stable austenite transforms to a dislocated martensite in the deformed zone adjacent to the duc-tile fracture surface. This result suggests that transformation of the retained austenite present in tempered 9Ni steel is compatible with low temperature toughness, at least when the transformation product is a ductile martensite.     

The effect of austenite prestrain above the Md temperature on the martensitic transformation in Fe-Ni-Cr-C alloys

The effect of austenite prestrain above theM _d temperature on the structure and transformation kinetics of the martensitic transformation observed on cooling was determined for a series of Fe-Ni-Cr-C alloys. The alloys exhibited a shift in martensite morphology in the nondeformed state from twinned plate to lath while theM _s temperature, carbon content, and austenite grain size were constant. The transformation behavior was observed over the temperature range 0 to -196°C as a function of tensile prestrains performed above theM _d temperature. A range of prestrains from 5 pct to 45 pct was investigated. It is concluded that the response of a given alloy to austenite prestrain above theM _d temperature can be correlated with the morphology of the martensite observed in the nondeformed, as-quenched state. For the range of prestrains investigated, the transformation of austenite to lath martensite is much more susceptible to stabilization by austenite prestrain above theM _d temperature than is the transformation of austenite to plate martensite.     

Effects of strain states on stability of retained austenite in medium Mn steels

Based on uniaxial tensile and plane strain deformation tests,the effects of strain states on the stability of RA(retained austenite)in medium Mn steels,which were subjected to IA(intercritical annealing)and QP(quenching and partitioning)processing,were investigated.The volume fractions of RA before and after deformation were measured at different equivalent strains.The transformation behaviors of RA were also investigated.The stability of RA differed across two different transformation stages at the plane strain state:the stability was much lower in the first stage than in the second stage.For the uniaxial tension strain state,the stability of RA corresponded only to a single transformation stage.The main reason was that there were two types of transformations from RA in the medium Mn steel for the plane strain state.One type was that the martensite originated in the strain-induced stacking faults(SISF).The other type was the strain-induced directly twin martensite at a certain equivalent strain.However,for the uniaxial tension state,only the strain-induced twin martensite was observed.Dislocation lines and dislocation tangles were also observed in specimens deformed at different strain states.In addition,complex microstructures of stacking faults and lath-like phases were observed within a grain at the plane strain state.