Mechanical Behavior of Deformation‐Induced α′‐Martensite and Flow Curve Modeling of a Cast CrMnNi TRIP‐Steel

For the modeling of the mechanical behavior of a two phase alloy with the rule of mixture (RM), the flow stress of both phases is needed. In order to obtain these information for the α′‐martensite in high alloyed TRIP‐steels, compression tests at cryogenic temperatures were performed to create a fully deformation‐induced martensitic microstructure. This martensitic material condition was subsequently tested under compressive loading at ?60, 20, and 100°C and at strain rates of 10^?3, 10⁰, and 10³ s^?1 to determine the mechanical properties. The α′‐martensite possesses high strength and surprisingly good ductility up to 60% of compressive strain. Using the flow stress behavior of the α′‐martensite and that of the stable austenitic steel AISI 316L, the flow stress behavior of the high alloyed CrMnNi TRIP‐steel is modeled successfully using a special RM proposed by Narutani et al.     

Influence of constant and variable restraining force on springback of TRIP700 and stainless steel grades

Newly developed high strength steels (HSS) like dual phase (DP) and transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) grades as well as austenitic grades like AISI 304 and AISI 301 show superior strength compared to the microalloyed grades with the same formability (e.g. HSLA340). However, due to the multiphase microstructure and the austenite martensite transformation during forming, a higher springback will appear. In this paper the influence of different process parameters of six high strength steels on springback after stamping is investigated. The material properties were determined with uniaxial tensile tests. A modified Duncan Shabel test was used to draw U‐profiles with a controlled restraining force. To investigate different process parameters, constant restraining forces of 1 and 5kN and die radii of 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm were applied. In a second step, a shape set process was used. A constant restraining force of 1kN was used until a draw depth of 80 % was reached. Then the restraining was increased to 5.5 kN. The springback and the sidewall force were measured and analysed. An increased restraining force and a reduced die radius increases the sidewall force and reduces the springback. This resulted in a significant decrease in springback. The tests with variable restraining forces, also known as shape set process have shown that it combines a good formability with a reduced springback.     

Prediction of Indentation Behavior of Superelastic TiNi

Superelastic TiNi shape memory alloys have been extensively used in various applications. The great interest in TiNi alloys is due to its unique shape memory and superelastic effects, along with its superior wear and dent resistance. Assessment of mechanical properties and dent resistance of superelastic TiNi is commonly performed using indentation techniques. However, the coupling of deformation and reversible martensitic transformation of TiNi under indentation conditions makes the interpretation of results challenging. An attempt is made to enhance current interpretation of indentation data. A load-depth curve is predicted that takes into consideration the reversible martensitic transformation. The predicted curve is in good agreement with experimental results. It is found in this study that the elastic modulus is a function of indentation depth. At shallow depths, the elastic modulus is high due to austenite dominance, while at high depths, the elastic modulus drops as the depth increases due to austenite to martensite transition, i.e., martensite dominance. It is also found that TiNi exhibits superior dent resistance compared to AISI 304 steel. There is two orders of magnitude improvement in dent resistance of TiNi in comparison to AISI 304 steel.     

Evaluation of the Static Stress‐Strain Behaviour of Phosphorus Alloyed and Titanium Micro‐alloyed TRIP Steels

A considerable research effort has been done in the field of cold rolled TRIP steels submitted to a two‐step annealing cycle. After annealing, these steels contain retained austenite, which offers them superior mechanical properties required for specific applications in automotive industry. In the present work, a physically based microstructural model has been applied to describe the static stress‐strain behaviour of phosphorus alloyed TRIP steel. The impact of the TiC precipitation on the static stress‐strain behaviour for a Ti micro‐alloyed TRIP steel was simulated. The model calculations were compared with experimental stress‐strain curves. An excellent agreement between simulation and experimental data was demonstrated.     

Strain Rate Sensitivity of Pre‐Strained AISI 301LN2B Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steel

The dynamic behavior of AISI 301LN2B (EN 1.4318) metastable austenitic steel grade has been investigated at 296 K by means of servohydraulic tensile and split Hopkinson bar testing in the strain rate range 0.005–1000 s^?1. As delivered, as well as 10% uniaxial, biaxial, and plane strain pre‐strained conditions, without subsequent heat treatment have been tested. A negative strain rate sensitivity is observed in the low strain rate range between 10^?4 and 1–10 s^?1. Pre‐straining reduces the magnitude of the adiabatic tensile strength softening, especially in the plane strain condition with higher triaxility. The thermal activation related dynamic flow stress increase is not dependent on pre‐straining. The γ → α′ induced additional flow stress increase, however, is highly strain rate and pre‐straining sensitive. The amount of pre‐straining determines the overall ductility at fracture, and therefore the adiabatic temperature increase. The pre‐straining stress state influences the amount of α′‐martensite formed before dynamic testing, and consequently the maximum intensity of the TRIP induced flow stress increase by subsequent dynamic testing.     

Analysis of the Strain‐Induced Martensitic Transformation of Retained Austenite in Cold Rolled Micro‐Alloyed TRIP Steel

The stability of retained austenite and the kinetics of the strain‐induced martensitic transformation in micro‐alloyed TRIP‐aided steel were obtained from interrupted tensile tests and saturation magnetization measurements. Tensile tests with single specimens and at variable temperature were carried out to determine the influence of the micro‐alloying on the M_s^σ temperature of the retained austenite. Although model calculations show that the addition of the micro‐alloying elements influences a number of stabilizing factors, the results indicate that the stability of retained austenite in the micro‐alloyed TRIP‐aided steels is not significantly influenced by the micro‐alloying. The kinetics of the strain‐induced martensitic transformation was also not significantly influenced by addition of the micro‐alloying elements. The addition of micro‐alloying elements slows down the autocatalytic propagation of the strain‐induced martensite due to the increase of the yield strength of retained austenite. The lower uniform elongation of micro‐alloyed TRIP‐aided steel is very likely due to the presence of numerous precipitates in the microstructure and the pronounced ferrite grain size refinement.     

The microstructural,mechanical, and fracture properties of austenitic stainless steel alloyed with gallium

The mechanical and fracture properties of austenitic stainless steels (SSs) alloyed with gallium require assessment in order to determine the likelihood of premature storage-container failure following Ga uptake. AISI 304 L SS was cast with 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 wt pct Ga. Increased Ga concentration promoted duplex microstructure formation with the ferritic phase having a nearly identical composition to the austenitic phase. Room-temperature tests indicated that small additions of Ga (less than 3 wt pct) were beneficial to the mechanical behavior of 304 L SS but that 12 wt pct Ga resulted in a 95 pct loss in ductility. Small additions of Ga are beneficial to the cracking resistance of stainless steel. Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analysis indicated that 3 wt pct Ga alloys showed the greatest resistance to crack initiation and propagation as measured by fatigue crack growth rate, fracture toughness, and tearing modulus. The 12 wt pct Ga alloys were least resistant to crack initiation and propagation and these alloys primarily failed by transgranular cleavage. It is hypothesized that Ga metal embrittlement is partially responsible for increased embrittlement.     

The influence of preceding cryoforming and testing temperature on the mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steels

The TRIP effect in austenitic stainless steels leads to temperature dependent mechanical properties. As this is caused by stress or strain induced austenite/martensite transformation a predeformation at low temperatures (cryoforming) will change the microstructure and the transformation behaviour of the remaining austenite constituent. The mechanical properties in tensile tests and the J‐integral of the chromium and nickel alloyed steels 1.4301 and 1.4571 have been tested in the temperature range from 123 to 323 K in the as‐industrially supplied condition and after 10 % cryoforming at 77 K. The temperature dependence of the elongation values and the strain hardening behaviour of the undeformed steels is much more pronounced than of the yield and tensile strength. The mechanical behaviour can be explained by differences in response to the ?‐, the α_e'‐ and the α_g'‐martensite transformation. A cryoforming changes the mechanical properties of the examined austenitic stainless steels.     

Physical Metallurgy of Multi‐Phase Steel for Improved Passenger Car Crash‐Worthiness

The dynamic testing of high strength automotive steel grades is of great practical importance if their crash‐worthiness is to be evaluated. During forming operations, steels are processed in a controlled dynamic manner. In collisions, the deformation is different in the sense that the deformation is not controlled, i.e. both strain and strain rate are not pre‐determined. No clear standard testing procedures are currently available to test high strength steels dynamically, in order to evaluate their performance during car crashes. High tensile strength TRIP‐aided steels have been developed by the steel industry because of their promising high strain rate performance. The present contribution focuses on the effect of the strain rate and temperature on the mechanical behaviour of the low alloy high strength TRIP steel. The tests were carried out on the separated phases in order to determine their specific high strain rate deformation response. The temperature‐dependence of the transformation rate of the retained austenite is presented. It is argued that the adiabatic conditions present during high strain rate deformations have a beneficial effect on the behaviour of TRIP steel.     

Low‐alloyed TRIP‐Steels with Optimized Strength,Forming and Welding Properties

To obtain the superior strength‐ductility‐balance of TRIP‐grades, a special chemical composition in combination with well adapted processing parameters are a prerequisite. Despite of their excellent formability performance in terms of drawability as characterized by high n‐ and elongation values, compared to mild steels TRIP‐grades are challenging in the press and the body shops. The high strength level in combination with the high work hardening of TRIP‐grades result in higher levels of spring back compared to mild steels and higher press forces are required. Furthermore, a higher sensitivity to failure for sharp bending radii and a deterioration of the formability of punched edges is reported for TRIP‐grades. While spring back can only be minimized by advanced forming processes supported by new simulation techniques with improved ability to predict spring back, the sensitivity to failure under special forming conditions can be influenced by optimizing microstructural features. Contrary to the forming behaviour, which is influenced significantly by the microstructure, the weldability is mainly governed by the chemical composition and the surface condition of the material. The high carbon content of TRIP‐grades compared to mild steels results in a higher hardening potential after welding. Additionally, a fracture behaviour untypical for mild steels after destructive testing of spot welds is sometimes observed for TRIP‐grades, which is assessed critically by some OEMs. In this work, after a discussion of the processing conditions, possibilities are demonstrated to improve the forming behaviour by an optimization of the microstructure and the spot weldability by adapting the chemical composition of low‐alloyed TRIP grades. First very promising results for TRIP‐grades with a minimum tensile strength level of 700 MPa are discussed.     

Improvement of weldability of TRIP steels by use of in‐situ pre‐ and post‐heat treatments

Low alloy TRIP‐aided steels are very interesting for the automotive industry as they combine both a high strength and an excellent formability. Though the actually developed TRIP steels can be considered as low alloyed when compared to the first generations of steels exhibiting TRIP effect, due to their chemical composition, they still exhibit a quite high carbon equivalent. This is particularly detrimental for the weldability of those materials. After solidification, welds are very hard and can show a brittle behaviour. The hardness of the heat affected zone of the welds can even exceed 500HV and cold cracking phenomena is prone to occur. In the automotive industry, spot welding is the main joining process. During spot welding of TRIP steels, the interface between the plates can act like a notch and promote fracture of the weld. This is particularly dangerous when brittle welds are submitted to peel stresses. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that a careful choice of the process parameters can significantly improve the resistance of the welds. The selection of the welding cycle parameters is far from being an easy task as many different parameters are involved. Therefore, a design of experiment methodology (DOE) was chosen to optimise the welding cycle for a cold‐rolled TRIP steel with a tensile strength above 700 MPa. Mechanical properties of the welds were significantly improved by use of pre‐ and post‐heat treatments. Those improved welding cycles were realised without excessive extension of the total weld cycle on a conventional spot welding machine. This means that the optimised welds can be obtained in the existing production lines without any additional investment or significant decrease in productivity.     

Advanced Cold Rolled Steels for Automotive Applications

Advanced high‐strength steels offer a great potential for the further development of automobile bodies‐in‐white due to their combined mechanical properties of high formability and strength. They represent the first choice in material selection for strength and crash‐relevant parts with challenging geometries. The intensive development of multiphase steels by ThyssenKrupp Steel has led to hot dip galvanizing concepts with an outstanding forming potential. Hot rolled, hot dip galvanized complex‐phase steels are currently produced in addition to cold rolled dual phase (DP) and retained austenite (RA) or transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. New continuously annealed grades of steel are being developed with tensile strength levels of up to 1000 MPa in combination with sufficient ductility for the high demands of structural automobile components. These steels make use of the classic advantages of microalloying as well as the principles of DP steels and RA / TRIP steels. Further improvement of properties will be reached by the new class of high manganese alloyed steels.     

Strain Rate Dependent Flow Stress and Energy Absorption Behaviour of Cast CrMnNi TRIP/TWIP Steels

Modern steel developments often use additional deformation mechanisms like the deformation induced martensitic transformation (TRIP‐effect) and mechanical twinning (TWIP‐effect) to enhance elongation and strength. Three high‐alloyed cast CrMnNi‐steels with different austenite stabilities were examined. Dependent on the austenite stability, TRIP‐effect and TWIP‐effect were found. A low austenite stability causes a distinctive formation of deformation induced α'‐martensite and therefore a strong strain hardening. The increase of strain rate leads to an increase in yield strength and flow stress, but also to a counteractive adiabatic heating of the specimen. Dependent on the degree of deformation, low austenite stabilities and high strain rates lead to excellent values in specific energy absorption.     

Microdistribution of cerium in steel

Further experiments have been made to ascertain the conditions under which the method previously developed by the authors for determining the content of rare earth metals alloyed in steels can be applied. The accuracy of the results provided by this method is very satisfactory. The content of Ce alloyed in AISI 1518, AISI 1524 + B + Ti, SAE EV15, AISI Tl, and INCOLOY MA956 in the as-cast state have been determined. Autoradiographic studies show that Ce dissolves to a greater extent in pearlite than in ferrite in steels AISI 1518 and AISI 1524 + B + Ti. When Ce contents in the heat-resistant alloy INCOLOY MA956 and in SAE EV15 steel are high, the Ce segregate along grain boundaries. The content of Ce differs between grains; i.e., its distribution in steel is microscopically inhomogeneous.     

The cyclic stress-strain properties,hysteresis loop shape,and kinematic hardening of two high-strength bearing steels

Measurements of the shapes of the cyclic, stress-strain hysteresis loops obtained from AISI 1070 (HRC 60) and AISI 52100 (HRC 62) steels subjected to constant stress and constant plastic strain amplitude cycles in torsion are presented. The study examines plastic strain amplitudes in the range of 0.0002 ≤ Δε^p/2≤ 0.0015, which are similar to the strain amplitudes produced by rolling contact. The effects of a mean stress are also evaluated. The cyclic hardening of the two steels and other changes in the character of the loops during the cyclic life, 34 ≤N _f ≤ 2156, are defined. A three-parameter, bilinear, elastic-linear-kinematic-hardening-plastic (ELKP) model is shown to describe the multivalued cyclic stress-strain relations of these steels. The principal material properties of the model, in addition to the elastic modulus, the kinematic yield strength, and the plastic modulus, are evaluated. The ELKP properties define the material’s resistance to cyclic plasticity, the loop shape and area (plastic energy dissipation), the conventional cyclic stress-strain curve, the endurance limit, and the rolling contact shakedown pressure. The implications for rolling contact are discussed. Q. CHEN, formerly Visiting Scholar at Vanderbilt University     

Resistance against Abrasive Wear and Corrosion of Laser Powder Bed Alloyed High Chromium Tool Steels

Additive manufacturing by laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M) enables the production of complex shaped components. High-carbon tool steels tend to cracking during PBF-LB/M due to internal stresses caused by the rapid solidification. Expensive atomization and long lead times for powder generate high costs in this processing route. In situ alloying during PBF-LB/M of powder blends from conventionally available powders enables a more flexible approach of alloy design. For industrial use, the mechanical properties of in situ alloyed parts must be comparable to those of conventionally manufactured parts. In some cutting and forming applications, high wear resistance and corrosion resistance are required simultaneously. High alloyed cold work tool steels with sufficient chromium solved in the metal matrix fulfill these demands. Herein, AISI H13 is modified by Cr₃C₂ and elemental Cr to suit these requirements. Two novel alloys are modeled thermodynamically and processed by PBF-LB/M. In-depth microstructural investigations by backscatter electron imaging and diffraction in combination with abrasive wear tests and potentiodynamic polarization curves allow microstructure property correlations for different heat-treated conditions. Partial crack-free processing, hardenability, formation of Cr-rich carbides, and residual Cr-rich inclusions are observed and their influence on the wear and corrosion resistance is discussed.     

Microstructure and Tensile Properties in Dual Phase and Trip Steels

Advanced high‐strength steels, like dual phase and TRIP steels, have gained much interest for automotive application. The complex microstructures in dual phase steels, and even more critical, the metastable microstructure in TRIP steels, do not follow the well‐established traditional microstructure‐property relationships for deep drawing steels. The volume fraction of the different phases, the phase distribution, and the stability of metastable phases influence significantly the forming potential. This paper discusses the correlation between different microstructural features and the mechanical properties. The tensile test properties of dual phase steels are governed by the martensite volume fraction, the martensite hardness and to a much smaller extent the martensite island diameter. Both in dual phase and more pronounced in TRIP steels the retained austenite content plays a vital role in determining the formability. The stability of the retained austenite can be described by different methods, it needs to be adjusted according to the forming temperature and the type and amount of strain. In general, multiphase steels require a very strict microstructure control in order to develop predictable forming behaviour.     

A Review of the Physical Metallurgy related to the Hot Press Forming of Advanced High Strength Steel

The automotive industry requirements for vehicle weight reduction, weight containment, improved part functionality and passenger safety have resulted in the increased use of steel grades with a fully martensitic microstructure. These steel grades are essential to improve the anti‐intrusion resistance of automotive body parts and the related passenger safety during car collisions. Standard advanced high strength steel (AHSS) grades are notoriously difficult to be press formed; they are characterized by elastic springback, poor stretch flangeability and low hole expansion ratios. Hot press forming has therefore received much attention recently as an alternative technology to produce AHSS automotive parts. In this contribution, the physical metallurgy principles of the hot press forming process are reviewed. The effect of composition on CCT curves of standard CMnB hot press forming steels is discussed taking the deformation during press forming into account. Furthermore,the effect of the static strain ageing processes occurring during the paint baking cycle on the in‐service mechanical properties of press hardened steel will be presented. The influence of temperate and strain rate on the flow stress during press forming and the final room temperature mechanical properties will be discuss ed. Moreover, the issues related to coatings on B‐alloyed CMn hot press forming steel will be critically reviewed. In particular the combined effects of thermal cycle and deformation on the degradation of the Al‐10%Si coating will be discussed in detail. Finally, the properties of both Al‐based and Zn‐based coating systems are compared, and the possibility of the formation of a diffusion barrier during press forming is discussed.     

Stability and Constitutive Modelling in Multiphase TRIP Steels

Multiphase TRIP steels are a relatively new class of steels exhibiting excellent combinations of strength and cold formability, a fact that renders them particularly attractive for automotive applications. The present work reports models regarding the prediction of the stability of retained austenite, the optimisation of the heat‐treatment stages necessary for austenite stabilization in the microstructure, as well as the mechanical behaviour of these steels under deformation. Austenite stability against mechanically‐induced transformation to martensite depends on chemical composition, austenite particle size, strength of the matrix and stress state. The stability of retained austenite is characterized by the M^σ_S temperature, which can be expressed as a function of the aforementioned parameters by an appropriate model presented in this work. Besides stability, the mechanical behaviour of TRIP steels also depends on the amount of retained austenite present in the microstructure. This amount is determined by the combinations of temperature and temporal duration of the heat‐treatment stages undergone by the steel. Maximum amounts of retained austenite require optimisation of the heat‐treatment conditions. A physical model is presented in this work, which is based on the interactions between bainite and austenite during the heat‐treatment of multiphase TRIP steels, and which allows for the selection of treatment conditions leading to the maximization of retained austenite in the final microstructure. Finally, a constitutive micromechanical model is presented, which describes the mechanical behaviour of multiphase TRIP steels under deformation, taking into account the different plastic behaviour of the individual phases, as well as the evolution of the microstructure itself during plastic deformation. This constitutive micromechanical model is subsequently used for the calculation of forming limit diagrams (FLD) for these complex steels, an issue of great practical importance for the optimisation of stretch‐forming and deep‐drawing operations.     

The effect of the strain path on the work hardening of austenitic and ferritic stainless steels in axisymmetric drawing

The work-hardening characteristics of metals deeply affect the analytical and numerical analyses of their forming processes and especially the end mechanical properties of the products manufactured. The effects of strain, strain rate, and temperature on work hardening have received wide attention in the literature, but the role of the strain path has been far less studied, except for sheet-metal forming. Strain-path effects seem to have never been analyzed for bulk-forming processes, such as axisymmetric drawing. In the present work, drawn bars were considered as composed of concentric layers strained along varying strain paths. The tensile von Mises effective stress, effective-strain curves of two layers and of the full cross section of the drawn material, were experimentally determined. The flow behavior of these regions was compared to that resulting from pure monotonic-tensile processing. The AISI 420 and 304 stainless steels revealed a strain path and a material effect on their work-hardening characteristics. Higher or lower hardening rates were observed in axisymmetric drawing, as compared to pure tension. These phenomena were interpreted by considering the dislocation arrangements caused by initial drawing straining and their subsequent restructuring, associated with the strain-path change represented by tension after drawing. The analytical and numerical analyses of the tensile behavior of metals following axisymmetric drawing must consider the strain-path effects on the constitutive equations laws and on the hardening behavior of the material. The redundant deformation factor in axisymmetric drawing (φ) plays a central role in the analysis of the process and on the prediction of the mechanical properties of the final products. This parameter was evaluated considering (a) the strain distribution in the bar cross section caused by drawing or (b) the mechanical properties of the drawn bars. The comparison of the results from these two approaches allowed an unexplained interpretation of a material effect on this parameter.