The Effect of the Initial Microstructure on Recrystallization and Austenite Formation in a DP600 Steel

The effects of initial microstructure and thermal cycle on recrystallization, austenite formation, and their interaction were studied for intercritical annealing of a low-carbon steel that is suitable for industrial production of DP600 grade. The initial microstructures included 50 pct cold-rolled ferrite–pearlite, ferrite–bainite–pearlite and martensite. The latter two materials recrystallized at similar rates, while slower recrystallization was observed for ferrite–pearlite. If heating to an intercritical temperature was sufficiently slow, then recrystallization was completed before austenite formation, otherwise austenite formed in a partially recrystallized microstructure. The same trends as for recrystallization were found for the effect of initial microstructure on kinetics of austenite formation. The recrystallization–austenite formation interaction accelerated austenization in all the three starting microstructures by providing additional nucleation sites and enhancing growth rates, and drastically altered morphology and distribution of austenite. In particular, for ferrite–bainite–pearlite and martensite, the recrystallization–austenite formation interaction resulted in substantial microstructural refinement. Recrystallization and austenite formation from a fully recrystallized state were successfully modeled using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov approach.     

Formation of Banded Microstructures with Rapid Intercritical Annealing of Cold-Rolled Sheet Steel

The effects of heating rate in the range of 0.3 to 693 °C/s on transformations during intercritical annealing of a cold-rolled 0.12C-1.4Mn-0.02Nb steel with either a ferrite-pearlite or ferrite-spheroidized carbide microstructure were evaluated. Heating rates were selected to impart different predicted degrees of ferrite recrystallization present at the onset of austenite formation. Rapid heating minimized ferrite recrystallization with both prior microstructures and minimized pearlite spheroidization in the ferrite-pearlite condition, and austenite formation occurred preferentially in recovered ferrite regions as opposed to along recrystallized ferrite boundaries. Martensite was evenly distributed in slowly heated steels because austenite formed on recrystallized, equiaxed, ferrite boundaries. With rapid heating, austenite formed in directionally oriented recovered ferrite, which increased the degree of banding. The greatest degree of banding was found with intermediate heating rates leading to partial recrystallization, because austenite formed preferentially in the remaining recovered ferrite, which was located in bands along the rolling direction. Ferrite-spheroidized carbide microstructures had somewhat reduced martensite banding when compared to the ferrite-pearlite condition, where elongated pearlite enhanced banded austenite leading to banding in transformed microstructures.     

Austenite formation during intercritical annealing

A systematic experimental study has been conducted on ferrite recrystallization and intercritical austenite formation for two low-carbon steels with chemical compositions typically used for dual-phase and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. Different initial heating rates, holding temperatures, and times were applied to the materials to examine the ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation kinetics. An Avrami model was developed to describe the isothermal ferrite recrystallization behavior and was applied successfully to the nonisothermal conditions. It was found that the initial heating rate affects the isothermal austenite formation kinetics for both the hot-rolled and cold-rolled materials albeit the effect is more pronounced for the cold-rolled material. This can be attributed to the interaction between the ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation processes. Furthermore, it was found that the distribution of austenite phase is also affected by the ferrite recrystallization process. When ferrite recrystallization is completed before the austenite formation (i.e., under sufficiently slow heating rate conditions), austenite is to a large extent randomly distributed in the ferrite matrix. On the other hand, incomplete recrystallization of ferrite due to higher heating rates leads to the formation of banded austenite grains. It is proposed that this observation is characteristic of simultaneous recrystallization and austenite formation where moving ferrite grain boundaries do not provide suitable sites for austenite nucleation.     

Modeling of the Recrystallization and Austenite Formation Overlapping in Cold-Rolled Dual-Phase Steels During Intercritical Treatments

Austenite formation kinetics of a DP1000 steel was investigated from a ferrite–pearlite microstructure (either fully recrystallized or cold-rolled) during typical industrial annealing cycles by means of dilatometry and optical microscopy after interrupted heat treatments. A marked acceleration of the kinetics was found when deformed ferrite grains were present in the microstructure just before austenite formation. After having described the austenite formation kinetics without recrystallization and the recrystallization kinetics of the steel without austenite formation by simple JMAK laws, a mixture law was used to analyze the kinetics of the cold-rolled steel for which austenite formation and recrystallization may occur simultaneously. In the case where the interaction between these two phenomena is strong, three main points were highlighted: (i) the heating rate greatly influences the austenite formation kinetics, as it affects the degree of recrystallization at the austenite start temperature; (ii) recrystallization inhibition above a critical austenite fraction accelerates the austenite formation kinetics; (iii) the austenite fractions obtained after a 1 hour holding deviate from the local equilibrium fractions given by Thermo-Calc, contrary to the case of the recrystallized steel. This latter result could be due to the fact that the dislocations of the deformed ferrite matrix could promote the diffusion of the alloying elements of the steel and accelerate austenite formation.     

Austenite Formation in Plain Low-Carbon Steels

In this study, austenite formation from hot-rolled (HR) and cold-rolled (CR) ferrite-pearlite structures in a plain low-carbon steel was investigated using dilation data and microstructural analysis. Different stages of microstructural evolution during heating of the HR and CR samples were investigated. These stages include austenite formation from pearlite colonies, ferrite-to-austenite transformation, and final carbide dissolution. In the CR samples, recrystallization of deformed ferrite and spheroidization of pearlite lamellae before transformation were evident at low heating rates. An increase in heating rate resulted in a delay in spheroidization of cementite lamellae and in recrystallization of ferrite grains in the CR steel. Furthermore, a morphological transition is observed during austenitization in both HR and CR samples with increasing heating rate. In HR samples, a change from blocky austenite grains to a fine network of these grains along ferrite grain boundaries occurs. In the CR samples, austenite formation changes from a random spatial distribution to a banded morphology.     

含铌冷轧DP780钢的连退工艺对组织及性能的影响

 通过成分工艺优化,在传统冷轧铁素体和马氏体双相钢DP780的显微组织上引入了一定体积分数的残余奥氏体,研究了冷轧退火工艺参数对双相钢DP780的显微组织和力学性能的影响。通过调整连续退火工艺来控制显微组织中一次铁素体、二次铁素体、马氏体、残余奥氏体的比例、尺寸、形貌、分布,同时获得了连退工艺参数-显微组织-力学性能的本质关系。结果表明,通过在传统冷轧铁素体和马氏体双相钢的组织上引入了体积分数为5%～7%的残余奥氏体,不仅可以获得[ReL/Rm≤0.5]的超低屈强比型冷轧DP780,也改善了成型性能。     

Effect of Heating Rate on the Austenite Formation in Low-Carbon High-Strength Steels Annealed in the Intercritical Region

Austenite formation during intercritical annealing was studied in a cold-rolled dual-phase (DP) steel based on a low-carbon DP780 composition processed in the mill. Two heating rates, 10 and 50 K/s, and a range of annealing temperatures from 1053 K to 1133 K (780 °C to 860 °C) were applied to study their effects on the progress of austenitization. The effect of these process parameters on the final microstructures and mechanical properties was also investigated using a fixed cooling rate of 10 K/s after corresponding annealing treatments. It was found that the heating rate affects the austenite formation not only during continuous heating, but also during isothermal holding, and the effect is more pronounced at lower annealing temperatures. Faster heating delays the recrystallization kinetics of the investigated steel. The rate of austenite formation and its distribution are strongly influenced by the extent of overlapping of the processes of recrystallization and austenitization. It appeared that the heating rate and temperature of intercritical annealing have a stronger effect on the final tensile strength (TS) of the DP steel than holding time. Both higher annealing temperatures and long holding times minimize the strength difference caused by a difference in heating rate.     

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.     

Development of Bimodal Ferrite-Grain Structures in Low-Carbon Steel Using Rapid Intercritical Annealing

Mixed ferrite grain structures, which have fine- and coarse-grain regions and showing “bimodal” grain size distributions, have been produced by rapid intercritical annealing of warm-rolled (or cold-rolled) samples. Microstructural changes have been analyzed using dilatometric studies, size prediction of transformed and recrystallized grains, and microtexture measurements. Fine austenite grains (<5 μm) developed during rapid annealing and transformed into fine-ferrite grains (2 to 4 μm) after cooling. Coarse-ferrite grains (28 to 42 μm) resulted from the recrystallization and growth of deformed ferrite. The effect of heating rate on microstructural morphologies during intercritical annealing has also been studied. A slow rate of heating (30 K/s) developed a uniform distribution of fine-ferrite grains and austenitic islands, while rapid heating (300 K/s) generated coarse blocks of austenite, elongated along the prior-pearlitic regions, in the ferrite matrix. As expected, bimodal ferrite grain structures or fine-scale dual-phase structures showed superior combination of tensile strength and ductility, compared to the ultrafine-grained steels.     

Influence of Al on the Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Behavior of Low-Carbon,Manganese Transformation-Induced-Plasticity Steel

Microstructural design with an Al addition is suggested for low-carbon, manganese transformation-induced-plasticity (Mn TRIP) steel for application in the continuous-annealing process. With an Al content of 1 mass pct, the competition between the recrystallization of the cold-rolled microstructure and the austenite formation cannot be avoided during intercritical annealing, and the recrystallization of the deformed matrix does not proceed effectively. The addition of 3 mass pct Al, however, allows nearly complete recrystallization of the deformed microstructure by providing a dual-phase cold-rolled structure consisting of ferrite and martensite and by suppressing excessive austenite formation at a higher annealing temperature. An optimized annealing condition results in the room-temperature stability of the intercritical austenite in Mn TRIP steel containing 3 mass pct Al, permitting persistent transformation to martensite during tensile deformation. The alloy presents an excellent strength-ductility balance combining a tensile strength of approximately 1 GPa with a total elongation over 25 pct, which is comparable to that of Mn TRIP steel subjected to batch-type annealing.     

Influence of the Initial Microstructure on the Reverse Transformation Kinetics and Microstructural Evolution in Transformation-Induced Plasticity–Assisted Steel

The reverse transformation behavior upon heating to intercritical temperature was studied in Fe-0.21C-2.2Mn-1.5Si (wt pct) alloy with three initial microstructures. One is the cold-rolled (CR) structure and two others are martensite having different fractions of retained austenite. The CR structure exhibits slower reverse transformation kinetics than martensite due to the lesser population of potent nucleation sites and coarse cementite particles. The film type of retained austenite at the martensite lath boundary contributes to the earlier start of the reverse transformation, because it can proceed as the growth of pre-existing retained austenite, which makes the nucleation process less critical. Besides, the growth of interlath austenite plays an essential role in the evolution of fine lath-type reverse-transformed microstructure, which was difficult to obtain from similar initial microstructures of martensite having negligible fraction of interlath austenite.     

Static strain aging phenomena in cold-rolled dual-phase steels

The effect of low-temperature aging, with aging temperatures up to 170°C, on a cold-rolled CMn−CrMo dual-phase (DP) ferrite-martensite steel was investigated. This material was processed using three different intercritical annealing treatments, leading to DP structures with different microstructures and properties. It has been found that both the aging in the ferrite phase and the tempering in the martensite play an important role in the mechanical behavior of the material with regard to the strain aging phenomena. The yield stress increase accompanying the aging phenomenon revealed three separate aging stages. In the present study, those stages were determined to be the result of the pinning of dislocations in the ferrite, the C-cluster formation, or low-temperature carbide precipitation in the ferrite and the volume contraction of the martensite due to formation of low-temperature carbides, leading to the relief of residual stresses in the ferrite. In the absence of a clear yield point, a new method is proposed to measure the increase in yield stress due to aging only.     

Static strain aging phenomena in cold-rolled dual-phase steels

The effect of low-temperature aging, with aging temperatures up to 170 °C, on a cold-rolled CMn-CrMo dual-phase (DP) ferrite-martensite steel was investigated. This material was processed using three different intercritical annealing treatments, leading to DP structures with different microstructures and properties. It has been found that both the aging in the ferrite phase and the tempering in the martensite play an important role in the mechanical behavior of the material with regard to the strain aging phenomena. The yield stress increase accompanying the aging phenomenon revealed three separate aging stages. In the present study, those stages were determined to be the result of the pinning of dislocations in the ferrite, the C-cluster formation, or low-temperature carbide precipitation in the ferrite and the volume contraction of the martensite due to formation of low-temperature carbides, leading to the relief of residual stresses in the ferrite. In the absence of a clear yield point, a new method is proposed to measure the increase in yield stress due to aging only.     

Ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation in cold-rolled intercritically annealed steel

The recrystallization of ferrite and austenite formation during intercritical annealing were studied in a 0.08C-1.45Mn-0.21Si steel by light and transmission electron microscopy. Normalized specimens were cold rolled 25 and 50 pct and annealed between 650 °C and 760 °C. Recrystallization of the 50 pct deformed ferrite was complete within 30 seconds at 760 °C. Austenite formation initiated concurrently with the ferrite recrystallization and continued beyond complete recrystallization of the ferrite matrix. The recrystallization of the deformed ferrite and the spheroidization of the cementite in the deformed pearlite strongly influence the formation and distribution of austenite produced by intercritical annealing. Austenite forms first at the grain boundaries of unrecrystallized and elongated ferrite grains and the spheroidized cementite colonies associated with ferrite grain boundaries. Spheroidized cementite particles dispersed within recrystallized ferrite grains by deformation and annealing phenomena were the sites for later austenite formation.     

临界退火中锰钢的组织性能和变形行为

 为了研究临界退火中锰钢的微观组织演变规律以及组织对力学性能和变形行为的影响,对冷轧中锰钢(0.1C-7Mn-0.35Si)在570～650 ℃范围内进行了临界退火处理。研究结果表明,随着退火温度升高,双相“奥氏体+铁素体”组织逐步趋于等轴化且晶粒有粗化的趋势,并且在650 ℃时出现了马氏体组织;试验钢的抗拉强度随温度升高而增加,而伸长率和屈服强度均呈下降趋势,局部不均匀变形带随着退火温度升高逐步弱化,在620和650 ℃时完全消失;在相对较高的退火温度下,粗化的等轴奥氏体晶粒中形变诱导马氏体相变的增强和大尺寸的铁素体晶粒中动态回复的减弱,以及更高温度时马氏体的引入等,均改善了屈服阶段的加工硬化能力,从而有效减弱或抑制吕德斯带的扩展。     

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。     

Evaluation of Interface Boundaries in 9Cr-1Mo Steel After Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatments

The grain boundary character distribution (GBCD) and microstructure in 9Cr-1Mo ferritic/martensitic steel subjected to different heat treatments and thermomechanical treatments (TMTs) have been evaluated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique. Microstructures obtained through displacive transformation of high-temperature austenite yielded higher amounts of Σ1-29 coincidence site lattice (CSL) boundaries (from 29 to 38 pct) compared with the ferrite grains obtained by diffusional transformation (~16 pct) or by recrystallization process (~14 pct). Specifically, the low-angle (Σ1), Σ3, Σ11, and Σ25b boundaries were enhanced in the tempered martensite substructure, whereas the prior austenite grain boundaries were largely of random type. Misorientation between the product ferrite variants for ideal orientation relationships during austenite transformation was calculated and compared with CSL misorientation to find its proximity based on Brandon’s criteria. The observed enhancements in Σ1, Σ3, and Σ11 could be interpreted based on Kurdjumov–Sachs (K–S) relation, but Nishiyama–Wassermann (N–W) relation was needed to understand Σ25b formation. The amounts of CSL boundaries in the tempered martensite structure were not significantly influenced by austenite grain size or the kinetics of martensitic transformation. In mixed microstructures of “polygonal ferrite + tempered martensite”, the frequencies of CSL boundaries were found to systematically decrease with increasing amounts of diffusional/recrystallized ferrite.     

热变形双相不锈钢的微区取向及组织分析

 在变形温度为1000和1100℃,应变速率为01s-1的条件下,利用MMS-200热模拟试验机,对S32750超级双相不锈钢进行了高温压缩试验。利用电子背散射衍射(EBSD)分析了其晶体取向和微观组织。研究结果表明,铁素体在两种试验条件下均可形成<001>和<111>∥压缩轴织构,在变形温度为1100℃时,<001>织构要强一些;奥氏体在两种变形温度下均形成了<001>织构,强度很弱。在变形温度为1100℃条件下,奥氏体中存在的以Σ3为主的CSL特殊晶界数量更多。两种试验条件下,S32750超级双相不锈钢中铁素体和奥氏体均发生了动态再结晶,降低变形温度有利于细化晶粒。在铁素体向奥氏体转变过程中,奥氏体可以在铁素体晶界处生成,也可以在铁素体晶粒内部形成。     

Effect of Warm-Rolled Pearlite Microstructural Features on Austenitic Transformation

The austenite transformation characteristics for various warm-rolled pearlite during rapid heating were investigated. The results indicate that the start temperature (Ts) is sensitive to the microstructural feature of pearlite,whereas the dislocation plays an important role in the transformation rate; at the same time, the uniformity of austenite grains is more or less affected by the amount of spheroidized pearlite. A critical effect on the state of austenite grain is created through the influence of initial microstructures on the start temperature of transformation.     

冷轧中锰钢的超塑性与组织结构演化行为

 为了研究含铝冷轧中锰钢的超塑性能和在超塑性变形下的组织结构演化过程,对冷轧含铝中锰钢在800 ℃进行了高温拉伸试验和不同变形量下的微观组织结构表征。研究结果表明,0.05C5Mn2Al、0.10C5Mn2Al和0.15C5Mn3Al钢伸长率分别达到了740%、850%和350%,都获得了超塑性现象,EBSD表征结果表明0.05C5Mn2Al、0.10C5Mn2Al两种冷轧组织均匀细小,在高温拉伸过程中具有较高的稳定性,拉伸过程中铁素体与原奥氏体均匀长大,且最大晶粒尺寸小于10 μm;但0.15C5Mn3Al冷轧组织存在条带状的铁素体,该组织易于通过吞并细小的铁素体和原奥氏体晶粒而异常长大,高温拉伸后的尺寸达到了20 μm。通过对3种含铝冷轧中锰钢的超塑性行为与微观组织结构演化关系分析,认为初始均匀一致的冷轧组织具有高的组织稳定性而有利于超塑性,而具有粗大条带状的铁素体组织易于发生异常长大而不利于超塑性。