Effect of Quenching Process on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Fe-0.9Mn-0.5Cr-2.4Ni-0.5Mo-C Steel

To develop an appropriate quenching process to produce Fe-0.9Mn-0.5Cr-2.4Ni-0.5Mo-C steel, the microstructures and mechanical properties of this steel were investigated under the direct quenching and tempering (DQT) and the direct quenching, reheated quenching and tempering (DQQT) heat treatment processes. The microstructure of the DQQT specimen was basically tempered sorbite with spherical precipitates, while quite a bit of tempered martensite was in the DQT specimen with dispersive nanoscaled precipitates. The yield strengths of the DQT and DQQT specimens were 1154 and 955 MPa, respectively. The yield strength of the DQT specimen was higher than that of the DQQT specimen because of its finer grain size, higher density of dislocations and dispersed precipitates. The DQQT specimen had spherical precipitates, which hindered the propagation of the crack. Moreover, the high-angle grain boundaries in the DQQT specimen took a higher proportion. Therefore, the Charpy impact values of DQT and DQQT specimens at ? 60 °C were 38 and 75 J, respectively. Consequently, the mechanical properties of the Fe-0.9Mn-0.5Cr-2.4Ni-0.5Mo-C steel, which met the standard of 1000 MPa grade steel plate for hydropower station, were acquired by the DQQT process.     

Effect of single and double austenitization treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 16Cr-2Ni steel

Double austenitization (DA) treatment is found to yield the best combination of strength and toughness in both low-temperature as well as high-temperature tempered conditions as compared to single austenitization (SA) treatments. Obtaining the advantages of double austenitization (DA) to permit dissolution of alloy carbides without significant grain coarsening was attempted in AISI 431 type martensitic stainless steel. Structure-property correlation after low-temperature tempering (200 °C) as well as high-temperature double tempering (650+600 °C) was carried out for three austenitization treatments through SA at 1000 °C, SA at 1070 °C, and DA at 1070+1000 °C. While the increase in strength after DA treatment and low-temperature tempering at 200 °C is due to the increased amount of carbon in solution as a result of dissolution of alloy carbides during first austenitization, the increased toughness is attributable to the increased quantity of retained austenite. After double tempering (650+600 °C), strength and toughness are mainly found to depend on the precipitation and distribution of carbides in the microstructure and the grain size effect.     

Influence of Heat Treatments on Microstructure and Toughness of 9%Ni Steel

The 9%Ni low-carbon steel is applied to utilities and processes at temperatures as low as ??196 °C. However, the microstructural features play an important role on the mechanical properties. Notably, the cryogenic toughness and mechanical strength are strongly dependent on the final heat treatment. In this paper, the microstructure of a 9%Ni low-carbon steel was modified by different heat treatments. The hardness and cryogenic toughness were measured and correlated to microstructural features. The material shows a temper embrittlement with intergranular cracking and minimum cryogenic toughness after tempering around 400 °C. Austempering at 480 °C also produced very low toughness results. On the other hand, excellent cryogenic toughness was obtained with single tempering at 600 °C after quenching or normalizing. Even higher toughness was obtained with the double tempering at 670 °C/2 h plus 600 °C/2 h. The amount of reversed austenite and its morphology in the specimen quenched and tempered at 600 °C were shown in the paper.     

Precipitation of Secondary Carbides in M2 High-Speed Steel Modified with Titanium diboride

The precipitation of the secondary carbides in high-speed steel of AISI M2 type modified with titanium diboride has been investigated for both the cast and the heat-treated states. The primary focus was on the effect of austenitizing temperatures on the secondary carbide precipitation during tempering. Some differences in origin of the secondary carbides, as well as in their shape and size distribution, were found in the tempered microstructure for the different austenitizing temperatures. After austenitization at 1180 °C and triple tempering at 560 °C, the secondary carbide particles of a spherical shape up to 200 nm in size were identified by selected area electron diffraction as M₂₃C₆. After austenitization at 1220 °C, two types of the secondary carbides were found in the tempered microstructure, M₂₃C₆ with a size up to 200 nm and M₆C with a size up to 400 nm. In both the cases, the carbide particles were slightly angular. After austenitization at 1260 °C, only M₆C secondary carbides were revealed in the tempered microstructure, which occurred as the angular particles up to 350 nm in size. In addition, considerably finer M₂₃C₆ carbide particles with a size of 10-40 nm were found to precipitate in the tempered microstructure.     

热处理对Fe-Cr-Ni低碳马氏体不锈钢组织及性能的影响

通过真空电弧熔炼方法制备了Fe-13Cr-3.5Ni不锈钢,并系统研究了不同热处理工艺对其微观组织以及硬度的影响。结果表明:熔炼态Fe-13Cr-3.5Ni不锈钢为典型的板条状马氏体组织;经过不同温度固溶和回火处理(600 ℃)后,其组织结构由板条状马氏体和少量残留奥氏体组成,残留奥氏体含量随着固溶温度的升高先增加后减少,而硬度值先降低后升高,硬度最低值为101.5 HRB;在1000 ℃淬火并在不同温度回火后其组织结构由回火板条状马氏体以及残留奥氏体组成,在650 ℃以下回火时,随着回火温度的升高奥氏体含量逐渐增多,当回火温度达700 ℃时,残留奥氏体含量下降,其洛氏硬度值随着回火温度的升高先降低后升高,其硬度值在99~107 HRB范围内。     

Rapid Tempering of Martensitic Stainless Steel AISI420: Microstructure,Mechanical and Corrosion Properties

In this research, the effect of rapid tempering on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel has been investigated. At first, all test specimens were austenitized at 1050 °C for 1 h and tempered at 200 °C for 1 h. Then, the samples were rapidly reheated by a salt bath furnace in a temperature range from 300 to 1050 °C for 2 min and cooled in air. The tensile tests, impact, hardness and electrochemical corrosion were carried out on the reheated samples. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the microstructure and fracture surface. To investigate carbides, transmission electron microscopy and also scanning electron microscopy were used. X-ray diffraction was used for determination of the retained austenite. The results showed that the minimum properties such as the tensile strength, impact energy, hardness and corrosion resistance were obtained at reheating temperature of 700 °C. Semi-continuous carbides in the grain boundaries were seen in this temperature. Secondary hardening phenomenon was occurred at reheating temperature of 500 °C.     

30CrNi4Mo钢的组织和冲击疲劳性能的研究

研究了30CrNi4Mo钢不同热处理的组织和冲击疲劳性能。结果表明,30CrNi4Mo钢正火低温回火的组织由贝氏体、马氏体和残余奥氏体组成,淬火低温回火组织为回火马氏体和残余奥氏体。正火低温回火的冲击疲劳裂纹形成寿命高于淬火低温回火和淬火高温回火的冲击疲劳裂纹形成寿命,淬火高温回火的冲击疲劳总寿命高于正火及淬火低温回火热处理的冲击疲劳寿命。分析了多冲击疲劳裂纹扩展的行为,讨论了正火低温回火冲击疲劳裂纹形成寿命较长及淬火高温回火提高冲击疲劳总寿命的原因。     

Modification of Low-Alloy Steel Surface by High-Temperature Gas Nitriding Plus Tempering

The low-alloy steel was nitrided in a pure NH₃ gas atmosphere at 640 ~ 660 °C for 2 h, i.e., high-temperature gas nitriding (HTGN), followed by tempering at 225 °C, which can produce a high property surface coating without brittle compound (white) layer. The steel was also plasma nitriding for comparison. The composition, microstructure and microhardness of the nitrided and tempered specimens were examined, and their tribological behavior investigated. The results showed that the as-gas-nitrided layer consisted of a white layer composed of FeN_0.095 phase (nitrided austenite) and a diffusional zone underneath the white layer. After tempering, the white layer was decomposed to a nano-sized (α-Fe + γ′-Fe₄N + retained austenite) bainitic microstructure with a high hardness of 1150HV/25 g. Wear test results showed that the wear resistance and wear coefficient yielded by the complex HTGN plus tempering were considerably higher and lower, respectively, than those produced by the conventional plasma nitriding.     

Investigation of the Microstructural Changes and Hardness Variations of Sub-Zero Treated Cr-V Ledeburitic Tool Steel Due to the Tempering Treatment

The microstructure and tempering response of Cr-V ledeburitic steel Vanadis 6 subjected to sub-zero treatment at ??196 °C for 4 h have been examined with reference to the same steel after conventional heat treatment. The obtained experimental results infer that sub-zero treatment significantly reduces the retained austenite amount, makes an overall refinement of microstructure, and induces a significant increase in the number and population density of small globular carbides with a size 100-500 nm. At low tempering temperatures, the transient M₃C-carbides precipitated, whereas their number was enhanced by sub-zero treatment. The presence of chromium-based M₇C₃ precipitates was evidenced after tempering at the temperature of normal secondary hardening; this phase was detected along with the M₃C. Tempering above 470 °C converts almost all the retained austenite in conventionally quenched specimens while the transformation of retained austenite is rather accelerated in sub-zero treated material. As a result of tempering, a decrease in the population density of small globular carbides was recorded; however, the number of these particles retained much higher in sub-zero treated steel. Elevated hardness of sub-zero treated steel can be referred to more completed martensitic transformation and enhanced number of small globular carbides; this state is retained up to a tempering temperature of around 500 °C in certain extent. Correspondingly, lower as-tempered hardness of sub-zero treated steel tempered above 500 °C is referred to much lower contribution of the transformation of retained austenite, and to an expectedly lower amount of precipitated alloy carbides.     

Effect of Cadmium Plating Thickness on the Charpy Impact Energy of Hydrogen-Charged 4340 Steel

Hydrogen was intentionally introduced into ultra-high strength steel by cadmium plating. The purpose was to examine the effect of cadmium plate thickness and hence hydrogen on the impact energy of the steel. The AISI 4340 steel was austenitized at 1000 °C for 1 h, water quenched, and tempered at temperatures between 257 and 593 °C in order to achieve a range of targeted strength levels. The specimens were cadmium plated with 0.00508 mm (0.2 mils), 0.00762 mm (0.3 mils), and 0.0127 mm (0.5 mils). Results demonstrated that the uncharged specimens exhibited higher impact energy values when compared to the plated specimens at all tempering temperatures. The cadmium-plated specimens had very low Charpy impact values irrespective of their ultimate tensile strength values. The model of hydrogen transport by mobile dislocations to the fracture site appears to provide the most suitable explanation of the results.     

回火温度对CLAM钢组织及性能的影响

以真空感应熔炼(VIM)+电渣重熔精炼(ESR)生产的CLAM钢为研究对象,在1000℃淬火后,分别在690、725、760、795℃下回火,采用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线衍射仪(XRD)等研究了回火温度对CLAM钢组织及力学性能的影响。结果表明:在不同温度回火后,试验钢显微组织均为回火马氏体;随着回火温度的升高,试验钢中析出相数量逐渐增多;725℃回火后,试验钢析出相的尺寸细小,但出现偏聚现象,回火温度为760℃时,析出相分布较为均匀;随着回火温度的升高,试验钢强度逐渐降低,冲击韧性逐渐提高;760℃回火时试验钢具有较优的综合力学性能。725℃回火对试验钢的位错密度和强度影响最大,相比690℃回火,试验钢的位错密度、抗拉强度及屈服强度分别下降了2.575×10^14 m^-2、109.6 MPa和118.1 MPa。     

Effect of high-temperature annealing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ferritic-pearlitic steel 10G2FT subjected to equal-channel angular pressing

Results are given of the investigation of mechanical properties, microstructure, and phase composition of low-carbon ferritic-pearlitic steel 10G2FT (Fe-1.12Mn-0.08V-0.07Ti-0.1C) after equal-channel angular pressing and subsequent high-temperature annealing at temperatures of 500–700°C. It has been shown that the predominantly submicrocrystalline structure formed during the equal-channel angular pressing possesses high thermostability up to a temperature of 500°C. The contribution of age hardening to the strengthening of steel 10G2FT during the equal-channel angular pressing and to the stabilization of the submicrocrystalline structure to high annealing temperatures is discussed.     

The effects of austenite on the cryogenic mechanical properties of Fe−13Mn−3Al steel

This article reports the results of an investigation on the effects of austenite on the cryogenic mechanical properties of Fe-13Mn-3Al steel. The volume fraction of austenite varied from 4% to a maximum of 70%, according to tempering temperature and time. In the study, the morphology of austenite changed from the interlath type at below 550°C to block type at above 600°C. Yield strength of the alloy decreased linearly with the austenite volume fraction from 1,157 MPa in a 500°C tempered specimen to 761 MPa in a 650°C tempered one. Tensile strength and elongation tended to increase with the austenite volume fraction. Hyung Chul Lee and Hu-Chull Lee are currently faculty members at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University.     

Microstructural Evolution and Deformation Behavior of a Hot-Rolled and Heat Treated Fe-8Mn-4Al-0.2C Steel

The microstructural evolution following tensile deformation of a hot-rolled and heat treated Fe-8Mn-4Al-0.2C steel was studied. Quenching in the range of 750-800 °C followed by tempering at 200 °C led to a ferrite-austenite mixed microstructure that was characterized by excellent combination of tensile strength of 800-1000 MPa and elongation of 30-40%, and a three-stage work hardening behavior. During the tensile deformation, the retained austenite transformed into martensite and delayed the onset of necking, thus leading to a higher ductility via the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect. The improvement of elongation is attributed to diffusion of carbon from δ-ferrite to austenite during tempering, which improves the stability of austenite, thus contributing to enhanced tensile ductility.     

Effects of Ultra-Fast Cooling After Hot Rolling and Intercritical Treatment on Microstructure and Cryogenic Toughness of 3.5%Ni Steel

A novel process comprised of ultra-fast cooling after control rolling, intercritical quenching and tempering (UFC-LT) was applied to 3.5%Ni steel. In addition, quenching and tempering (QT) treatment was conducted in comparison. The present study focuses on the relationship between the microstructure and cryogenic toughness of 3.5%Ni steel. Results show that the microstructure of steel treated by UFC-LT consisted of tempered martensite, intercritical ferrite and two types of reversed austenite (RA) (needle shape and blocky). Compared to the QT sample, the UFC-LT sample’s ultimate tensile strength decreased slightly, while its elongation increased from 32.3 to 35.7%, and its Charpy absorption energy at ?135 °C increased from 112 to 237 J. The ductile-brittle transition temperature of UFC-LT sample was lower than that of the QT sample by 18 °C. The superior cryogenic toughness after UFC-LT compared to QT treatment can be attributed to the dissolution of cementite, approximately 3.0% increase in RA and the decrease in effective grain size.     

30CrMnSiA钢回火组织对超声信号影响的试验研究

30CrMnSiA钢具有较高的强度和良好的韧性,是重要的飞机结构受力部件,常在淬火后不同温度回火处理状态下使用。本研究取淬火态的30CrMnSiA钢在200~700 ℃进行回火,观察其金相组织,并使用超声检测方法对不同回火组织进行检测,分析超声波传播特征（纵波声速、声衰减系数、底波频移）与回火温度、组织变化之间的关系。结果表明:随回火温度提高,30CrMnSiA组织依次为回火马氏体、回火屈氏体、回火索氏体、铁素体+珠光体,硬度逐渐降低;受回火脆性的影响,在540~620 ℃回火得到的回火屈氏体超声检测特征参数值呈大幅度波动;其他回火组织进行超声检测时,随回火温度的升高,超声声速呈增大趋势,底波频移呈下降趋势。     

Effect of nitrogen on microstructure and corrosion resistance of Cr15 super martensitic stainless steel

ABSTRACT

To investigate the influence of nitrogen on structure and corrosion resistance of Cr15 super martensitic stainless steels (SMSS), two types (N-free and N-0.12%) of specimens were quenched at 1050°C and tempered at different temperatures, and then, optical microscope, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, potentiodynamic polarisation, immersion experiments and Kelvin Probe Force Microscope were used to characterize its microstructures and corrosion properties. The experimental results show that the microstructure in the N-free Cr15 super martensitic stainless steel is a biphasic tissue with alternating martensite and austenite distribution while quenched at 1050°C and tempered between 600 and 700°C. The nitrogen addition increases the content of austenite, and changes the austenite morphology significantly into the coarse block and strip distribution. What’s more, micro-galvanic corrosion is formed between austenite and martensite, which deteriorates the corrosion resistance of the SMSS.     

回火温度对40CrMoVNbTi钢组织和性能的影响

采用780℃亚温淬火和不同温度回火,探究回火温度对40CrMoVNbTi钢组织和力学性能的影响。对淬火不同温度回火40CrMoVNbTi钢的力学性能变化及显微组织和冲击断口断貌进行观察和分析。结果表明,780℃亚温淬火,随回火温度的提高,40CrMoVNbTi钢的强度下降,塑性呈上升趋势,300℃回火冲击吸收能量值最低,出现回火脆性。200℃回火组织为回火马氏体和残留奥氏体,其抗拉强度为2150 MPa,KV₂为23.8 J;550～600℃回火组织为回火索氏体,韧性较好,其抗拉强度为1190～1070 MPa,KV₂为94～123 J,满足AISI 4140钢的力学性能要求,具有较高的冲击性能。     

回火温度对高强无碳化物贝氏体钢无缝管组织和性能的影响

研究了正火后回火温度对无碳化物贝氏体钢无缝钢管组织和性能的影响。试验结果表明,930 ℃正火后在600 ℃以下回火时,随回火温度的提高,试验材料的抗拉强度有降低的趋势,但降幅不大,强度在973~1012 MPa变化。试验材料的冲击吸收能量在300 ℃达到最大值,为72 J;400 ℃回火时,冲击吸收能量出现最低值,出现无碳化物贝氏体钢的回火脆性;回火温度超过400 ℃时,冲击吸收能量上升;300~350 ℃回火时,伸长率和断面收缩率最高。在400 ℃以下回火时,试验材料的组织由无碳化物贝氏体、块状铁素体和残留奥氏体组成;超过400 ℃回火时,组织为粒状贝氏体及块状铁素体。无碳化物贝氏体钢无缝钢管930 ℃正火,300 ℃回火时具有较佳的综合力学性能。     

Correlations between microstructure and surface properties in a high nitrogen martensitic stainless steel

Nitrided and tempered AISI 410S stainless steel was tested under corrosion–erosion conditions and compared to conventional AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel. The corrosion–erosion resistance of the nitrided specimens was higher than that of the AISI 420 steel when tempered at 200 °C, but it decreased with tempering temperature in the range between 200 and 600 °C. The higher corrosion–erosion resistance of the high-nitrogen steel was credited to a more homogeneous distribution of chromium in martensite and a lower number of coarse second-phase particles, especially for tempering temperatures below 550 °C. The hexagonal ϵ-nitride was identified in specimens tempered at 200 °C, while finely distributed cubic CrN nitrides were observed in specimens tempered between 400 and 600 °C. Hexagonal Cr₂N nitrides were observed at 550 and 600 °C. These coarse, high-chromium precipitates were responsible for the drop in corrosion resistance of the nitrided specimens.