Fine structure in the inter-critical heat-affected zone of HQ130 super-high strength steel

The microstructure in the intercritical heat-affected zone (ICHAZ) of HQ130 steel, has been investigated by thermo-simulation test, SEM and TEM. The problem of toughness decrease in the ICHAZ (T _p = 800°C) as well as the effect of M-A constituent and carbide precipitation on brittleness was analysed. The test results indicated that the microstructure in the ICHAZ of HQ130 steel was mostly a mixture of lath martensite (ML) and granular bainite (Bg) with a fine but nonuniform grain structure. The cause of brittleness in the ICHAZ was related to production of the M-A constituent in the local region and carbide precipitation. By controlling the welding heat input carbide precipitation and the formation of the M-A constituent can be avoided or decreased.     

10CrNi3MoV钢焊接热影响区组织和晶粒度研究

采用焊接热模拟技术研究了590MPa级船用高强度结构钢焊接热影响区组织和晶粒度的变化规律．研究结果表明：10CrNi3MoV钢热影响区粗晶区(CGHAZ)经峰值温度在临界相变点Ac1和Ac3温度范围二次热循环后，具有粗大组织或粗大晶粒遗传现象．焊接线能量(t8/5时间)对粗大晶粒遗传没有影响，但对粗大组织遗传具有显著影响．当t8/5较小时，能够产生粗大组织遗传．当t8/5较大时，仅仅产生粗大晶粒遗传．并且，随着t8/5值增加，产生粗大组织遗传的温度区间减小。     

热输入对Q890高强钢焊缝组织及性能的影响

针对国内某钢厂最新研制的Q890高强钢,采用三种不同的热输入对其进行气体保护焊接,研究了不同热输入对焊缝金属组织、硬度及冲击韧性的影响.结果表明,3种热输入下,焊缝组织主要以板条贝氏体为主,并含有粒状贝氏体、少量的板条马氏体和残余奥氏体.随着热输入的增大,焊缝组织中贝氏体铁素体板条粗化,板条马氏体逐渐减少,而粒状贝氏体逐渐增多,部分残余奥氏体由薄膜状向块状转变;焊缝金属硬度随着热输入的增大而下降;焊缝金属的冲击韧性亦呈逐渐下降的趋势.     

Effects of weld strength undermatch on fracture toughness of HAZ notched weldments in a HSLA steel

In the present work the effects of weld strength undermatch on fracture toughness of heat affected zone (HAZ) have been studied. In the investigation a high strength low alloyed steel (HSLA) with 800 MPa strength class was used, and the undermatched welded joints were made with two weld strength mismatch levels. Three-point bending test specimens with crack depth to specimen width ratio a/W ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 were extracted from the welded joints. The test results show that strength mismatching gives an obvious influence on the fracture toughness of coarse grained HAZ for the undermatched joints. The lower the weld strength mismatching, the higher the fracture toughness of the HAZ. In addition the tendency of fracture toughness change with crack depths is much the same as in previous studies on base metals or weld metals, that is, fracture toughness of the HAZ is increased with reduction of crack depths. From the measured results it shows that the macroscopically mechanical heterogeneity of the welds may have more important influence on the fracture toughness of the HAZ than the meso-heterogeneity in the reheated coarse grained HAZ. Furthermore, numerical verification indicates that the stress triaxiality at crack tip may be the essential reason for the change of fracture toughness of HAZ. It is also shown that the yield strength of HAZ determined by the limit load in the three-point bend test represents the combinative effects of HAZ and its surrounding materials. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Tem observation and fracture morphology in the cghaz of a new 0cr18mo2ti ferritic stainless steel

Microstructure, precipitates and fracture morphology in the coarse grained heat-affected zone CGHAZ) of a new high-purity 0Cr18Mo2Ti ferritic stainless steel were studied by means of optical metallography, SEM, TEM, X-ray diffractometer, etc. Experimental results indicated that grain coarsening resulted in brittle fracture in the CGHAZ of 0Cr18Mo2Ti steel. The reduction of impact toughness in the CGHAZ due to change of cooling rate can be attributed to the increase of nitrides (TiN, Cr₂N, etc). These nitrides in the CGHAZ promote initiation and propagation of brittle cracks. The precipitated Cr₂N nitrides in the grain boundaries decrease impact toughness in the CGHAZ of 0Cr₁₈Mo₂Ti steel by promoting crack initiation. In practical applications, the welding heat input (E) should be as low as possible to prevent toughness reduction in the CGHAZ.     

热输入对E36钢SAW焊缝组织及韧性的影响

为提高建造海洋采油平台的效率、减少生产周期,进而为实际生产提供数据支持,采用3种不同热输入对海洋采油平台用E36钢进行埋弧焊焊接,通过光学显微镜(OM)、透射电镜(TEM)、扫描电镜(SEM)和电子背散射衍射技术(EBSD)对焊缝微观组织及夹杂物形貌进行了观察,研究了不同热输入对焊缝组织及韧性的影响,并分析了不同热输入对焊缝夹杂物尺寸分布和成分的影响.结果表明:热输入为50 k J/cm时,焊缝金属韧性较好;随着焊接热输入的增加,焊缝的冲击韧性降低,但仍能满足性能指标,焊缝金属中夹杂物成分相差较大,有效夹杂物数量减少,焊缝金属中大角度晶界比例减少;对于E36钢,热输入为160 k J/cm时不仅能使韧性符合要求还能提高生产效率.     

Dynamic fracture toughness of a high strength armor steel

This paper summarizes the results of a research being carried out to determine fracture behavior both in static and dynamic conditions of high strength armor steel Armox500T. In this research, notched specimens were cut to be tested in three-point bending test. Specimens were pre-cracked by flexural fatigue. Thereafter, some specimens were tested in bending up to rupture to determine the static fracture toughness K_IC. To obtain fracture toughness in dynamic conditions, a split Hopkinson bar modified to perform three-point bending tests was used. In this device, displacements and velocities of the specimen were measured, as well as the rupture time by means of fracture detection sensors, glued to the specimens. After that, a numerical simulation of the test was performed by using LS DYNA hydrocode, obtaining stresses and strain histories around the crack tip. From these results, the stress intensity factor history was derived. By using the rupture time, measured by the sensors, the value of the fracture toughness computed was unrealistic. Therefore, the use of a numerical procedure to obtain the rupture time was decided, by comparing experimental results of velocities at the transmission bar with numerical results obtained with several rupture times. With this procedure, the computation of dynamic fracture toughness was possible. The method shows that the measurement of the dynamic fracture toughness is possible without the needs of using crack sensors or strain gauges. It can be observed that fracture toughness of this steel under static and dynamic conditions is quite similar.     

Effect of heat treatment on mechanical and ballistic properties of a high strength armour steel

In the present study an ultra high strength armour steel was austenatised at 910°C followed by tempering at 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600°C. After heat treatment the properties of tensile strength, ductility, charpy impact strength, hardness and microstructure were evaluated from the mechanical tests and metallographic analysis respectively. The ballistic behavior of the heat-treated plates was evaluated impacting against non-deformable hard steel core projectiles at 840 ± 15 m/s at normal angle of attack. The changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties with heat treatment have been correlated with ballistic performance of the steel. Experimental results showed that 200°C tempering gives the best ballistic performance.     

硫化物形态对超高强度钢冲击韧性的影响

本文对比分析了"真空感应+真空自耗重熔"和"电弧炉+VOD+真空自耗重熔"两种工艺冶炼的超高强度G50钢力学性能.利用扫描电镜和能谱分析等检测手段研究了不同冶炼工艺生产的G50钢中夹杂物类型和尺寸分布.研究结果表明:电弧炉+VOD+真空自耗重熔工艺冶炼的G50钢横向和纵向冲击韧性分别相对"VIM+VAR"工艺得到很大的改善,各向均匀性得到改善.电弧炉+VOD+真空自耗重熔工艺冶炼的G50钢中夹杂物颗粒状和椭圆形弥散均匀分布,阻碍空洞合并,导致冲击性能尤其是横向冲击性能得到极大的改善.     

Influence of heat input on microstructure and fracture toughness property in different zones of X80 pipeline steel weldments

In this paper, microstructure observations and mechanical behaviour of fusion line and offsetting positions from fusion line by 1, 2 and 3 mm were analysed. For the welding of X80 pipeline steel plates, different magnitudes of heat inputs such as high heat input (HHI) 25 kJ/cm, medium heat input (MHI) 20 kJ/cm and low heat input (LHI) 15 kJ/cm were employed. Critical values of J‐integral (J_0.2) and crack tip opening displacement (CTOD_0.2) for predetermined regions in the X80 weldment were determined as per ASTM‐E1820a. M‐A constituents of different sizes such as small (1–2 μm), large >2 μm and slender (>4 μm) were observed in the microstructure of subzones of weldments for different heat inputs. Formation of granular bainite, M‐A constituents and inclusions of Ti, Si, Mo in the microstructure impaired fracture toughness property. In the X80 weldment, the fusion line (FL) for HHI was found weakest in terms of fracture resistance, which subsequently increases the risk of fracture.     

Effect of heat input on microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar joints between super duplex stainless steel and high strength low alloy steel

In the present study, microstructure and mechanical properties of UNS S32750 super duplex stainless steel (SDSS)/API X-65 high strength low alloy steel (HSLA) dissimilar joint were investigated. For this purpose, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) was used in two different heat inputs: 0.506 and 0.86 kJ/mm. The microstructures investigation with optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction showed that an increase in heat input led to a decrease in ferrite percentage, and that detrimental phases were not present. It also indicated that in heat affected zone of HSLA base metal in low heat input, bainite and ferrite phases were created; but in high heat input, perlite and ferrite phases were created. The results of impact tests revealed that the specimen with low heat input exhibited brittle fracture and that with high heat input had a higher strength than the base metals.     

Basic studies leading to the development of an ultrahigh strength,high fracture toughness low-alloy steel

Ultrahigh strength steels have been used increasingly in recent years for critical aircraft and aerospace structural applications. In such applications, though materials performance is of prime consideration, cost and availability makes the low-alloy steels an attractive option. This paper describes the development of an ultrahigh strength NiSiCrCoMo low-alloy steel, supported by significant findings obtained from the basic studies that were aimed at understanding how solute additions influence fracture resistance of iron, with and without the presence of carbon. The results of the basic studies, in combination with the work of Garrison (1986) on a NiSiCr steel, have profitably been employed in the development of a NiSiCrCoMo low-alloy steel possessing a strength-toughness combination quite comparable to the highly alloyed 250-grade maraging steel. Reproducibility of attractive strength and toughness properties has been established in tonnage scale melts. This steel, in the softened condition, has good formability and machinability. Weld parameters have also been established. The NiSiCrCoMo low-alloy steel thus meets the requirements of performance and cost rendering it an attractive option for advanced structural applications.     

高强度热冲压钢板强韧性工艺优化研究

为改善强韧性,本文基于热冲压高强度钢板强度、塑性和韧性指标,选取加热温度、保温时间和开始淬火温度为设计因子,引入Kahn试验获得高强度热冲压硼钢撕裂强度和单位面积裂纹形核功来表征材料断裂韧性,进行多指标综合评分的L9(34)正交试验设计,以研究不同淬火工艺参数对热冲压高强钢强韧性的影响规律.结果表明:在加热温度为920~950℃、保温时间1 min、开始淬火温度为650~700℃条件下,热冲压硼钢SPFH具有优良的成形性能和强韧化指标.采用优化后工艺进行典型车身结构件热冲压试验,其撕裂强度、单位面积裂纹形核功和强韧比分别提升10.91%、20.32%和22.17%,在保证强度的基础上韧性得到了大幅度提高.     

Effect of fracture path on the toughness of weld metal

The crack propagation direction may affect weld metal fracture behavior. This fracture behavior has been investigated using two sets of single edge notched bend (SENB) specimens; one with a crack propagating in the welding direction (B×2B) and the other with a crack propagating from the top in the root direction (B×B) of a welded joint. Two different weld metals were used, one with low and one with high toughness values. For Weld Metal A, two specimen types have been used (B×B and B×2B) both with deep cracks. The weld metal A (with high toughness values) has reasonably uniform properties between weld root and cap. The resulting J-R curves show little effect of the specimen type, are ductile to the extent that the toughness exceeds the maximum J_max, value allowed by validity limits and testing is in the large –scale yielding regime. In the case of weld metal B (with low toughness values) with two specimen types (B×B and B×2B) the B×B specimen has shallow cracks while the B×2B specimen has deep cracks. Both resulting J-R curves show unstable behavior despite the fact that the types of specimen and their constraints are different. The analysis has shown that crack propagation direction is most influential for a weldment with low toughness in the small scale yielding regime, whereas its influence diminishes due to ductile tearing during stable crack growth and large scale yielding. The results have shown that these effects are different in both the crack initiation phase and during stable crack growth, indicating a dependence on weld metal toughness and the microstructure of the weld metal. It can be concluded that, if resistance curves during stable crack growth do not show differences in both notch orientations, the fracture toughness values of the whole weld metal can be treated as uniform.     

Influence of Y on microstructures and mechanical properties of high strength steel weld metal

A comprehensive investigation is conducted into the effect of yttrium oxide on microstructures of weld metal deposits and mechanical properties of high strength steel electrode measured in the Ni–Cr–Mo–V alloy system. The results demonstrate a gradual decrease of the content of proeutectoid ferrites and a gradual increase of acicular ferrites, as the content of yttrium oxide increases from 0% to 0.02%. However, as the content of yttrium oxide surpasses 0.02%, the content of acicular ferrites reduces significantly. Meanwhile, the toughness under low-temperature impact increases and then decreases, as the content of yttrium varies from 0% to 0.03%, reaching the maximum of 102J at the field of 0.02%. However, the strength fails to change significantly. The results also indicate that the cold cracking sensitivity is lower when the content of yttrium oxide is 0.02%, but the values would increase as the content of yttrium oxide fluctuates.     

HAZ microstructure simulation in welding of a ultra fine grain steel

In the present work the evolution of grain structure in the weld HAZ (heat affected zone) under welding thermal cycle was simulated. Especially the grain growth in the HAZ of a SS400 ultra fine grain steel was investigated. An integrated 3-D Monte Carlo (MC) simulation system for grain growth of the weld HAZ was developed based on Microsoft Windows. The results indicate that MC simulation is an effective way to investigate the grain growth in weld HAZ. The method not only simulates the non-isothermal dynamics process of the grain growth in the weld HAZ, but also visualizes the austenite grains realistically. Moreover, the thermal pinning effect can be easily included in the simulation process. The grain sizes of the CGHAZ (coarse grain heat affected zone) obtained from MC simulation are basically in agreement with the experimental measurement of the real welded joints under different heat input. Furthermore, the simulation indicates that the grain growth degree is higher for the SS400 ultra fine grain steel compared to conventional steel. With the increase in the heat input, the grain growth of the CGHAZ rapidly increases. Because the activation energy of the grain growth is lower for the SS400 ultra fine grain steel, austenite grains can grow at a relatively lower temperature, hence the range of the CGHAZ becomes wider.     

一种新型高强韧铸造铝硅合金(ZL120)热处理工艺的研究

对一种新型高强韧铸造铝硅合金 (暂名ZL1 2 0 )的T6热处理工艺进行了研究 .对固溶温度Ts、固溶时间ts、时效温度Ta和时效时间ta进行三水平正交试验 ,并测试了该合金在对应处理状态下的力学性能 ,然后根据此结果再进行验证性试验 .结果表明 ,改变这四个参数可得到一系列的性能组合 ,例如 ,热处理工艺为 5 2 0℃× 1 6h+ 60℃水冷 + 1 70℃ × 8h时 ,可获得抗拉强度σb ≥ 40 0MPa和延伸率δ5 ≥ 3 %的力学性能 .     

Effect of welding heat input on microstructure and mechanical properties of simulated HAZ in Cu containing microalloyed steel

The influence of weld thermal simulation on ICGC HAZ microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu containing Nb-Ti-microalloyed steel has been investigated. Low heat input of 0.7 kJ/mm (simulated fast cooling of Δt _8/5 = 5 s) and high heat input of 4.5 kJ/mm (simulated slow cooling of Δt _8/5 = 61 s) were used to generate double-pass thermal cycles with peak temperatures of 1350 and 800 °C, respectively. The microstructure after high heat input mainly consisted of polygonal and quasi-polygonal ferrite (QF) grains with certain amount of acicular ferrite, whereas, after the low heat input, microstructure mainly consisted of lath or elongated bainite–ferrite, QF and M–A constituents. The size of ferrite grains decreased and volume of M/A constituents increased with fast cooling rate. The precipitation characteristics were found to be similar in both cooling rates. However, the precipitation of Cu-related phases was promoted by slow cooling rate. By fast cooling rate, the investigated steel exhibited an increase in hardness from 187_HV to 197_HV. Consequently higher yield strength with considerable loss in the (−10 °C) CTOD fracture toughness (δ_{fast cooling} = 0.86 mm and δ_{slow cooling} = 1.12 mm) were demonstrated.