Experimental determination of the stability of retained austenite in low alloy TRIP steels

The stability of retained austenite is the most important parameter controlling the transformation plasticity effects in multiphase low alloy TRIP steels. In this work the thermodynamic stability of the retained austenite has been determined experimentally by measuring the M^σ_s temperature as a function of bainite isothermal transformation (BIT) temperature and time in two low alloy TRIP steels. A single-specimen temperature-variable tension test technique (SS-TV-TT) has been employed, which allowed to link the appearance of yield points in the stress-strain curve with the mechanically-induced martensitic transformation of the retained austenite. The results indicated that the M^σ_S temperature varies with BIT temperature and time. Higher austenite stability is associated with a BIT temperature of 400°C rather than 375°C. In addition, the chemical stabilization of the retained austenite associated with carbon enrichment from the growing bainite is lowered at short BIT times. This stability drop is due to carbide precipitation and comes earlier in the Nb-containing steel. At longer BIT times the retained austenite dispersion becomes finer and its stability rises due to size stabilization. The experimental results are in good agreement with model predictions within the range of anticipated carbon enrichment of the retained austenite and measured austenite particle size.     

Structure and properties of a microduplex maraging steel

A simple two-step thermal processing technique was devised to impart a microduplex structure in a high strength 250 grade commercial maraging steel. A martensite grain size of approximately 1μm was obtained with interspersed islands of retained austenite whose volume fraction and mechanical stability could be controlled by varying the thermal processing conditions. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the microduplex structure were compared to those of the alloy in the maraged, martensitic condition. Due to the presence of the austenite phase, the microduplex structure showed a much smaller temperature and strain rate dependence of deformation than the martensitic structure. A remarkable increase in uniform elongation was observed below theM _d temperature of retained austenite. The microduplex structure did not show any significant advantage in fracture toughness over the martensitic structure when compared at similar strength levels. By suitably adjusting austenitic stability a deformation-induced phase transformation (TRIP) of the retained austenite in the microduplex structure could be made to occur; however, the transformation did not lead to any evident increase in toughness. The microduplex structure exhibited a slight improvement in fracture toughness at high strain rate in contrast to the martensitic structure in which the rate effect significantly reduced the toughness.     

Influence of the amount and morphology of retained austenite on the mechanical properties of an austempered ductile iron

High Si contents in nodular cast irons lead to a significant volume fraction of retained austenite in the material after the austempering treatment. In the present work, the influence of the amount and morphology of this phase on the mechanical properties (proof stress, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation, and toughness) has been analyzed for different austempering conditions. After 300 °C isothermal treatments at intermediate times, the austenite is plastically stable at room temperature and contributes, together with the bainitic ferrite, to the proof stress and the toughness of the material. For austenite volume fractions higher than 25 pct, the proof stress is controlled by this phase and the toughness depends mainly on the stability of γ. In these conditions (370 °C and 410 °C treatments), the present material exhibits a transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect, which leads to an improvement in ductility. It is shown that the strain level necessary to initiate the martensitic transformation induced by deformation depends on the carbon content of the austenite. The martensite formed under TRIP conditions can be of two different types: “autotempered” plate martensite, which forms at room temperature from an austenite with a quasi-coherent epsilon carbide precipitation, and lath martensite nucleated at twin boundaries and twin intersections.     

Influence of alloying elements on the kinetics of strain-induced martensitic nucleation in low-alloy, multiphase high-strength steels

Low-alloy multiphase transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) steels offer excellent mechanical properties in terms of elongation and strength. This results from the complex synergy between the different phases, i.e., ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite. The precise knowledge of the austenite-to-martensite transformation kinetics is required to understand the behavior of TRIP steels in a wide array of applications. The parameters determining the stability of the metastable austenite were reviewed and investigated experimentally, with special attention paid to the effect of the chemical composition, the temperature, and the size of the austenite particles. The results show that the stability and rate of transformation of the austenite particles in TRIP steels have a pronounced composition dependence: austenite particles transform at a faster rate in CMnSi TRIP steel than in TRIP steels in which Si is fully or partially replaced by Al and P. The results clearly support the view that (1) both a high C content and a submicron size are required for the room-temperature stability of the austenite particles and (2) the effect of the chemical composition on the transformation is due to its influence on the intrinsic stacking-fault energy. In addition, the composition dependence of the Md ₃₀ temperature was derived by regression analysis of experimental data. The influence of the size of the retained austenite particles on their Ms ^σ temperature was studied by means of a thermodynamic model. Both the analysis of the transformation-kinetics data and the microstructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy revealed the very limited role of autocatalysis in the transformation.     

Low‐alloy TRIP steels: a correlation between mechanical properties and the retained austenite stability

In recent years the technology of low‐alloy TRIP steels has considerably advanced. The mechanical properties are characterised by a combination of high yield strength and high uniform elongation as well as enhanced formability. In the present work an effort to correlate mechanical properties with the retained austenite stability was made. Two low‐alloy TRIP steels were investigated. The first of them represents a typical composition of the low‐alloy TRIP steels, while the other one contains aluminum as alloying element. The influence of the heat treatment on the mechanical properties and especially on the amount and stability of the retained austenite was determined. The retained austenite stability was measured with a single specimen technique, in which a tensile specimen was used to determine the M^σ_S temperature with a loading‐unloading procedure. The results showed that there is a strong influence of the stability of the retained austenite on the mechanical properties. Increased stability combined with a high amount of retained austenite, exhibited an increase in both, yield strength and uniform elongation while increased amount of retained austenite with low stability did not show the same good combination of mechanical properties. The results clearly indicate that in order to get the maximum TRIP effect, a good combination of austenite stability and amount is required.     

Structure and properties of a microduplex maraging steel

A simple two-step thermal processing technique was devised to impart a microduplex structure in a high strength 250 grade commercial maraging steel. A martensite grain size of approximately 1 μm was obtained with interspersed islands of retained austenite whose volume fraction and mechanical stability could be controlled by varying the thermal processing conditions. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the microduplex structure were compared to those of the alloy in the maraged, martensitic condition. Due to the presence of the austenite phase, the microduplex structure showed a much smaller temperature and strain rate dependence of deformation than the martensitic structure. A remarkable increase in uniform elongation was observed below theM _d temperature of retained austenite. The microduplex structure did not show any significant advantage in fracture toughness over the martensitic structure when compared at similar strength levels. By suitably adjusting austenitic stability a deformation-induced phase transformation (TRIP) of the retained austenite in the microduplex structure could be made to occur; however, the transformation did not lead to any evident increase in toughness. The micro-duplex structure exhibited a slight improvement in fracture toughness at high strain rate in contrast to the martensitic structure in which the rate effect significantly reduced the toughness.     

Resolving the Martensitic Transformation in Q&P Steels In-Situ at Dynamic Strain Rates Using Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

The dynamic deformation response of two quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels was investigated using a high strain rate tension pressure bar and in-situ synchrotron radiography and diffraction. This allowed for concurrent measurements of the martensitic transformation, the elastic strains/stresses on the martensite and ferrite, and the bulk mechanical behavior. The steel with the greater fraction of ferrite exhibited greater ductility and lower strength, suggesting that dislocation slip in ferrite enhanced the deformability. Meanwhile, the kinetics of the martensitic transformation appeared similar for both steels, although the steel with a greater ferrite fraction retained more austenite in the neck after fracture.

     

Mechanisms of tempered martensite embrittlement in low alloy steels

An investigation into the mechanisms of tempered martensite embrittlement (TME), also know as “500°F” or “350°C” or one-step temper embrittlement, has been made in commercial, ultra-high strength 4340 and Si-modified 4340 (300-M) alloy steels, with particular focus given to the role of interlath films of retained austenite. Studies were performed on the variation of i) strength and toughness, and ii) the morphology, volume fraction and thermal and mechanical stability of retained austenite, as a function of tempering temperature, following oil-quenching, isothermal holding, and continuous air cooling from the austenitizing temperature. TME was observed as a decrease in bothK _Ic and Charpy V-notch impact energy after tempering around 300°C in 4340 and 425°C in 300-M, where the mechanisms of fracture were either interlath cleavage or largely transgranular cleavage. The embrittlement was found to be concurrent with the interlath precipitation of cementite during temperingand the consequent mechanical instability of interlath films of retained austenite during subsequent loading. The role of silicon in 300-M was seen to retard these processes and hence retard TME to higher tempering temperatures than for 4340. The magnitude of the embrittlement was found to be significantly greater in microstructures containing increasing volume fractions of retained austenite. Specifically, in 300-M the decrease inK _Ic, due to TME, was a 5 MPa√m in oil quenched structures with less than 4 pct austenite, compared to a massive decrease of 70 MPa√m in slowly (air) cooled structures containing 25 pct austenite. A complete mechanism of tempered martensite embrittlement is proposed involving i) precipitation of interlath cementite due to partial thermal decomposition of interlath films of retained austenite, and ii) subsequent deformation-induced transformation on loading of remaining interlath austenite, destabilized by carbon depletion from carbide precipitation. The deterioration in toughness, associated with TME, is therefore ascribed to the embrittling effect of i) interlath cementite precipitates and ii) an interlath layer of mechanically-transformed austenite,i.e., untempered martensite. The presence of residual impurity elements in prior austenite grain boundaries, having segregated there during austenitization, may accentuate this process by providing an alternative weak path for fracture. The relative importance of these effects is discussed. Formerly with the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California.     

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.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In-Situ</Emphasis> Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Studies on Effects of Plastic and Elastic Loading on bcc Phase Transformations of a 3rd Generation 1 GPa Advanced High Strength Steel

In this paper, we describe the effects of mechanical loading on bcc-to-bcc phase transformations of an Advanced High Strength Steel during cooling. In-situ synchrotron diffraction was employed to measure time–temperature–load diffraction patterns. Calculations were made of the volume fractions of the phases, the transformation kinetics, and the austenite lattice parameter during cooling and simultaneous loading. In addition, volume fractions and lattice parameters of retained austenite at room temperature under different loading conditions were obtained. The results show that applying a load during cooling of the fcc phase significantly increases the volume fraction of a bcc phase before the start of the martensitic transformation. The kinetics of phase transformations were affected by the applied loads. The volume fraction and lattice parameter of retained austenite at room temperature vary in different samples and the highest retained austenite and the largest lattice parameter were obtained in the sample subjected to the highest load.     

两相区位错增殖对低碳贝氏体/铁素体复相钢组织和性能的影响

利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、电子探针(EPMA)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、室温拉伸等手段, 通过两相区保温-淬火(IQ)、两相区形变后保温-淬火(DIQ)、两相区保温-淬火-配分-贝氏体区等温(IQ&PB)及两相区形变后保温-淬火-配分-贝氏体区等温(DIQ&PB)热处理工艺, 研究高温形变对室温组织、性能、残余奥氏体稳定性的综合影响作用.结果表明, 经15%的压缩形变后铁素体中位错密度由0.290×1014增加至1.286×1014 m-2, 马氏体(原奥氏体)中C、Cu元素富集浓度提高, 高温形变产生位错增殖对元素配分有明显促进作用.DIQ&PB工艺下, 形变后贝氏体板条尺寸变短且宽度增加0.1 μm左右, 贝氏体转变量较未变形时增加14%, 多边形铁素体尺寸明显减小.力学性能方面, 两相区形变热处理后抗拉强度增加132.85 MPa, 断后伸长率增加7%, 强塑积可达25435 MPa·%.形变后残余奥氏体体积分数由7.8%提高到8.99%, 残余奥氏体中碳质量分数由1.05%提高到1.31%.      

Thermally Stable Ni-rich Austenite Formed Utilizing Multistep Intercritical Heat Treatment in a Low-Carbon 10 Wt Pct Ni Martensitic Steel

Austenite reversion and its thermal stability attained during the transformation is key to enhanced toughness and blast resistance in transformation-induced-plasticity martensitic steels. We demonstrate that the thermal stability of Ni-stabilized austenite and kinetics of the transformation can be controlled by forming Ni-rich regions in proximity of pre-existing (retained) austenite. Atom probe tomography (APT) in conjunction with thermodynamic and kinetic modeling elucidates the role of Ni-rich regions in enhancing growth kinetics of thermally stable austenite, formed utilizing a multistep intercritical (Quench-Lamellarization-Tempering (QLT)-type) heat treatment for a low-carbon 10 wt pct Ni steel. Direct evidence of austenite formation is provided by dilatometry, and the volume fraction is quantified by synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The results indicate the growth of nm-thick austenite layers during the second intercritical tempering treatment (T-step) at 863 K (590 °C), with austenite retained from first intercritical treatment (L-step) at 923 K (650 °C) acting as a nucleation template. For the first time, the thermal stability of austenite is quantified with respect to its compositional evolution during the multistep intercritical treatment of these steels. Austenite compositions measured by APT are used in combination with the thermodynamic and kinetic approach formulated by Ghosh and Olson to assess thermal stability and predict the martensite-start temperature. This approach is particularly useful as empirical relations cannot be extrapolated for the highly Ni-enriched austenite investigated in the present study.     

细晶强化和位错强化对中锰马氏体钢的强化作用

 研究了碳和锰含量对淬火中锰马氏体钢的位错密度、残余奥氏体含量、晶粒尺寸等组织结构以及室温力学性能的影响。借助于SEM、EBSD、TEM和XRD表征了材料的微观组织,探讨了马氏体钢的强化机制。结果表明:随着碳含量增加,淬火中锰钢的位错密度和残余奥氏体体积分数逐渐增加,板条束和板条块尺寸逐渐细化,大角晶界百分数逐渐增加,强度逐渐升高;增加锰含量能够提高马氏体钢的位错密度和抗拉强度。分析认为,位错强化和细晶强化是淬火中锰马氏体钢的主要强化机制。马氏体板条尺寸是马氏体抗拉强度的结构控制单元,而原奥氏体晶粒尺寸则是马氏体屈服强度的结构控制单元。     

Effect of molybdenum on the kinetics of phase transformation of undercooled austenite in high-speed steels under continuous cooling

The aim of these investigations was to determine the effect of the ratio % Mo to % W in the austenite of high-speed steels on the kinetics of its transformation under continuous cooling. The investigations were carried out on model alloys. Three CCT curves were drawn. Also the influence of cooling velocity on the volume fraction of retained austenite in high-speed steels was evaluated. It was determined that with the increase of the Mo content in the high-speed steel matrix the M_S temperature decreases and the fraction of retained austenite increases, the development of the bainite transformation decreases and the stability of austenite increases in the range of diffusion transformations. With an increased cooling rate, the volume fraction of retained austenite decreases at first and then it increases. These changes are caused by the precipitation of carbides from undercooled austenite and can give rise to the differences in the content of retained austenite on the cross-section of quenched tools.     

等温淬火温度对超细贝氏体钢组织及耐磨性的影响

设计了一种0.7C的低合金超细贝氏体钢,并通过膨胀仪、二体磨损实验、光学显微镜、扫描电镜、X射线衍射、激光扫描共聚焦显微镜及能谱仪,研究了不同等温淬火温度对超细贝氏体钢的贝氏体相变动力学、微观组织以及干滑动摩擦耐磨性的影响,揭示超细贝氏体钢在二体磨损条件下的耐磨性能和磨损机理.研究结果表明,不同等温温度下的超细贝氏体钢都由片层状贝氏体铁素体和薄膜状以及块状的残留奥氏体组成;随着等温温度的升高,超细贝氏体的相变速率提高,相变孕育期及相变完成时间缩短,但贝氏体铁素体板条厚度增加,残留奥氏体含量增加,硬度值有所降低;超细贝氏体钢磨损面形貌以平直的犁沟为主,主要的磨损机理为显微切削;不同等温温度下所获得的超细贝氏体的耐磨性能都优于回火马氏体,且随着等温温度的降低,耐磨性能提高.其中在250℃等温所获得的超细贝氏体钢具有最优的耐磨性能,其相对耐磨性为回火马氏体的1.28倍.这主要与超细贝氏体钢中贝氏体铁素体板条的细化及磨损过程中残留奥氏体的形变诱导马氏体相变（TRIP）效应有关.      

Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Processing of Martensitic Stainless Steels

Austenite was stabilized in the martensitic stainless steel grade AISI 420 by means of quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processing. The effects of quenching temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The specimens processed at low quench temperatures (regime I) had a microstructure consisting of tempered martensite and retained austenite. At high quench temperatures (regime II), fresh martensite was present too. The highest austenite fraction of about 0.35 was obtained at the quench temperature delineating regimes I and II. The amount of carbon in retained austenite increased as the quench temperature decreased. The carbon level of austenite was, however, much lower than the carbon concentrations expected from full partitioning assumption. This was mainly due to the extensive cementite formation in the partitioning step. Stabilization of austenite by Q&P processing was found not to be purely chemical. Austenite stabilization was also assisted by locking, because of local carbon enrichment, of potential martensite nucleation sites in the austenite/martensite boundaries and in austenite defects. The importance of the latter stabilization mechanism increased at higher martensite fractions. According to the tensile test results, the Q&P processed specimen with the highest austenite fraction was not associated with the best combination of strength and ductility. The mechanical stability of austenite was found to increase with its carbon concentration being the highest at the lowest quench temperature. The thermal stability, on the other hand, was almost inversely proportional to the retained austenite fraction, being low at intermediate quench temperatures where the retained austenite fraction was high.     

Effect of silicon on CGHAZ toughness and microstructure of microalloyed steels

The aim of this article is to present the beneficial effect of a reduction of silicon content on coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) toughness. This study was achieved with experi-mental and industrial E355 structural steels. These 0.09 wt pct C steels were Ti-microalloyed with silicon contents ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 wt pct. First, we demonstrate that the CGHAZ toughness is predominantly affected by the volume fraction of retained austenite (γr). Second, we show that the existence of retained austenite pertains only to its carbon enrichment. This enrichment is promoted essentially by an increase of the silicon level due to the retarding action of silicon on the formation of carbides in ferrite as well as in austenite. In the same way, the increase of silicon content slows down the decomposition of retained austenite into pearlite. The reduction of the silicon content of the steel greatly increases the ductility of the CGHAZ through the decrease of the volume fraction of retained austenite. Formerly Graduate Students, Physical Metallurgy Laboratory, University of Lille.     

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.     

Anisotropy of Retained Austenite Stability during Transformation to Martensite in a TRIP‐Assisted Steel

Retained austenite as a key constituent in final microstructure plays an important role in TRansformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels. The volume fraction, carbon concentration, size, and morphology of this phase are the well‐known parameters which effects on the rate of transformation of retained austenite to martensite and the properties of steel, are studied by many researchers. Of the transformation of retained austenite to martensite under strain in a TRIP steel is studied in this paper. The experimental results show that the transformation rate of retained, austenite with similar characteristics, to martensite in differently processed TRIP steel samples, exhibits an anisotropic behavior. This phenomenon implies a kind of variant selection of martensitic reaction of retained austenite under strain and is explained by ferrite texture developed in steel.