Rules of formation of the chemical composition of M23C6 multicomponent carbide in high-temperature steels

The method of phase physicochemical analysis is used to study martensite steels in the Fe−Cr−Ni−Co−Mo−W−V−C system. It is shown that the chemical compositions of two multicomponent phases, i.e., hardened martensite and (Cr, M)₂₃C₆ carbide segregated from it in high-temperature tempering are correlated where the concentrations of the elements Mo/W, V/W, and (Cr+V)/(Mo+W) are concerned. The discovered correlation is used for developing a method for calculating the chemical composition of a (Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, W, V)₂₃C₆ carbide with the help of the concentrations of the elements in the α-solid solution and the differences in the atomic radii. It is shown that the alloying elements in the carbide substitute for chromium in correspondence with the principle of dimension. It is inferred that the type of bonding in the chromium sublattice in the carbide is metallic. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 1, pp. 6–10, January, 2000.     

Operational stability of stamping tools of steel 50Kh2GSMF

In preceding work the authors developed and tested under industrial conditions hot-deformation die tools of the new steel 50Kh2GSMF and compared them with tools of steels 50KhGSMF and 50KhNM. A comparative analysis has shown that the operational stability of steels of the Cr−Mn−Mo−V−Si system is considerably higher than that of the Cr−Ni−Mo system. Steel 50Kh2GSMF possessed the highest stability. In the present work the operational stability of die inserts of the indicated steels and steels 50KhNV and 55NiCrMoV7 (50KhNMF) is compared. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 1, pp. 37–38, January, 1997.     

Inelasticity in isothermal martensite transformation

Conclusions  

Ti−V−Cr BCC alloys system with high protium content

This paper aims to study the relationship between the protium absorption properties and alloy composition of Ti−V−Cr alloys. We studied the effects of composition of the alloys and the heat-treatment on the protium absorption-desorption properties of Ti−V−Cr alloys, and found that Ti−35V−40Cr alloys show 2.6 mass% protium capacity. The plateau pressure of the alloys increased with decreasing lattice constants, resulting from increasing Cr content. The main phase of the samples containing more than 15%V was a BCC phase in the cast state. These BCC phase alloys exhibited 2.4 mass% protium. It was also found that the heat-treatment was effective in stabilizing a BCC structure in Ti−V−Cr alloys with low V content. The alloy yields the high capacity of 3.0 mass% protium capacity, which will be the highest value at 313 K reported so far. The alloy will be promising since it contains a low amount of the expensive V element. This article based on a presentation made in the symposium “The 2nd KIM-JIM Joint Symposium: Hydrogen Absorbing Materials”, held at Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea, October 27–28 under the auspices of The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials and The Japan Institute of Metals.     

Comparing Microstructures and Tensile Properties of Intercritically Annealed and Quenched-Tempered 1.7Ni–1.5Cu–0.5Mo–0.2C Powder Metallurgy Steels

The aim of this study was to compare the influence of intercritical quenching (IQ), step quenching (SQ) and quenching plus tempering (QT) heat treatments on the microstructure and tensile properties of 1.7Ni–1.5Cu–0.5Mo–0.2C pre-alloyed powder metallurgy (P/M) steels. In the microstructures of the IQ and SQ specimens partial martensite having Ni-rich phases formed up in the soft ferritic matrix. It was observed that unlike Mo, a Cu alloying element dissolved homogeneously in the specimens. The martensite volume fraction (MVF) in the SQ specimens was higher than that in the IQ specimens. It was found that macrohardness, yield and tensile strengths increased, whereas microhardness of ferrite and elongation decreased with increasing MVF. However, with this increase, microhardness values of martensite phases decreased in the IQ specimen, while they increased in SQ specimens. It was observed that the yield, tensile, and elongation values of the QT specimens were lower than those of all intercritically annealed specimens having the same hardness values.     

Effects of tungsten addition on tensile properties of a refractory Nb−18Si−10Ti−10Mo−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>W (<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>=0,5, 10 and 15 mol.%)<Emphasis Type="Italic">in-situ</Emphasis> Composites at 1670 K

To investigate the effect of tungsten addition on mechanical properties, we prepared refractory (62−x)Nb−18Si−10Mo−10Ti−xW (x=0, 5, 10 and 15 mol.%)in-situ composites by the conventional arc-casting technique, and then explored the microstructure, hardness and elastic modulus at ambient temperature and tensile properties at 1670 K. The microstructure consists of relatively fine (Nb, Mo, W, Ti)₅Si₃ silicide and a Nb solid solution matrix, and the fine eutectic microstructure becomes predominant at a Si content of around 18 mol.%. The hardness of (Nb, Mo, W, Ti)₅Si₃ silicide in a W-free sample is 1680 GPa, and goes up to 1980 GPa in a W 15 mol.% sample. The hardness, however, of Nb solid solution does not exhibit a remarkable difference when the nominal W content is increased. The elastic modulus shows a similar tendency to the hardness. The optimum tensile properties of the composites investigated are achieved at W 5 mol.% sample, which exhibits a relatively good ultimate strength of 230 MPa and an excellent balance of yield strength of 215 MPa, and an elongation of 3.7%. The SEM fractography generally indicates a ductile fracture in the W-free sample, and a cleavage rupture in W-impregnated ones.     

用于超高强度钢的淬火-碳分配-回火(沉淀)(Q-P-T)工艺

为进一步提高钢的强度,改造淬火-碳分配（Q—P）工艺,在超高强度钢的成分设计中加入碳化物形成元素Nb或（和）Mo,使在马氏体基体上析出碳化物,提出淬火-碳分配-回火（沉淀）（Q—P—T）工艺。将按设计超高强度钢大致成分的钢进行Q—P—T处理后,得钢的抗拉强度高达〉2000MPa,总断后伸长率〉10％。和迄今发展的各类含碳小于0．5％钢的综合力学性能相比,Q—P—T钢可能成为优异的超高强度钢。     

TWIP钢不同温度变形的力学性能变化规律及机理研究

通过控温拉伸实验分析了在298,373,473和673 K温度下变形时,TWIP钢(Fe-25Mn-3Si-3Al)力学性能和显微组织的变化规律.结果表明,TWIP钢的强度和延伸率均随温度的升高而降低.通过热力学公式对不同温度下TWIP钢层错能Γ的估算可以推断,温度T≥673 K时,Γ≥76 mJ/m2,滑移为TWIP钢主要的变形机制;298 K≤T≤373 K时,21 mJ/m2≤Γ≤34 mJ/m2,孪生为TWIP钢主要的变形方式,此时产生"TWIP"效应,可获得较高的加工硬化速率,从而获得高强度及高塑性.     

Enhanced mechanical properties of orthorhombic Ti<Subscript>2</Subscript>AlNb-based intermetallic alloy

Attempts were made to improve the mechanical properties of an orthorhombic Ti₂AlNb-based Ti−22Al−27Nb intermetallic alloy through microstructural and compositional modifications, and the dispersion of fine TiB particulates. A Ti−22Al−27Nb alloy with a prior B2 grain size ranging from 8 μm to 49 μm was successfully obtained using spherical α₂ particles as obstacles to grain growth. The finest grained material showed an excellent combination of room temperature tensile strength (around 1,000 MPa) and tensile ductility (more than 15%). Transition metal elements such as Mo, V and W for a portion of the Nb in the Ti−22Al−27Nb were substituted. The guideline for this compositional modification required that the beta phase stability in the modified alloy be equal to that of the Ti−22Al−27Nb. It was found that the substitution of 2% W for 7% Nb was quite effective in increasing tensile strength at temperatures above 923 K and reducing the steady state creep rate and primary creep strain. The Ti−22Al−27Nb alloy-based particulate composites reinforced with 6.5% TiB were successfully produced with the gas atomization P/M method. The dispersion of extremely small TiB was very uniform. Most of the mechanical properties of the composites, including the yield stress, tensile strength, Young's modulus, resistance to creep, and high cycle fatigue strength were greatly superior to those of the matrix alloy. This article is based on a presentation made in “The 16th Conference on Mechanical Behaviors of Materials” held at Oriental Hotel, Jeju, Korea. November 11, 2002, organized by The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials.     

An electrochemical study on the effect of pitting inhibition in weakly alkaline solution by copper addition in pure iron

The effects of copper on the corrosion rafe of steel have been investigated in order to propose the application of scraps as material of reinforcing steels in concrete structures. The corrosion behaviors of pure iron and several Fe−Cu alloys were examined by conducting potentio-dynamic and galvanostatic polarization in pH 10, 12.5 and 13.5 Ca(OH)₂ solutions added to several chloride concentrations. Values of the pitting potential (E _p) of pure iron were plotted at negative potential. In contrast to pure iron, theE _p values of Fe−Cu alloys showed much more positive values. The polarization curves in weakly alkaline solutions containing chloride ions indicated that the addition of copper up to 3 mass% significantly improved the corrosion resistance of steel.     

Tensile behavior of Al−4%Mg−0.4%Sc−0.5% misch metal alloy at room temperature

The effects of strain rate and pre-deformation in Al−4 wt.%Mg−0.4 wt.%Sc−0.5 wt.%Mm (misch metal) alloy on tensile behavior and P-L effect have been investigated. Pre-deformation of Al−4 wt.%Mg−0.4 wt.%Sc−0.5 wt.%Mm alloy clearly enhances the yield strength and ultimate strength, though it decreases the fracture strain. The yield strength of pre-deformed Al−4 wt.%Mg−0.4 wt.%Sc−0.5 wt.%Mm alloy is higher than that of commercially used Al−Mg based alloys. The strength of Al−4 wt.%Mg−0.5 wt.%Sc−0.5 wt.%Mm alloy was changed slightly at a strain rate between 2×10⁻⁵s⁻¹ and 2×10⁻³s⁻¹, but changed significantly when predeformation was introduced. Tensile test results of as-cast Al-4 wt.%Mg-0.4 wt.%Sc-0.5 wt.%Mm alloy show a significant oscillation of serration during deformation at room temperature, and the critical strain (ε _c ), which is the strain at the start of serration, decreases with increasing strain rate. Pre-deformation of Al−4wt%Mg−0.4wt%Sc−0.5wt%Mm also affects the serration oscillation: it decreases the critical strain at lower strain rate and increases it at higher strain rate (>2×10⁻⁴s⁻¹).     

Production and mechanical properties of aluminum alloys with dispersed nanoscale quasicrystalline and amorphous particles

By the dispersion of nanoscale quasicrystalline and amorphous particles in Al phase, new Al-based alloys with good mechanical properties were developed in a high Al concentration range of 93–95 at.% for Al−Cr−Ce−Co, Al−V−Fe, Al−Ti−M and Al−Fe−Cr−Ti alloy systems. The Vickers hardness of a melt-quenched (MQ) Al_84.6Cr_15.4 alloy with almost a single icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (QC) was 710. The addition of Ce and Co in the Al−Cr binary alloys was effective for the extension of the concentration range of the QC to a lower solute concentration range. The fracture strength (σ_f) increased to 1340 MPa for the MQ Al_94.5Cr₃Ce₁Co_1.5 alloy in which the particle size and volume fraction were approximately 40 nm and 70%, respectively. The σ_f of the MQ Al₉₄V₄Fe₂ alloy was 1390 MPa and the particle size and volume fraction were about 10 nm and 50%, respectively. Similarly, σ_f of the MQ Al₉₃Ti₄Fe₃ alloy was 1320 MPa and the particle size and volume fraction were about 11 nm and 30%, respectively. Power metallurgy (P/M) Al₉₃Fe₃Cr₂Fe₂ alloy with dispersed nanoscale QC exhibited ultimate tensile strength (σ_UTS) of 660 MPa, 0.2 % proof stress (σ_0.2) of 550 MPa, plastic elongation (ε_P) of 4.5%, Young's modulus (E) of 85 GPa, Vickers hardness (Hv) of 192 and specific strength (σ_UTS/ρ) of 2.20×10⁵ Nm/kg at room temperature and σ_UTS of 350 MPa, σ_0.2 of 330 MPa and ε_P of 1.5% at 573 K. The QC structure in the P/M Al₉₃Fe₃Cr₂Ti₂ alloy remained almost unchanged even after annealing for 720 ks at 573 K and good wear resistance against S50C steel was also maintained for the extruded alloy tested at sliding velocity of 0.5 to 2 m/sec. These mechanical properties are promising for the future extension of the new Al-based alloys to practical materials. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium “The 3rd KIM-JIM Joint Symposium on Advanced Powder Materials”, held at Korea University, Seoul, Korea, October 26–27, 2001 under auspices of The Korean Institute of Metals and Materials and The Japan Institute of Metals.     

Effects of the colony size on the fracture toughness of TiAl−Mo−B alloys

The effect of the colony size on the fracture toughness of Ti−46.5Al−1.5Mo−xB (x=0.1, 0.6, 1.0) alloys was investigated. The colony size was varied by a heat treatment in the alpha-single phase region and by directional solidification (DS). The colony size decreased as the boron content increased. Fracture toughness was measured at room temperature by a three-point bend test. The heat-treated Ti−46.5Al−1.5Mo−0.1B alloy, which had a colony size of ∼350 μm, showed the best fracture toughness, and the fracture toughness decreased rapidly as the boron content increased. The fracture toughness of the DS ingots was similar with different compositions and was lower than that for the heart-treated Ti−46.5Al−1.5Mo−0.1B alloy. This study confirms that the colony size plays a major role in determining the fracture toughness of TiAl alloys with a lamellar microstructure.     

New martensitic steels for fossil power plant: Creep resistance

In this paper, we consider the origin of high-temperature strength of heat-resistant steels belonging to martensitic class developed on the basis of the Fe—9%Cr alloy for the boiler pipes and steam pipelines of power plants at steam temperatures of up to 620°C and pressures to 300 atm. In addition, we give a brief information on the physical processes that determine the creep strength and consider the alloying philosophy of traditional heat-resistant steels. The effect of the chemical and phase composition of heat-resistant steels and their structure on creep strength is analyzed in detail. It is shown that the combination of the solid-solution alloying by elements such as W and Mo, as well as the introduction of carbides of the MX type into the matrix with the formation of a dislocation structure of tempered martensite, ensures a significant increase in creep resistance. The steels of the martensitic class withstand creep until an extensive polygonization starts in the dislocation structure of the tempered martensite(“troostomartensite”), which is suppressed by V(C,N) and Nb(C,N) dispersoids. Correspondingly, the service life of these steels is determined by the time during which the dispersed nanocarbonitrides withstand coalescence, while tungsten and molybdenum remain in the solid solution. The precipitation of the Laves phases Fe₂(W,Mo) and the coalescence of carbides lead to the development of migration of low-angle boundaries, and the steel loses its ability to resist creep.     

The Effect of Dynamic Strain Aging on Subsequent Mechanical Properties of Dual-Phase Steels

Dual-phase (DP) steels with different martensite contents were produced by subjecting a low carbon steel to various heat treatment cycles. In order to investigate the effect of dynamic strain aging (DSA) on mechanical properties, tensile specimens were deformed 3% at 300 °C. Room temperature tensile tests of specimens which deformed at 300 °C showed that both yield and ultimate tensile strengths increased, while total elongation decreased. The fatigue limit increased after pre-strain in the DSA temperature range. The effects of martensite volume fraction on mechanical properties were discussed.     

Combined Effect of Co and W on Deformation Resistance of 12Cr Heat-Resistant Steel for USC Steam Turbines

12Cr heat-resistant steels with different concentrations of Co and W, with Mo equivalent (Mo + 1/2W) fixed at 1.6 wt.%, were prepared by arc-melting and hot rolling processes. Mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile tests conducted at a low strain rate 2 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹ at 575, 600, and 625 °C. Microstructure of the steels was investigated via optical microscopy (OM) and electron transmission microscopy (TEM). The results show that when the content of W is fixed, the steel with 3.1 wt.% Co and the steel with 3.8 wt.% Co are found to obtain the best deformation resistance values at 575, 600, and at 625 °C; when the Co content is fixed, the steel with 1.5 wt.% W shows better performance. The highest ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield stress (YS) were achieved for the steel when its W content is at 1.5 wt.% and Co content is at 3.1 wt.% or 3.8 wt.%. Deformation resistance is related to the initial dislocation density in the steels, which increases with increasing Co content and decreases with increasing W content. It is verified that the deformation mechanism of the tested steels during high-temperature tensile tests at a low strain rate is that of the recovery-controlled dislocation creep. Furthermore, the thermodynamic calculation result is in agreement with the experimental result, demonstrating that 0.85Mo-1.5W-3.8Co steel has the best deformation resistance at 625 °C. Therefore, 0.85Mo-1.5W-3.1Co steel is recommended as a potential candidate material for 600 °C class steam turbines, and 0.85Mo-1.5W-3.8Co steel is also a potential material for 625 °C class Ultra supercritical (USC) steam turbines.     

High-rate tensile properties of Si-reduced TRIP sheet steels

There have been efforts to develop Si-reduced TRIP steels to improve the wettability of Zn coatings, since the conventional CMnSi-TRIP steels suffer from poor galvanizability. In addition, for the development of potential applications of Si-reduced TRIP steels in vehicle crash management, a better understanding of high strain rate properties is required. In the present study, the effects of alloying elements, such as Cu, Al, Si, and P, on the high-rate tensile properties of Si-reduced TRIP sheet steels were investigated. Tensile tests were performed with a servo-hydraulic tensile testing machine at strain rates ranging from 10⁻² to 6 × 10² s⁻¹, and the ultimate tensile strength, elongation, strain rate sensitivity, and absorbed energy were evaluated. The retained austenite volume fractions and carbon content of the specimens were measured using neutron diffraction. The UTS was increased with Cu, Al, Si, and P alloying throughout the strain rate range, and the alloying effect on UTS was considerable with Cu and P. The effects of alloying on the microstructure were not significant. All the steels tested in this study exhibited positive strain rate sensitivity, and the m value at strain rates higher than 10 s⁻¹ was at least two times higher than that at lower strain rates.     

Cold-Spray processing of a nanocrystalline Al−Cu−Mg−Fe−Ni alloy with Sc

This work describes recent progress in cold-spray processing of conventional and nanocrystalline 2618 (Al−Cu−Mg−Fe−Ni) aluminum alloy containing scandium (Sc). As-atomized and cryomilled 2618+Sc aluminum powder were sprayed onto aluminum substrates. The mechanical behavior of the powders and the coatings were studied using micro-and nanoindentation techniques, and the microstructure was analyzed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The influence of powder microstructure, morphology, and behavior during deposition on the coating properties was analyzed. This work shows that Al−Cu−Mg−Fe−Ni−Sc coatings with a nanocrystalline grain structure can be successfully produced by the cold-spray process. Inspection of the scientific literature suggests that this is the first time a hardness value of 181 HV has been reported for this specific alloy. The original version of this paper was published in the CD ROM Thermal Spray Connects: Explore Its Surfacing Potential, International Thermal Spray Conference, sponsored by DVS, ASM International, and IIW International Institute of Welding, Basel, Switzerland, May 2–4, 2005, DVS-Verlag GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany.     

硅含量与淬火温度对Q&P钢组织及性能的影响

采用盐浴对两种硅含量不同的试验钢进行了淬火配分处理,并用金相显微镜、扫描电镜与拉伸试验机对不同淬火温度下试验钢组织及性能的转变规律展开了研究。结果表明,试验钢的显微组织由铁素体、马氏体、残留奥氏体与贝氏体组成;硅含量增加,有利于试验钢中残留奥氏体体积分数提高,抗拉强度和屈服强度显著提高,伸长率降低,强度随淬火温度变化的幅度减小;经260 ℃淬火、360 ℃配分后,2.13%(质量分数)Si钢在拥有高强度的同时保持了较好的伸长率,其抗拉强度为958.66 MPa,屈服强度为458.99 MPa,伸长率为15.35%,强塑积为14.66 GPa·%,综合力学性能最佳。     

Vacuum plasma spraying: A new concept for manufacturing Ti-6Al-4V structures

In this study, near-net-shape formed Ti-6Al-4V alloy was manufactured by vacuum plasma spraying. The microstructure and room-temperature mechanical properties of the as-sprayed and heat-treated specimens were investigated. The sprayed structure consisted of individual lamellae (splats) along with splat boundaries and pores. Phase composition was found to be mainly martensite with less than 10% retained β-Ti. Although the tensile strength of the assprayed structure was close to that of conventionally manufactured material, elongation was as low as 1%. The failure mechanism responsible for the low level of elongation was investigated. To improve the elongation, three heat-treatment cycles were optimized for Ti-6Al-4V near-net-shape formed structures. The elongation and Young's modulus of the structures were successfully improved by all heat-treatment schedules.