Optimizing the Vacuum Heat-Treatment of Hot-Work Tool Steels by Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics

Linear elastic fracture mechanics was used to optimize the vacuum heat-treatment procedures for conventional hot-work AISI H11 tool steel. The fracture toughness was determined with non-standard, circumferentially notched and fatigue-precracked tensile-test specimens. The fracture-testing method is sensitive to changes caused by variations in the microstructure resulting from the austenitizing and tempering temperatures as well as the homogeneity of the material itself. The combined tempering diagram- Rockwell-C hardness, Fracture toughness K_Ic, Tempering temperature was used for the choice of the vacuum heat-treatment parameters necessary to obtain the best properties for a given application with respect to the investigated steel.     

Microstructural transformations of heat affected zones in duplex steel welded joints

The influence of the welding thermal conditions exemplified by heat input and heat treatment after welding on the structure of the heat affected zone (HAZ) UNS S31803 has been analysed. The post weld treatment was used to create the precisely defined thermal conditions for the decomposition of primary phases in the HAZ, by a multi-layer welding thermal cycle stimulation. Detailed analyses of the microstructure and chemical composition of the phases in the different post welded conditions were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Three types of secondary precipitates have been observed: secondary austenite (γ₂), carbides: M₂₃C₆ and M₇C₃. The dependence of the secondary austenite volume fraction and morphology in the HAZ on thermal cycle have been interpreted. The eutectoid decomposition of the primary phases in the analysed thermal conditions was confirmed.     

复合射孔枪枪身材料动态本构关系的试验研究

为确定复合射孔枪枪身材料32CrMo4钢在井下高温、高加载率工作环境下的动态性能,利用MTS试验机和分离式Hopkinson冲击压杆装置做了应变率为0.001、1000和3000/s,温度为294、373、473和573K的单轴动态压缩试验,得到32CrMo4钢各组温度及应变率下的流动应力-应变曲线。拟合得到该钢Johnson-Cook本构关系模型所需的5个参数,模型拟合曲线与试验曲线吻合。     

Influence of fretting on the fatigue strength at the vise clamp-specimen interface

Fretting fatigue is one of the most important phenomena for inducing a significant reduction of fatigue strength and consequently, leading to unexpected failure accidents of the engineering structures even at very low stresses. In the present study, both plain and fretting fatigue tests with zero mean stress were carried out on two different types of steel, low-carbon steel and martensitic stainless steel, by means of a reversed bending fatigue testing machine. The drop in the fatigue strengths through fretting at vise clamp-specimen interface were significant for both tested steels. The fretting processes produced a reduction in fatigue strength of about 27% for low-carbon steel and 16% for martensitic stainless steel.     

高强度钢的Zn—Ti合金新镀层

本文研究了一种Ｚｎ－Ｔｉ合金新镀层，经盐水浸泡、中性盐雾和大气暴露试验结果试验，其耐蚀明显超过镀Ｚｎ层，并与镀Ｃｄ层相近，用缺口持久拉伸试验检验氢脆性，拉伸持续时间超过２００ｈ，达到原航空部部颁标准（ＨＢ５０６７－８５），该镀层适用于高强度钢防护。     

A3钢的工业大气腐蚀

在辽宁省工业城市进行 A3钢大气暴露试验。两年后测出不同地点腐蚀率。依据所记录的各试验点的气象数据和污染数据,讨论了 A3钢的大气腐蚀规律。     

Effects of the cryogenic cooling on the fatigue strength of the AISI 304 stainless steel ground components

For environmental considerations, the substitution of the conventionally used oil-based grinding fluids has nowadays become strongly recommended. Although several alternatives have been proposed, cryogenic cooling by liquid nitrogen is the non-polluting coolant that has been given relatively more attention because of its very low temperature. In this investigation, in order to contribute to developing this promising cooling mode, its beneficial effects on the ground surface integrity of the AISI 304 stainless steel and their consequences on the fatigue lifetime are explored. Results of this investigation show that grinding under cryogenic cooling mode generates surfaces with lower roughness, less defects, higher work hardening and less tensile residual stresses than those obtained on surfaces ground under oil-based grinding fluid. These surface enhancements result into substantial improvements in the fatigue behaviour of components ground under this cooling mode. An increasing rate of almost 15% of the endurance limit at 2 × 10⁶ cycles could be realized. SEM analyses of the fatigue fracture surfaces have shown that the fatigue cracks observed on the specimens ground under cryogenic cooling are shorter (i.e., 30-50 μm) than those generated under oil-based cooling mode (i.e., 150-200 μm). The realized improvements in the surface integrity and in the fatigue behaviour are thought to be related to the reduction of the grinding zone temperature observed under cryogenic cooling, as no significant differences between the grinding force components for both cooling modes have been observed.     

Failure analysis of three reconditioned rail car couplers

Three reconditioned rail car couplers, arbitrarily identified as couplers, failed during service due to cracking of the front face. The three couplers were reportedly upgraded by quenching and tempering to enhance strength and toughness. The objective of this investigation was to determine the mode of crack propagation and the root cause of the observed failures. Verl E. (Bud) Kahle, P.E., was a professional failure analyst for more than forty years. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in physical metallurgy from Washington State University 1957, Bud was employed by the General Electric Company at a facility in Hanford, Washington. He later was employed by the Aerojet General Corporation and eventually was head of the Southern Pacific Materials Science Laboratory in Sacramento. After retirement from Southern Pacific he owned and operated his own firm, Kahle Metallurgical Consulting Services, for fifteen years. He came to be known as “the man with the answers” to clients in a variety of industries. Bud was a Life Member of ASM International. Many of Bud’s clients remarked on the high quality of his failure analysis case histories and encouraged him to have them published. After Bud passed away in 1999, his wife, Suzanne, approached ASM International to see if the society would be interested in publishing any of his work. Mrs. Kahle was able to supply a large number of reports, which Bud had carefully archived over the years. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention Associate Editor Michael Stevenson read through the collected case histories, selected the ones to be included in this issue, and edited them for journal publication. ASM International wishes to thank Mrs. Kahle for providing these case histories for publication.     

SA299钢冷脆行为的研究

某锅炉厂生产的锅炉汽包,在冬季制造过程中发生破裂,汽包材料为 SA299钢,对断口的初步分析发现为脆性解理断口,据此认为是冷脆破坏。本文依据冷脆特征温度 Tc 的概念对 SA299钢的冷脆行为进行了细致的分析。     

Simulation of the Forming Behaviour of a Boron Modified P91 Ferritic Steel

The forming behaviour at high temperature of a modified 9%Cr‐1%Mo (P91) ferritic steel containing B and Ti for elevated temperature service was investigated. The microstructure of the as‐received material is mainly martensite at room temperature, but special etching revealed prior austenite grains of about 25 μm in size. Torsion tests were conducted at temperatures in the range 850 to 1250 °C to simulate the hot rolling process under comparable conditions of temperature, strain rate and strain. The deformation data obtained from these tests were correlated with the Garofalo equation with a stress exponent of 4.6 and an activation energy of 315 kJ/mol. This equation was used to predict the formability behaviour for the rolling process and also to determine the maximum forming efficiency and stability of the steel. A temperature of 1200 °C is recommended to conduct the forming process.