Papers by Author: L. Pentti Karjalainen

Abstract: Based on the recent concept of quenching and partitioning (Q&P), a novel TMR-DQP (thermomechanical rolling followed by direct quenching and partitioning) processing route has been established for the development of ultra-high strength structural steels with yield strengths ≈1100 MPa combined with good uniform and total elongations and impact toughness. Suitable compositions were designed based on high silicon and/or aluminium contents with or without small additions of Nb, Mo or Ni. The DQP parameters were established with the aid of physical simulation on a Gleeble simulator. Finally, the TMR-DQP processing route was designed for trials on a laboratory rolling mill. Metallographic studies showed that the desired martensite-austenite microstructures were achieved thus providing the targeted mechanical properties. The advantage of strained austenite in refining the martensite packets/blocks was clearly evident. No adverse effect of prolonged partitioning simulating the coiling stage has been noticed suggesting new possibilities for strip and plate products. Promising results in respect of microstructures and mechanical properties indicate that there are possibilities for developing tough ductile structural steels through the TMR-DQP route.

Abstract: High-chromium ferritic stainless steels have been developed for applications such as exhaust systems that require good formability. To improve formability, continuous yielding is preferred. However, in high-chromium ferritic stainless steels an upper yield point is often present as a result of free interstitials and Cottrell atmospheres. The upper yield point can be removed by temper rolling but it would be better to avoid it via a suitable heat treatment. This paper describes how this can be done in the case of a ferritic stainless steel containing 0.011%C, 0.012%N, 18%Cr, 2,1%Mo, 0.33%Nb, 0.15Ti%. Despite the presence of Nb and Ti, which should bind the free carbon and nitrogen as carbides and nitrides, an upper yield point was still observed. Previously it has been suspected that this is due to an intermetallic Laves phase present in this steel depleting the Nb in the matrix so that some carbon remains free. A series of short-term annealing experiments showed that the upper yield point diminishes, when the annealing temperature increases above 550 °C, finally disappearing after a heat treatment at 750 °C. On the basis of Thermo-Calc calculations and EDS analyses, free interstitials in the matrix could be related to depletion of MX or insufficient time to reach the equilibrium state.

Abstract: The fatigue cracking mechanisms of two high Mn TWinning-Induced Plasticity (TWIP) steels are investigated in detail using electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Furthermore, the fracture surfaces of the fatigued steels have been studied by employing a field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM). The fine details of the fatigued surface topography are verified using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The results indicate that the fatigue crack embryos nucleate at an early stage of the fatigue life as a result of local straining at grain and annealing twin boundaries at sites, where persistent slip bands create dislocation piled-ups that impinge on boundaries. The EBSD measurements showed that unlike in monotonic straining, the formation of deformation twins is not observed under cyclic straining.

Abstract: The influences of the heating rate and annealing duration on martensite formation and its reversion to austenite have been investigated in a 60% cold-rolled metastable high-manganese austenitic Type 204Cu stainless steel. A Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator was used for dilatometric measurements. Cold-rolled steel pieces were either heated up to 1000 °C at various heating rates between 5 °C/s and 150 °C/s followed by quenching to room temperature, or heated and held at temperatures in the range of 450 620 °C for different durations between 0.1 600 s. In heating experiments, dilatation curves revealed an expansion of a specimen starting around 550 °C followed by contraction, both processes depending on the heating rate. These dimensional changes could be correlated to the formation and reversion of a ferromagnetic phase, α-martensite. Some martensite was also formed during isothermal holding in connection with tempering of the pre-existing α-martensite before the following reversion, as established by magnetic measurements. Tempering of martensite was revealed by microhardness behaviour, X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy.

Abstract: In this study, the constitutive flow behavior and static recrystallization characteristics of a Nb-microalloyed TWIP (Fe-20Mn-1.5Al-0.1Nb) steel under hot deformation conditions have been determined and results compared with those of Fe-25Mn-Al TWIP steels. Investigations using compression testing in a Gleeble simulator, including the double-hit technique, enabled the acquisition of flow stress and recrystallization data. These were analyzed to determine the powers of strain and strain rate as well as the activation energies of deformation and recrystallization (Qdef and Qrex). For given deformation and grain size parameters, the time for 50% recrystallization (t50) of the 0.1% Nb TWIP steel was significantly longer than for the Nb-free TWIP steel: it was comparable to that of Nb-microalloyed carbon steel. Qrex was higher than that of Type 304 stainless steel that has nevertheless much longer t50 times.

Abstract: The annealing behavior of cold rolled Type 430 ferritic stainless steel is the subject of this paper. The steel was cold rolled 79%, then heated at 6 °C/s to the soaking temperature of 841 °C, which is just below the Ae₁ temperature. During heating, specimens were quenched from selected temperatures between 650 and 841 °C and after various times at 841 °C. These quenched samples underwent metallographic examination and micro-hardness determination. The results indicated that under the prevailing experimental conditions, the hardness appeared to correlate strongly with the extent of recrystallization. The kinetics of recrystallization appeared to originate in the cold worked state, where three kinds of grain were found: (i) smooth elongated, featureless of α-fiber orientation {001}<100>; (ii) irregular fishbone grains of the γ-fiber orientations {111}<112> plus {111}<110>; and (iii) twisted grains of the η-fiber orientation {001}<100>. It was found that the twisted grains of the η-fiber were the first to recrystallize, with the fishbone grains of the γ-fiber second, and the smooth elongated, featureless grains of the α-fiber last. It was found that the grains of the α-fiber orientation {001}<100> and the η-fiber orientation {001}<100> were replaced with grains of the γ-fiber orientations as recrystallization progressed. These results are discussed in terms of recrystallization and texture development.

Abstract: In recent past, a linear regression model to predict the activation energy (Qrex) and kinetics of static recrystallisation for hot-deformed austenite was developed based on stress relaxation test results of over 40 different carbon steels. The model is able to predict satisfactorily the static recrystallisation (SRX) kinetics of common carbon steel grades (including microalloyed steels) and also several special steel grades. In this study, the main effects of seven alloying elements, viz., C, Mn, Cr, Ni, Mo, Nb and V, on the activation energy of recrystallisation were further examined by using eight experimental steels based on an orthogonal Taguchi L8 matrix. All steels contained constant additions of B, Ti and Si. Even though originally intended for studies on phase transformation characteristics and hardenability under direct quenching conditions, the L8 matrix steels were suitably employed for further validation of the SRX regression model. In addition, the SRX characteristics and kinetics of a set of new steel compositions including C-Mn, C-Mn-Nb and C-Mn-Nb-Ti types were examined in the light of model equations, which further confirm the suitability of the regression model.

Abstract: An experimental steel containing in weight % 0.2C-2.0Mn-1.5Si-0.6Cr has been laboratory hot rolled, direct quenched into the M_s - M_f range and partitioning annealed in order to explore new possibilities for making 1100 MPa yield strength structural steels with better combinations of strength, ductility and impact toughness. Two austenite states prior to quenching were investigated: recrystallized and strained. Gleeble simulations were used to determine appropriate cooling rates and cooling stop temperatures for obtaining martensite fractions in the range 70-90%. Desired martensite - austenite microstructures were achieved, and ductility and impact toughness were better than those obtained via the simple direct quenching of a lower carbon steel in the same strength class.

Abstract: In this study the precipitation of silicon in Type 441 steel (18%Cr-0.4%Nb-0.5%Si) was investigated and its influence on strength properties were determined. To simulate high-temperature service conditions, heat treatments with various ageing times up to 120 hours and temperatures up to 800 °C were performed. Following the aging treatments, micro-and macro-hardness and tensile properties were measured. Microstructure and precipitation were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Predictions for equilibrium pericipitation were calculated using the Factsage software. According to observations, coarse titanium nitrides (TiN) and niobium carbides (NbC, Fe₃Nb₃C) were present in all specimens including non-aged ones. These precipitates did not coarsen during ageing, which implies that their growth already occurred in the sheet production process. However, silicon started to precipitate in the course of prolonged annealing. Si contributed to the formation of a secondary phase resembling the Laves-phase (FeNbSi) on grain boundaries. Hardness and yield strength were found to decrease with prolonged ageing at high temperatures. Factors affecting the silicon precipitation are discussed.

Abstract: The yield strength in austenitic stainless steels can be improved by cold rolling. Recently, it has been realized that a considerable further increase can be achieved through static strain ageing (SSA). The effect of SSA in four austenitic stainless steel grades was studied. The test materials were formerly cold rolled to three different reductions of 15%, 30% and 40%. Subsequently, the steels were aged at temperature range between 160 and 400 °C with ageing times from 15 to 15000 seconds. Owing to SSA, increments over 200 MPa in yield strength were observed, while elongation decreased only slightly or even improved by 1 to 2%-units. The influence of ´-martensite on the strength increase was apparent. The maximum strength increase with relatively small drop of elongation was achieved in the steels cold rolled to 30% reduction while approximately 50% of ´- martensite was formed. However, a small increase in the yield strength was detected even in steels cold rolled to 15% reduction and containing 0 to 2% of ´-martensite only. Therefore, SSA seems also to take place in the austenite phase. To clarify the reason for improvement of the ductility in the instance of strengthening, work hardening rates were determined and found to differ considerably between aged and non-aged structures. The activation energy of the SSA process determined was found to be almost equal to the activation energy of carbon and nitrogen diffusion in the austenite phase. A mechanism resembling the Suzuki effect was suggested as the main mechanism of the SSA process.