Papers by Author: Long Fei Li

Abstract: The character of microstructure in the segregation of 82B wire with two different stelmor control cooling procedures and kinetics of eutectoid transformation of segregation through thermal simulation in the range of 400-600°C were researched. The longitudinal section segregation microstructure and composition were analyzed by OMSEMWDS. The thermal simulation results show that the length of martensite segregation bands is decreased holding 10-40s above 500°C, and martensite band in the core of wire where the content of Mn and Cr elements is higher than matrix because of segregation. Furthermore, Stelmor control cooling experiments in the high speed wire mill confirms that there is a critical temperature500°C to 82B wire above which the eutectoid transformation in the segregation is possible, and enough time above the critical temperature in the Stelmor control cooling lids is the key to optimizing procedure.

Abstract: Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of ferrite in a low carbon steel with the (α+θ) duplex microstructures was investigated using hot compression tests in combination with SEM, TEM and EBSD, and the effect of the size of cementite particles was analyzed. The results indicated that during hot deformation of the low carbon steel DRX of ferrite took place and the increase in the average size of cementite particles was of benefit to DRX. The formation of DRX grains was attributed to particle stimulated nucleation (PSN), by the well development of the subgrain near cementite particles. At the beginning of hot deformation, DRX grains were mainly formed near cementite particles with the size of about 1μm or above. With the increase in the strain, such grains were also formed around pairs or groups of particles with the size of 0.5μm to 1μm.

Abstract: Different temperature rises during finishing rolling of T8 cord steel were obtained through normal procedure (process 1) and controlled cooling procedure (process 2), and its effects on the microstructure and the mechanical properties were studied. The microstructure of T8 cord steel obtained by process 1 consisted of clusters of coarser and inhomogeneity sorbite colonies, and that obtained by process 2 consisted of equiaxed and finer sorbite colonies, with the similar interlamellar spaces of sorbite cementite in the two microstructures. The results of tensile tests showed that the tensile strength of T8 cord steel obtained by process 2 was higher than that obtained by process1 by 20MPa, with higher reduction of area and tensile elongation. In addition, the tensile fracture of T8 cord steel obtained by process 1 consisted of a lot of lotus cleavage plane, while that of T8 cord steel obtained by process 2 mainly consisted of finer dimples. That indicated that the smaller temperature rise of process 2 during finishing rolling can improve the mechanical properties of T8 cord steel.

Abstract: Mechanical properties of a medium-carbon steel with the ultrafine (α+θ) microstructures obtained by hot deformation of undercooled austenite and annealing were investigated by tensile tests, in comparison with that of a eutectoid steel. The results indicated that in the case of hot deformation of undercooled austenite to strain of 1.61 at 650°C at 0.01s-1 and annealing at 650°C for 30min, the ultrafine (α+θ) microstructures consisting of ultrafine ferrite grains and dispersed cementite particles were similar in the medium-carbon steel and the eutectoid steel, but the mechanical properties of the eutectoid steel were better that maybe be attributed to the relatively coarser size and the higher amount of cementite particles. With the increase of temperature for hot deformation of undercooled austenite to 700°C, the ultrafine (α+θ) microstructure of the medium-carbon steel changed obviously with the presence of some spheroidized pearlite colonies, and demonstrated the best balance of strength and elongation, the yield strength of about 545MPa, the tensile strength of about 635MPa, and the total elongation of about 35%.

Abstract: A novel thermomechanical process to manufacture hot-rolled transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels was developed based on dynamic transformation of undercooled austenite (DTUA). Between DTUA and the isothermal bainitic treatment, only one-step controlled-cooling was required. The microstructure evolution of hot-rolled C-Mn-Si and C-Mn-Al-Si TRIP steels based on DTUA was investigated by hot uniaxial compression tests using a Gleeble1500 simulation test machine. The results indicated that during DTUA, the kinetics of ferrite formation was fast, the volume fraction of ferrite formed was determined by applied strain. In comparison with the process based on static transformation of austenite, a more uniform multiphase microstructure with fine ferrite grains was formed, the bainite packets were small and had relatively random orientations, the retained austenite distributed uniformly and had relatively high volume fraction. Hot-rolled TRIP steels based on DTUA demonstrated better mechanical properties, especially for C-Mn-Al-Si TRIP steel.

Abstract: Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of hypereutectoid steel with the microduplex (α+θ) structures formed by hot deformation of undercooled austenite were investigated by hot uniaxial compression tests in a Gleeble-1500 simulation test machine, and the effects of subsequent annealing and the addition of Al were analyzed. The results indicated that at the beginning of hot deformation of undercooled austenite the formation of proeutectoid cementite was retrained and only lamellar pearlite was produced. With further strain, dynamic spheroidization of pearlite took place, leading to the formation of microduplex (α+θ) structure consisting of ultrafine ferrite matrix and dispersed cementite particles. In comparison with the normal microstructure consisting of lamellar pearlite and proeutectoid cementite, the microduplex (α+θ) structure presented higher strengths with similar ductility. Subsequent annealing could make the microduplex (α+θ) structure more uniform, which demonstrated better balance between strength and ductility. The addition of Al is disadvantageous to the formation of microduplex (α+θ) structure, but can result in the further refinement. With the addition of Al, the strength of microduplex (α+θ) structure was improved and the ductility was not deteriorated markedly.

Abstract: Dynamic recrystallization(DRX) of ferrite in low carbon steels was investigated by hot compression tests at temperatures of 550 to 700oC at strain rates of 0.001 to 10s-1. The results indicate that DRX of ferrite can occur in low carbon steels and lead to grain refinement. With increasing Zener-Hollomon parameter Z, its mechanism changes from discontinuous dynamic recrystallization to continuous dynamic recrystallization, the turning point is approximately at Z=1×1016s-1 for a low carbon steel with 0.171wt% C. The results also indicate that changing the minor constituents of the low carbon steel from pearlite colonies to fine cementite particles has an effect on promoting DRX of ferrite, and the increase of Mn content and the presence of tiny Nb precipitates have opposite effects respectively. However, all these changes are of benefit to the refinement of recrystallized grains.

Abstract: The hot deformation behavior of a low carbon Nb-microalloyed steel is investigated by hot compression test in the ferrite phase region compared with a low carbon steel with similar compositions, and the effect of Nb on dynamic recrystallization of ferrite is analyzed. Results indicate that during hot deformation in the ferrite phase region, the effect of Nb solely depends on the size of NbC precipitates. Tiny particles which average size is about 7.5nm have a retarding effect on dynamic recrystallization process of ferrite, on the contrary, coarser particles which average size is about 30.6nm have a promoting effect and are of benefit to the refinement of recrystallized grains.