Papers by Author: Vera Prokoshkina

Abstract: Mechanical behavior of structural nitrogen-containing steels with various structures and compositions, including the same steels with different summary C+N content and C/N ratio were studied using pressing tests in a wide temperature range, tensile tests, impact bending tests, hardness measurements and shock-wave loading resistance. The tempering and aging under load processes after quenching or thermomechanical treatment with various regimes have been investigated using optical and electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction analysis, calorimetric and dilatometric analyses. Hot strain resistance of the austenite is determined essentially by the steel composition, while the final structure and mechanical properties of hot-deformed austenite are determine mainly by hot deformation conditions. The higher the nitrogen content and C/N ratio, the higher hot strain resistance was and earlier the softening processes start, especially recrystallization process. The nitrogen microalloying of low-alloyed structural steels changes kinetics of the martensite tempering. Application of the high temperature thermomechanical treatment or combined thermomechanical strengthening with following tempering under load allows the use of these steels in a high-strength state after low-temperature tempering.

Abstract: The new high-strength stainless steels alloyed by copper and nitrogen and possessing high resistance to corrosion by active micro-organisms in carbon-oxidizing, heterotrophic and sulfate-regenerating bacteria mediums are developed. The introducing of small addition of nitrogen (about 0.22 %) to the corrosion resistant steel С0.5Cr15Ni5Cu2NMoNbTi results in a decrease of adhesive micro-organisms quantity on a sample surface by 8 times, while increasing of nickel content to 9 % results in their decrease only by 2 times. It is supposed that the effect of nitrogen can be related to formation of biocide substances. High copper (Cu = 2.5-5 %) nitrogen-containing cast steels are in austenitic (non-magnetic) condition. Due to a dendritic segregation, the structure of steel corresponds to a natural composite structure, and it is preserved on heating to high temperatures. After cold deformation with up to 85 % reduction, the steels preserve austenitic structure, and its hardness attains a level close to the hardness level of the martensitic structure. The developed corrosion-resistant antimicrobial steels with the increased hardness can be used as a material for the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The structural and phase transformations and the strengthening of nitrogen-containing steels resulting from alloying and thermomechanical treatment have been investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis, optical microscopy, hardness measurements and tensile testing. For the modeling of thermomechanical treatment processes, a DIL 805A/D dilatometer with a deformation capability and a Gleeble 3800 simulator were used. Rational nitrogen or nitrogen plus carbon concentrations are determined by basic composition of an alloy. They are limited by the processes of precipitation of excess phases during crystallization and their dissolution during heating stage of the thermal or thermomechanical treatment. Combined alloying by carbon and nitrogen leads to significant complication of phase and structural transformations in steels, including hot deformation that manifests itself in changes of strain-stress diagram parameters. Effectiveness of increasing of a hot deformation resistance under alloying by nitrogen and carbon depends on a basic composition of steel, C/N ratio and temperature-strain rate deformation conditions.

Abstract: Kinetics of deformation strengthening, polygonization and recrystallization processes have been studied, effects of alloying by nitrogen, combined carbon and nitrogen as well as by various other elements (Cr, Mo, Ni, Mn, V etc.) have been estimated for steels of different compositions and applications. Strain diagrams and structure state maps for the studied steels are presented. Strain diagram shape and attainable hot strength depend on the deformation conditions and basic alloying which determine strain hardening and diffusional processes of post-deformation softening. Alloying by nitrogen increases hot and cold strain hardening and retards recrystallization. Maximum strengthening obtained by cold deformation is accompanied by lowering of ductility and fracture toughness. Hence, it is applicable mainly to the austenitic steels. Nitrogen alloying enhances the austenite stability against g ® a transformation and consequently allows extending a composition range of steels which can be strengthened by cold deformation with large strains. The high-temperature thermomechanical treatment is more effective as a treatment improving a combination of mechanical properties. The schemes and regimes of thermomechanical strengthening treatments are proposed for low- and high- nitrogen containing steels of various structure classes.