Papers by Author: Yoshitaka Adachi

Abstract: The features present in 3D structure have geometric properties that fall into two broad categories: topological and metric. Metric properties are generally the more familiar; these include volume, surface area, line length and curvature. Equally or even more important in some applications are the topological properties of features. The two principal topological properties are number per unit volume and connectivity. In the present study, a change in morphology of pearlite and dual phase microstructures was examined from differential geometry and topology viewpoint. 3D images of eutectoid pearlite and dual phase steels were obtained by reconstructing serial sectioning images. Their metric and topological features were evaluated using The Euler Poincare formula and The Gauss-Bonnet Theorem. In addition, newly developed fully-automated serial sectioning 3D microscope “Genus_3D” will be also introduced.

Abstract: Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels have not yet been successfully joined by any welding technique. It is desirable to search for a suitable welding technique that opens up for full usability of TRIP steels. In this study, the potential of joining TRIP steel with Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) is investigated. The aim of the study is to investigate whether acceptable welds can be produced, and additionally, to obtain an understanding of the microstructural changes during welding. The microstructure was investigated with a combination of microscopical techniques with the aim of identifying the transformations occurring during welding. Reflected light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction were among the methods applied for detailed investigations. The microstructure adjacent to the welds can generally be subdivided in two thermo-mechanically affected zones (TMAZ), and two heat-affected zones (HAZ). The dual behavior of the microstructure in the zones is related to the two transition temperatures in steel: A₁ and A₃. In parts of the TMAZ the microstructure contains ultra fine-grained ferrite. This finding parallels the observation in thermo-mechanically processed steels, where severe deformation at elevated temperatures is used to produce ultra fine-grained microstructures. Several possible transformation mechanisms could in principle explain the development of ultra fine-grained ferrite, e.g. dynamic recrystallization, strain-induced ferrite transformation and dynamic recovery.

Abstract: A 0.79C-1.5Si-1.98Mn-0.98Cr-0.24Mo-1.06Al-1.58Co (wt%) steel was isothermally heat treated at 350°C bainitic transformation temperature for 1 day to form fully bainitic structure with nano-layers of bainitic ferrite and retained austenite, while a 0.26C-1.96Si-2Mn-0.31Mo (wt%) steel was subjected to a successive isothermal heat treatment at 700°C for 300 min followed by 350°C for 120 min to form a hybrid microstructure consisting of ductile ferrite and fine scale bainite. The dislocation density and morphology of bainitic ferrite, and retained austenite characteristics such as size, and volume fraction were studied using Transmission Electron Microscopy. It was found that bainitic ferrite has high dislocation density for both steels. The retained austenite characteristics and bainite morphology were affected by composition of steels. Atom Probe Tomography (APT) has the high spatial resolution required for accurate determination of the carbon content of the bainitic ferrite and retained austenite, the solute distribution between these phases and calculation of the local composition of fine clusters and particles that allows to provide detailed insight into the bainite transformation of the steels. The carbon content of bainitic ferrite in both steels was found to be higher compared to the para-equilibrium level of carbon in ferrite. APT also revealed the presence of fine C-rich clusters and Fe-C carbides in bainitic ferrite of both steels.

Abstract: The nucleation of bcc ferrite precipitates at austenite grain corners in a Co-15Fe alloy was studied by serial sectioning coupled with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. Grain corners were identified by recombination of triple points and triangular annihilation, whereas quite a few precipitates were surrounded by more than four matrix grains when twins were counted as individual grains. More than 40% of corners composed all of high angle grain boundaries were vacant at an undercooling of ~60°C from the g/(a+g) phase boundary. All the precipitates had K-S or N-W orientation relationship with at least one grain and a larger proportion of them had the OR with two and three grains. For half of vacant corners a hypothetical precipitate could have the OR with more than one grain. It is likely that not only the misorientations among the matrix grains, but also the orientations of the grain boundary planes have a major influence on nucleation potency even at grain corners.

Abstract: To understand the reason of high work hardening in high nitrogen steel, a scale-bridging analysis consisting of in situ neutron diffraction, in situ electron backscattering diffraction measurement during tensile deformation and weak beam transmission electron microscopy was performed with particular attention to stress partitioning. This study demonstrates the contribution of stress partitioning, back stress due to dislocation pile-up at grain boundaries and dislocation interaction to work hardening at each strain level.

Abstract: Differential geometry and toplogy-based three-dimensional (3D) analysis was conducted to understand pearlite spheroidization mechanism in an eutectoid steel. Morphological change during aging below A1 tempearture was examined in terms of Gaussian(K)/mean curvatures(H), genus and Euler characteristics based on 3D images.The holes presentnaturally grown cementite lamella caused shape instability andinduced shape evolution of the lamellar structure during spheroidization. 3D visualization demonstrated that the intrinsic holes played an important role in the initiation and development of pearlitespheroidization. The hole coalescence and expansion causedthe breakup of large cementite lamellae into several long narrow ribbons. H-K plot actually suggested that the number of thses holes decreased with increasing aging period. In addition, small cementite particles and narrow rod cementite decreased during aging. These microstractural evolutions were discussed from the view point of ferrite/cementite interfacial energy.

Abstract: This study highlites deformation behavior of austenitic and pearlitic steels by in-situ neutron diffraction and 3D/4D EBSD measurement with a particular attention to their hierarchy.In particular stress partitioning in these microstructures is examined from macroscopic as well as microscopic scale length levels, and they are correlated to each other.

Abstract: The multiple precipitation behavior of NbC and Cu particles in martensitic structure was investigated by using 0.05C-0.46Nb-2Cu-1.5Mn steel (NbC-Cu steel). Additionally, 0.05C-0.45Nb-2Mn steel (NbC steel) and 2Cu-5Mn steel (Cu steel) were also prepared to examine the respective precipitation behaviors of NbC and Cu. Aging treatment at 873K after quenching revealed that these steels exhibit typical age hardening. Comparing the NbC steel and Cu steel in the precipitation rate, the Cu precipitated much faster than the NbC. On the other hand, the peak hardness in NbC-Cu steel is higher than that by the respective precipitations in NbC steel and Cu steel. Besides, the aging time for the peak hardness in NbC-Cu steel was between those in NbC steel and Cu steel. This suggests that the NbC and Cu particles were separately precipitated within martensite matrix and each of them contributed to the hardening in NbC-Cu steel. As a result of TEM investigation for crystallographic characteristics of the precipitates, the NbC and Cu particles had different crystallographic orientation relationship with tempered martensite matrix: Baker-Nutting relationship for NbC particle and Kurdjumov-Sachs relationship for Cu particle.

Abstract: Compression tests were performed on Fe-3%Si specimens with few grains. The deformation microstructure and microtexture were investigated by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and related to the initial crystal orientation and grain boundary characteristics. Groups of microbands were found that are characterised by a periodic change in crystal orientation, shear at the grain boundary, and the formation of new grains. It is supposed that these microband groups represent an early stage of microshear band development.

Abstract: The warm-compression microstructures of two nickel-containing tempered martensite steels with and without carbon were investigated. The EBSD measurement and TEM observation/Kikuchi pattern analysis confirm that the ultrafine microstructures contain ferriteaustenite dual phases with more than 18% austenite. The difference in the austenite amount before and after warm compression proves that the dynamic austenite precipitation occurs during warm deformation and the carbon addition is beneficial to the austenite precipitation. It is also found that the ultrafine austenite grains as a hard phase promote the dynamic recrystallization of ferrite during warm deformation.