Papers by Author: Zu Qing Sun

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: 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: Comparison of grain growth of fine-grained and coarse-grained austenite in a Nb-V-Ti microalloyed steel during reheating or equalization at the same temperature was investigated using cold-charging and hot-charging specimens respectively in this study. The results show that the different grain growth behavior appears in fine-grained and coarse-grained austenite. The uniform grain growth and lower growth rate at reheating temperature studied was found in fine-grained austenite, while partial grain growth and higher growth rate was present in coarse-grained austenite. During reheating or equalization, the slow growth rate in fine-grained austenite may be contributed to stronger pinning force of fine precipitates while higher grain growth rate in coarse-grained austenite were believed to the result of lager size difference among part of grains. Grain coarsening occurs in fine-grained austenite as result of precipitate unpinning at extending holding time, but coarse-grained austenite remained wide size distribution at the same condition and this should not be considered as grain coarsening. coarse-grained austenite remained wide size distribution at the

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: A physical model for austenite recrystallization of steel concerning TMCP is developed. Dislocation density plays a key role as recrystallization driving force. The dislocation density change is a result of competition between dislocation generation and dynamic recovery. Recrystallization is described as a nucleation-growth process. An abnormal subgrain growth mechanism is introduced for nucleation. A few subgrains fulfilling abnormal growth conditions will stand out and become nuclei of recrystallization. The recrystallized grain grows to the deformed materials driven by the stored energy. Oswald ripening occurs for grains surrounded by recrystallized grains. The models were verified by laboratory simulation results for selected austenite stainless steels. It showed good agreement between predicted and experimental results.

Abstract: The femtosecond laser ablation has been investigated on second generation single crystal superalloy CMSX-4 using a commercial titanium:sapphire laser system (λ = 780nm, τ = 120 fs). The ablation thresholds of bulk alloy CMSX-4 have been determined as a function of the pulse number (1, 10, 100, 1000) in air, argon gas and vacuum. The results indicate that the multiple-pulse threshold of this material decreased with increasing the pulse number in all the cases. For the same pulse number, the threshold changed in the descending order: air, vacuum and argon gas. The incubation coefficient in air has been determined: ξ = 0.86 ± 0.03. The preliminary results showed the better quality of femtosecond laser machining of CMSX-4 in vacuum and argon gas than in air.

Abstract: Texture evolutions are determined by XRD and EBSD techniques during ferrite refinement through deformation-enhanced ferrite transformation (DEFT) and dynamic recrystallization (DREX). Evidences of transformation texture, deformation texture and recrystallization texture during DEFT are provided and compared with the texture during DREX. The influence of pass-interval during DEFT on texture is illustrated. Results are discussed in terms of the influences of ferrite grain size and deforming temperature.

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.