Papers by Keyword: Advanced Steel

Abstract: In this paper, we report a lamellar-structured low-alloy transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel; the microstructure of the steel consists of alternate lamellae of intercritical ferrite and reverted austenite on microscale, with the latter consisting of bainitic ferrite laths and retained austenite films on nanoscale. Such a microstructure was produced by a heat treatment process similar to that for producing conventional TRIP-assisted steels, i.e. intercritical annealing followed by austempering. Nevertheless, quenched martensite rather than a mixture of ferrite and pearlite was used as the starting structure for intercritical annealing to form austenite, and the resulting austenite was then transformed to bainite by austempering treatment. This steel exhibits much enhanced strength-ductility combinations as compared with those conventional polygonal-structured low-alloy TRIP steels.

Abstract: In the present study, the effects of ausforming on the bainitic transformation, microstructure and mechanical properties of a low-carbon rich-silicon carbide-free bainitic steel have been investigated. Results show that prior ausforming shortens both the incubation period and finishing time of bainitic transformation during isothermal treatment at a temperature slightly above the M_s point. The thicknesses of bainitic ferrite laths are reduced appreciably by ausforming; however, ausforming increases the amount of large blocks of retained austenite/martenisite and decreases the volume fraction of retained austenite. And accordingly, ausforming gives rise to significant increases in both yield and tensile strengths, but causes noticeable decreases in ductility and impact toughness.

Abstract: Hot rolled structural plate steels with yield strength of 700 MPa are an excellent choice for a variety of demanding applications that require excellent toughness and welding properties. SSAB has developed novel hot-rolled plate steels that are produced using precision controlled rolling and an innovative cooling and tempering strategy that ensures invariable mechanical properties in the width and the length directions of the plate. The recently developed steel meets or exceeds the requirements of EN 10025-6 for the S690QL grade. The minimum yield strength (ReH) is between 630 MPa and 690 MPa depending on plate the thickness, and the interval of tensile strength is 760 - 940 MPa, while the minimum elongation at fracture is 14 %. Further, an impact energy of 69 J at-40 °C on transverse V-notch specimen is guaranteed. The novel grades represent superior bendability and surface quality, weldability with excellent HAZ strength and toughness with very low CET and CEV values, exceptional consistency of properties within a plate guaranteed by close tolerances. In addition to the excellent formability, the novel hot rolled steels exhibit greatly improved toughness properties which provides for good resistance to fracture. These outstanding properties are achieved through carefully controlled manufacturing processes. In the present study, a sophisticated recrystallization based hot rolling process optimization method is presented. With the final aim to improve the impact toughness of the novel steel, recrystallization analyses and modelling of austenite grain size development through the rolling pass schedule is performed.

Abstract: The automotive industry is increasingly utilizing advanced high-strength steels, primarily to reduce the mass of motor vehicles. However, many of these steels fall within the peritectic composition range, which are notoriously difficult to cast by continuous casting techniques. Against this background, a brief review is given of our current understanding of the peritectic reaction as such and the subsequent peritectic phase transformations.