Papers by Keyword: Gleeble Simulation

Abstract: Laboratory rolling simulations, comprising of thermomechanically controlled rolling followed by ausforming and isothermal holding close to Ms temperature, were conducted on a medium-carbon (C) steel in order to understand the combined effect of prior straining and low temperature holding on the bainite transformation characteristics and resultant properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was employed to examine the morphology, size and volume fraction of different phase constituents and the observed microstructural features were correlated with the mechanical properties of the steels. The morphology of bainite and/or retained austenite (RA) after low temperature ausforming was found to be extremely fine compared to the sample ausformed at high temperature. An excellent combination of high yield (~1200 MPa) and tensile (~1800 MPa) strengths, good ductility (~18 %) and reasonable ambient temperature impact toughness (~15 J/cm²) were achieved in the low temperature ausformed steel that was attributed to significant refinement of bainite sheaves and presence of high fractions of film-like RA. The dislocations introduced by ausforming hindered the growth of bainite and promoted enhanced carbon diffusion, resulting in high fractions of finely divided film-like RA with high stability. Recent results obtained on a nanostructured /ultrafine medium-carbon bainitic steel elucidating the ausforming conditions and corresponding microstructures and properties are illustrated here.

Abstract: The effect of chromium content and prior hot deformation of the austenite on the continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram of a newly developed low-carbon bainitic steel has been studied using dilatometer measurements conducted on a Gleeble 3800 simulator with cooling rates ranging from 2-80 °C/s. After austenitization at 1100 °C, specimens were either cooled without strain or given 0.6 strain at 880 °C prior to dilatometer measurements. The resultant microstructures have been studied using laser scanning confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and macrohardness measurements. CCT and deformation continuous cooling transformation (DCCT) diagrams were constructed based on the dilatation curves, final microstructures and hardness values. Depending on the cooling rate, the microstructures of the investigated steels after cooling from the austenite region consist of one or more of the following microstructural components: lath-like upper bainite, i.e. bainitic ferrite (BF), granular bainite (GB), polygonal ferrite (PF) and pearlite (P). The proportion of BF to GB as well as the hardness of the transformation products decreased with decreasing cooling rate. The cooling rate at which PF starts to appear depends on the steel composition. With both undeformed and deformed austenite, increasing the chromium content led to higher hardenability and refinement of the microstructure, promoting the formation of BF and shifting the ferrite start curve to lower cooling rates. Prior hot deformation shifted the transformation curves to shorter times and higher temperatures and led to a reduction in hardness at the low cooling rates through the promotion of ferrite formation.

Abstract: China Steel Corporation was founded in 1971 being the largest integrate steel mill in Taiwan. After several stages of expansion projects, its crude steel production has reached 16.5 million tons annually. CSC has made consistent efforts on its technology innovation mainly carried out by two R & D departments. One of the major tasks of its R & D activities is to establish the advanced technologies for the manufacturing better steels and aluminum alloys as well as product application technology for downstream users. This presentation will mainly brief the research activities of CSC in the field of metal forming including rolling, sheet metal forming and thermal mechanical simulations carried out at Gleeble 3800. Work rolls with continuously variable crown (CVC) were applied to produce hot-rolled strips having precise profile and flatness. Lubrication rolling technology with high speed steel rolls was developed to diminish the wearing of work rolls at hot strip mills. The campaign life of rolling cycle was greatly prolonged. Computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulation technology of sheet metal forming has been established which proved to be an effective way to deal with the sever spring back and breakage of the cold forming of high strength steel automobile parts. Hot stamping has also been developed to support the technology innovation of CSC’s downstream customers. Flow stress and microstructure evolution during hot rolling for aluminum alloys were investigated using a Gleeble 3800 simulator. Both high strength AA5182 for can end and low earing AA3104 for can body aluminum sheets have been successfully developed.

Abstract: The potential to utilize controlled thermal processing to minimize banding in a DP780 steel with 2 wt pct Mn was evaluated on samples processed on a Gleeble® 3500 thermomechanical processing simulator. All processing histories were selected to result in final dual-phase steel microstructures simulating microstructures achievable during annealing of initially cold rolled sheet. Strip samples were processed to evaluate the effects of heating rate, annealing time, annealing temperature, and cooling rate. The degree of banding in the final microstructures was evaluated with standard light optical microscopic techniques. Results are presented to illustrate that the extent of banding depended on control of both heating and cooling rates, and a specific processing history based on a two-stage heating rate can be used to minimize visible banding in selected final heat treated products.

Abstract: Modern steelmaking technologies utilizing microalloyed steel designs have been responsible for enormous economic benefits for both the steelmaker and fabricator. What has not been acknowledged is the environmental benefit that high strength steels have produced in terms of reduced steel usage in major infrastructure projects. The judicial use of microalloying has the potential to further reduce total tonnage requirements while delivering enhanced operational performance and service life. Various projects around the world have begun to recognize these recent microalloying developments. This paper will present the grain coarsening behavior of the new generation of Nb bearing steels, which have been used in major international steel fabrication projects.

Abstract: A 0.12 wt.% C – 1.26 wt.% Mn steel was studied to evaluate phase transformations that occurred during a specific thermal processing method designed to simulate steel plate surface layer microstructural evolution during processing with intermediate cooling. All process simulations used a Gleeble thermomechanical simulator along with thermal practices developed previously. After intermediate cooling was completed during processing, slight reheating of the plate surface layer region would occur due to heat retained in the plate core. Microstructural evaluation of Gleeble samples quenched at several points along the thermal profile allowed interpretation of microstructural evolution during processing. The microstructure that was present at the point where deformation would be applied consisted of approximately 75% ferrite, 25% austenite and some small, undissolved cementite particles.