Papers by Keyword: Martensite

Abstract: Direct quenching (DQ) is one of the latest process routes in production of ultra-high strength, high performance steels and Ruukki one of the pioneering companies in the utilization of direct quenching. Ruukki has applied direct quenching for the production of ultra-high-strength structural steels in the form of hot-rolled strip and plate. The paper briefly summarizes the physical metallurgy fundamental of direct steels and shows some selected examples of the microstructures and properties of steels produced by direct quenching. In addition, a brief review on the usability properties and design rules of ultra-high strength structural steels is made.

Abstract: Based on the recent concept of quenching and partitioning (Q&P), a novel TMR-DQP (thermomechanical rolling followed by direct quenching and partitioning) processing route has been established for the development of ultra-high strength structural steels with yield strengths ≈1100 MPa combined with good uniform and total elongations and impact toughness. Suitable compositions were designed based on high silicon and/or aluminium contents with or without small additions of Nb, Mo or Ni. The DQP parameters were established with the aid of physical simulation on a Gleeble simulator. Finally, the TMR-DQP processing route was designed for trials on a laboratory rolling mill. Metallographic studies showed that the desired martensite-austenite microstructures were achieved thus providing the targeted mechanical properties. The advantage of strained austenite in refining the martensite packets/blocks was clearly evident. No adverse effect of prolonged partitioning simulating the coiling stage has been noticed suggesting new possibilities for strip and plate products. Promising results in respect of microstructures and mechanical properties indicate that there are possibilities for developing tough ductile structural steels through the TMR-DQP route.

Abstract: A one step quenching and partitioning process was applied to a 0.2%C-2.0%Mn-0.5%Cr-1.5%Si steel by quenching austenitised samples to several different temperatures below the experimentallydetermined martensite start temperature of 397 °C and isothermally partitioning them beforequenching to room temperature using a quenching deformation dilatometer. These treatmentsyielded predominantly martensitic microstructures containing 5.6 vol.% to 7.5 vol.% retained austenite,as measured by x-ray diffraction. In each treatment, strong dilation was recorded during isothermalpartitioning, with little indication of phase transformation during subsequent cooling to room temperature.This behaviour lends weight to the idea that an isothermal phase transformation occurred duringpartitioning, and that the final microstructure is a mixture of athermally and isothermally formed constituents.These results also suggest that the final microstructure of this steel is mostly formed beforeand during partitioning.

Abstract: Use of ultra-high-strength steels (UHSS) in weight critical constructions is an effective way to save energy and minimize carbon footprint in the end use. On the other hand, the demands for reducing manufacturing costs and energy consumption of the steelmaker are increasing. This has led to development of energy efficient direct quenching (DQ) steelmaking process as an alternative to the conventional quenched and tempered or thermomechanical rolling and accelerate cooled processes. Ruukki has employed thermomechanical rolling and direct quenching process (TM + DQ) for a novel type of ultra-high-strength strip and plate steels since 2001. Advantages of the ultra-high-strength level (>900MPa) can be fully utilized only if fabricated properties are on a sufficient level. Bending is one of the most important workshop processes and a good bendability is essential for a structural steel. Hence, the metallurgy and bendability of Ruukki ́s TM + DQ strip steel Optim^® 960QC have been investigated closely. It was found that by optimizing process parameters and chemical composition, a good combination of strength and ductility can be achieved by a modification of martensitic-bainitic microstructure. Despite of smaller total elongation, the bendability of Optim^® 960QC is at least on the same level as on conventionally manufactured 960MPa steels. However, it is important to pay special attention to bending process (tool parameters, springback, bending force, material handling) when bending UHSS. It was also found that the bendability of Optim^® 960QC can be significantly enhanced by local laser heat treatments or roll forming.

Abstract: In recent years, Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) became an interesting thermal process route for semi-finished high strength low alloyed steel components. Recent publications demonstrate promising mechanical properties with considerable ductility enhancement. To assess the potential of the two-step Q&P heat treatment in seamless tube production, corresponding tests are carried out on 42SiCrB steel (0.42wt% C, 2.0wt% Si, 1.3wt.% Cr, 0.6wt.% Mn, 0.002wt.% B). Feasible Q&P heat treatment process parameters are identified using the Constrained-Carbon-Equilibrium (CCE) model, carbon diffusion calculations and isothermal TTT curves with previous quenching. Furthermore achieved volume fraction of retained austenite is analyzed by XRD experiments.

Abstract: The microstructure evolution of martensitic Ti-6Al-4V alloy was investigated through uniaxial hot compression at 700°C and a strain rate of 10^-3 s^-1. A combination of scanning electron microscopy observation in conjunction with high resolution electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterize the microstructure in detail. The development of the microstructure displayed continuous fragmentation of martensitic laths with increasing strain (i.e. continuous dynamic recrystallization), concurrently with decomposition of supersaturated martensite resulting in the formation of equiaxed grains. At a strain of 0.8, an ultrafine equiaxed grained structure with mostly high angle grain boundaries was successfully obtained. The current work proposes a novel approach to produce equiaxed ultrafine grains in a Ti-6Al-4V alloy through thermomechanical processing of a martensitic starting microstructure.

Abstract: The phase field method is rapidly becoming the method of choice for simulating the evolution of solid state phase transformations in materials science. Within this area there are transformations primarily concerned with diffusion and those that have a displacive nature. There has been extensive work focussed upon applying the phase field method to diffusive transformations leaving much desired for models that can incorporate displacive transformations. Using the current model, the formation of martensite, which is formed via a displacive transformation, is simulated. The existence of a transformation matrix in the free energy expression along with cubic symmetry operations enables the reproduction of the 24 grain variants of martensite. Furthermore, upon consideration of the chemical free energy term, the model is able to utilise both the displacive and diffusive aspects of bainite formation, reproducing the autocatalytic nucleation process for multiple sheaves using a single phase field variable. Transformation matrices are available for many steels, one of which is used within the model.

Abstract: The effects of variations in the rate of post-austenitization cooling of a 0.2%C-1.5%Si-1.5%Mn-1.0%Cr-0.2%Mo-1.5%Ni-0.05%Nb (mass%) transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-aided steel with a lath martensite structure matrix on the Charpy impact toughness were investigated, with the aim of improving the material properties for automotive body applications. When cooled at 1.2°C/s after austenitization, the TRIP-aided steel showed a higher upper-shelf Charpy impact absorbed value (90 J/cm²) and a lower ductile-brittle fracture appearance transition temperature (−126°C), compared with the values determined (82 J/cm², −98°C) for steel cooled at 53.5°C/s. The lower cooling rate yielded a higher volume fraction and carbon concentration of metastable retained austenite, finer martensite-austenite constituents, and a lower carbide fraction in the wide lath martensite structure in the TRIP-aided steel. These improved microstructural characteristics resulted in superior impact toughness.

Abstract: Low carbon martensitic steels are often produced by reaustenitizing and quenching (RA/Q). Direct quenching (DQ) has gained interest in the past few decades and requires quenching immediately after working above or below the austenite recrystallization temperature to form martensitic microstructures. In the current study, microalloyed ASTM A514 steel is used to produce martensite from either equiaxed or pancaked prior austenite grain (PAG) microstructures. The equiaxed PAG conditions simulate microstructures produced by RA/Q and the pancaked PAG conditions simulate microstructures produced by controlled rolling (CR) before DQ. Controlled rolling followed by DQ was simulated with double hit compression in a Gleeble® 3500. The prior austenite grain size (PAGS) was varied between 9 and 75 μm prior to controlled rolling. The strengthening and toughening mechanisms are being investigated in the as-quenched (AsQ), low temperature tempered (LTT: 200 °C), and high temperature tempered (HTT: 600 °C) conditions. The equiaxed PAG condition has a Hall-Petch (H-P) relationship between yield strength (or microhardness) and PAGS in the AsQ condition. There is not a H-P relationship between PAGS and microhardness in the CR-DQ conditions. The CR-DQ conditions generally exhibit higher microhardness than the RA/Q conditions with similar PAGS, with the most significant differences in the larger PAGS conditions. Toughness was only measured in the equiaxed PAG conditions. The smallest PAGS has the lowest ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) with the highest strength in the AsQ and LTT conditions. The smallest PAGS has the lowest DBTT and the lowest strength in the HTT condition.

Abstract: The new class of bainitic steels can present toughness at room temperature greater than traditional quenched and tempered martensitic steel. This is because the microstructure of steel with high Si content (≈1.5wt%) submitted to bainitic transformation is compose of fine plates of bainitic ferrite separated by retained austenite. The inhibition of cementite precipitation leads to the improvement of toughness. The presence of cementite facilitates the nucleation of cracks. Moreover, the blocks of retained austenite are undesirable. This morphology is rather unstable and tends to transform into hard and brittle untempered martensite under the influence of small stress, contributing to a low toughness. However, it was observed in this work that the greater the volume fraction of retained austenite, the greater is the toughness (10-24 J) for multi-phase steel. The values of toughness were independent whether the retained austenite is present on film or block forms. The decrease of toughness values was observed by the tempered samples after the bainitic transformation (10-14 J). This occurred because the blocks of retained austenite decomposed into carbides, martensite and/or bainite.