Papers by Keyword: Retained Austenite

Abstract: The mechanical properties and microstructure evolution of a one step quenching and partitioning steel containing bainite/martensite/retained austenite mixed microstructure was studied though static and dynamic tensile tests (strain rates ranging from10^-3 s^-1 to 5×10² s^-1 ).Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron-back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) were applied to describe the microstructure evolution near the fracture. XRD characterization shows the volume fraction of retained austenite decrease exponentially with the strain rates increased.EBSD phase maps reveal that the first type of retained austenite is less sensitive to strain rate than the second type.

Abstract: High-carbon high-strength JIS-SUJ2 bearing steel is an alloy having the characteristics of high wear resistance and fatigue strength as a result of quenching. When this kind of high-strength material is exposed to long-lasting low stress application loadings, fisheye fractures can often be seen. In this research, we measured the retained austenite near the fracture surface in JIS-SUJ2. After the measurement, we confirmed the decrease of the retained austenite in the vertical surface under both fisheye fracture and ductile fracture.

Abstract: A chemically heterogeneous Fe-0.95C-1.8Si-1.5Mn-0.65Cr-0.34Mo-0.6Al-1.51Cowt.% steel was isothermally heat treated in the temperature range of 200-250 to produce nanostructured bainite. Observations using optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microstructures consisted of nanosized bainitic ferrite plates in a matrix of retained austenite, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The influence of chemical heterogeneity on the development of nanobainite structure was also examined. It was found that the ferritic constituent nucleates preferentially in the substitutional-solute-lean regions, leaving coarse blocks of untransformed austenite in the substitutional-solute-rich regions. A yield strength of 165511MPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 194121MPa were obtained after isothermal transformation at 250 for 16h while the ductility of the material was 40.8%. This low ductility was attributed to the instability of large regions of austenite retained untransformed in the substitutional-solute-rich regions. An unexpectedly high hardness of 800HV30 was obtained following transformation at 200 for 44h.

Abstract: The effect of time-temperature parameters of heat treatment on the structure and properties of carburized case and the core of 19CrMnNiMo steel was studied. The critical points were determined by dilatometric analysis: Ac₁ = 740°C, AC₃ = 835°C. It was established, that after carburizing at 940 °C, prequench to 890 °C with oil cooling, quenching at 790 °C and tempering at 180 °C, martensite structure of carburized case with uniformly distributed carbides and the least amount of retained austenite is formed. The hardness of carburized case decreases smoothly from the surface into the depth, in proportion to the decrease in the carbon concentration and amounts to 60-50 HRC. The technological process of heat treatment of drill bit legs made of 19CrMnNiMo carburized steel providing minimal amount of retained austenite in structure, absence of carbide network and combination of optimum mechanical properties which is proved by a real on-site experiment is developed. Temperature conditions of carburizing, quenching and low tempering are recommended for the production of legs of roller bits.

Abstract: Low alloy TRIP steel is expected to be applied to automobile bodies because of its high strength, high ductility, and excellent impact properties and press formability. It has been reported that the low alloy TRIP steel of hydrogen embrittlement resistance is improved by utilizing the hydrogen storage characteristics of highly stable retained austenite. Therefore, for the purpose of increasing the volume fraction of retained austenite, it was produced at various cooling rates below the martensite transformation start temperature. As a result, the volume fraction of retained austenite increased, and then the effect of hydrogen embrittlement decreased. The matrix phase and retained austenite is refined with decrees of the cooling rate. It is considered that the size and surface area of the retained austenite also affected the improvement of hydrogen embrittlement resistance.

Abstract: Microstructural evolution during the strain-induced phase transformation of austenite in an Austempered ductile iron (ADI) under various thermomechanical processing conditions is studied in the present study. An alloyed ductile iron is taken as the base material, and thermomechanical treatment is carried out on a Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator coupled with dilatometry. The effect of deformation on the austempering process has been studied by microstructure characterization using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The variations in retained austenite volume fraction and its carbon content with respect to different austempering times are analyzed to study the effect of strain-induced transformation of austenite. It has been observed that the thermomechanical treatment significantly influences the phase transformation kinetics during the austempering process. The thermomechanical treatment produced a martensite free ausferritic microstructure for all austempering times with a high volume fraction of carbon enriched retained austenite as compared to the conventional heat treatment.

Abstract: Although quenched and partitioned (Q&P) steels are traditionally alloyed with Si, its precise role on microstructural mechanisms occurring during the partitioning process is not thoroughly investigated. In this study, a systematic investigation has been carried out to reveal the influence of Si on austenite decomposition, phase transformation and carbide precipitation during Q&P treatment. Using a Gleeble thermomechanical simulator, three medium carbon steels with varying Si contents (0.25, 0.70 and 1.5 wt.%) were hot-rolled, reaustenitized, quenched into the M_s -M_f range, retaining about 20% austenite at the quench-stop temperature (T_Q), and held for 1000 seconds above T_Q in the temperature range of 200-300°C in order to better understand the mechanisms operating during partitioning. Dilatometric measurements combined with microstructural characterization using SEM-EBSD, TEM, and XRD clearly revealed the occurrence of various mechanisms. The effect of partitioning temperature/time on the hardness of the Q&P samples was correlated with the microstructural features. Steel containing low Si content (0.25%) was incapable of promoting carbon enrichment of austenite during partitioning, leading to its continuous decomposition into isothermal martensite and/or bainite without any detectable austenite retained even holding at 300°C. In comparison, 1.5% Si content promoted retention of about 19% austenite under similar Q&P conditions. Small fractions of bainite and high-carbon martensite formed during final cooling in both steels after partitioning at 200°C. Moreover, carbide precipitation was strongly retarded by high Si content.

Abstract: Multiphase steels consisting of retained austenite and martensite/bainite microstructures such as TRIP, low-temperature-bainite, and Q&P steels are attractive candidates for the new-generation of AHSS. These steels exhibit a remarkable combination of strength and toughness which is essential to meet the objective of weight reduction of engineering-components, while maintaining the compromise of tough-safety requirements. Such good mechanical properties are due to the enhanced work hardening rate caused by austenite-to-martensite transformation during deformation and the strengthening contribution of martensite/bainite. The retained austenite can thermally decompose into more thermodynamically stable phases as a consequence of temperature changes, which is referred to as the thermal stability of retained austenite. TRIP-aided steel is an effective candidate for automotive parts because of safety and weight reduction requirements. The strength–ductility balance of high strength steel sheets can be remarkably improved by using transformation induced plasticity behavior of retained austenite. In manufacturing hot rolled TRIP-aided sheet steels, austenite transforms into bainite during the coiling process. Because black hot coils cool slowly after the coiling process, they are exposed at about 350–450°C for a few hours or days. Therefore, the metastable residual austenite can be decomposed into other phases. This decomposition of residual austenite can produce serious deteriorate of mechanical properties in hot rolled TRIP-aided sheet steels. The present work identified the decomposition behavior and study the thermal stability of retained austenite in the TRIP-aided steel with bainitic/ferrite matrix depending on coiling temperatures and holding times by means of DSC and XRD analysis.

Abstract: Various high strength steel sheets for weight reduction and safety improvement of vehicles have been developed. TRIP-aided steel with transformation induced plasticity of the retained austenite has high strength and ductility. Conventional TRIP-aided steels are subjected to austempering process after austenitizing. Generally, elongation and formability of TRIP-aided steel are improved by finely dispersed retained austenite in BCC phase matrix. The finely dispersed retained austenite and grain refinement of TRIP-aided steel can be achieved by hot rolling with heat treatment. Therefore, the improvement of mechanical properties of TRIP-aided steel is expected from the manufacturing process with hot rolling and then isothermal transformation process. In this study, thermomechanical heat treatment is performed by combining hot rolling and isothermal holding as the manufacturing process of TRIP-aided steel sheets. The complex phase matrix is obtained by hot rolling and then isothermal holding. Although the hardness of the hot rolled and isothermal held TRIP-aided steel is decreased, the volume fraction of retained austenite is increased.

Abstract: The aim of this work was to study the influence of quenching and partitioning temperatures combined with various levels of Mn and Ni contents on the austenite stabilization along the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) cycle. Three steels with 2 wt.%, 4 wt.% and 6 wt.% manganese and one steel with 2 wt.% nickel content were investigated. Phase transformation temperatures and critical cooling rates were obtained experimentally using dilatometer for each alloy. Q&P cycles with different quenching and partitioning temperatures were also done in dilatometer, thus, allowing monitoring of the expansion/contraction during the whole Q&P cycle. Microstructure characterization was performed by means of a Scanning Electron Microscope and X-Ray Diffraction to measure retained austenite content. It was found that, strongly depending on the Q&P conditions, austenite stabilization or decomposition occurs during partitioning and final cooling. In case of high partitioning temperature cycles, austenite reverse transformation was observed. Certain cycles resulted in a very effective austenite stabilization and interesting microstructure.