Papers by Keyword: Strengthening Mechanisms

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive review of developments and progress made in martensitic heat-resistant steels, especially, with the emphasis on strengthening mechanisms used in elevated temperatures. We desired to elucidate the correlation between high creep resistance at elevated temperatures and thermal stability of nano-sized particles precipitated from martensite matrix. Finally, future prospective strengthening methods for martensitic heat-resistant steels were discussed.

Abstract: Low carbon lath martensitic microstructures are used in various steel products requiring high strength and toughness. These microstructures are conventionally produced through re-austenitizing and quenching followed by low or high temperature tempering. It is also possible to produce lath martensite through direct quenching immediately following thermomechanical processing. In this study, deformation below the austenite recrystallization temperature before quenching to form martensite was simulated through laboratory scale Gleeble processing of a 0.2 weight percent carbon ASTM A514 steel microalloyed with up to 0.21 weight percent niobium. Thermomechanical processing generally increases the dislocation density of the as-quenched martensite, which is sensitive to the austenite grain size before thermomechanical processing. The hardness of the thermomechanically-processed steels is generally greater than steels austenitized at comparable temperatures without deformation; this hardness difference is attributed to the increase in dislocation density and increased lath misorientation in the thermomechanically-processed conditions. The hardness is generally independent of prior austenite grain size for the thermomechanically processed conditions in contrast to conventionally austenitized and quenched conditions, which have a Hall-Petch correlation with austenite grain size. The strength increase of the thermomechanically processed conditions compared to the conventionally austenitized and quenched conditions is maintained after tempering. However, there is a larger drop in strength for small prior austenite grain sizes for both conventionally austenitized and quenched and thermomechanically processed steels. Overall, the strength of these lath martensitic steels can be directly related to dislocation density through a Taylor hardening model.

Abstract: An oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel with nanometric grain size has been produced by means of low-energy mechanical alloying (LEMA) of steel powder (Fe-14Cr-1W-0.4Ti) mixed with Y₂O₃ particles (0.3 wt%) and successive hot extrusion (HE). The material has equiaxed grains (mean size of 400 nm) and dislocation density of 4 x 10¹² m^-2, and exhibits superior mechanical properties with respect the unreinforced steel. The mechanical behavior has been compared with that of ODS steels prepared by means of the most common process, high-energy mechanical alloying (HEMA), consolidation through hot isostatic pressing (HIP) or hot extrusion (HE), annealing around 1100 °C for 1-2 hours, which produces a bimodal grain size distribution. The strengthening mechanisms have been examined and discussed to explain the different behavior.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to determine the high-manganese austenite propensity to twinning induced by the cold working and its effect on structure and mechanical properties, and especially the strain energy per unit volume of new-developed high-manganese Fe – Mn – (Al, Si) investigated steel, containing about 24,5 % of manganese, 1% of silicon, 3 % of aluminium and microadditions Nb and Ti with various structures after their heat- and thermo-mechanical treatments. The new-developed high-manganese Fe – Mn – (Al, Si) steel provide an extensive potential for automotive industries through exhibiting the twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) mechanisms. TWIP steel not only show excellent strength, but also have excellent formability due to twinning, thereby leading to excellent combination of strength, ductility, and formability over conventional dual phase steels or transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. Results obtained for high-manganese austenitic steel with the properly formed structure and properties in the thermo-mechanical processes indicate the possibility and purposefulness of their employment for constructional elements of vehicles, especially of the passenger cars to take advantage of the significant growth of their strain energy per unit volume which guarantee reserve of plasticity in the zones of controlled energy absorption during possible collision resulting from activation of twinning induced by the cold working as the fracture counteraction factor, which may result in significant growth of the passive safety of these vehicles' passengers.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to determine the high-manganese austenite propensity to twinning induced by the cold working and its effect on structure and mechanical properties, and especially the strain energy per unit volume of new-developed high-manganese Fe – Mn – (Al, Si) investigated steel with various structures after their thermo-mechanical treatments. The new-developed high-manganese steel provides an extensive potential for automotive industries through exhibiting the twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) and transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) mechanisms. TWIP steels not only show excellent strength, but also have excellent formability due to twinning, thereby leading to excellent combination of strength, ductility, and formability over conventional dual phase steels or transformation induced plasticity TRIP steels. The microstructure evolution in successive stages of deformation was determined in metallographic investigations using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopies as well as X-ray diffraction methods.

Abstract: Close attention has been paid to Functional graded materials (FGMs) worldwide for their novel design ideas and outstanding properties. To verify the advantage of FGMS in the design of ceramic tool materials, Si₃N₄/(W, Ti)C nanocomposite ceramic tool materials with homogenous and graded structure were fabricated by hot pressing and sintering technology. The flexural strength, fracture toughness and hardness of the sintered composites were tested and compared. The experimental results showed that the graded structure improved mechanical properties of the ceramic tool materials, especially the flexural strength and fracture toughness. The introduction of residual compressive stress in the surface layer contributes to the improvement of the properties .

Abstract: Line tension simulations were implemented to study the glide of a single dislocation through an array of randomly distributed point obstacles. The strength of each obstacle in the glide plane was populated from an assumed distribution, mimicking what might be expected in engineering alloys containing precipitates. The effect of changing the width of the distribution was investigated. It was found that the assumption of a uniform strength gives a lower bond to the critical resolved shear stress.

Abstract: Precipitation hardening stainless steel has the advantages of both austenitic stainless steel and martensitic stainless steel, including good corrosion resistance, excellent processability and high strength. With the evolution of microstructure and properties of semi-austenitic precipitation hardening stainless steel (D631) during drawing process and aging treatment, the working hardening behaviors, law of phase transition, dissolution and precipitation state of alloying element are investigated to gain the toughness mechanism of D631. The results show that the tensile strength increases with the increase of the reduction of area, on the contrary, the plasticity decreases gradually. The tensile strength is 1529 MPa while the reduction of area is 54%. By means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and metallograpic observation, the content of martensite increases with the increase of deformation, and makes the higher strength and lower plasticity. The alloying element dissolved in the matrix precipitates in fine particles by aging treatment, resulting in a higher strength of 1948MPa.

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of development of stainless steel for critical applications and its metallurgical aspects in general. Novel emerging methods of processing of stainless steel are also discussed. Advances in steel making aspects with respect to stainless steel and other specialty steels especially in nuclear applications are presented. Overview of alloy design, physical metallurgical aspects of steel for critical applications is discussed. Advances in manufacturing of stainless steel, strengthening mechanisms, corrosion resistance, challenges in stainless steel applications have also been elaborated.

Abstract: The microstructural features and heat treatment response of Cu-2.1Ni-0.5Si-0.2Zr-0.05Cr (wt.%) alloy have been investigated. The alloy was aged at 400°C、450°C and 500°C after a cold deformation of 70% reduction. The variation in hardness and electrical conductivity of the alloy was measured as a function of aging time. The results indicated the highest peak hardness value of approximately 205HV for the alloy aged at 400°C for 4h after the solution treatment and cold deformation. The alloy has two main phases, one is Ni2Si phase, and the other is Cr2Zr phase. The strengthening mechanisms of the alloy include spinodal decomposition strengthening, ordering strengthening and precipitation strengthening.