Papers by Keyword: Thermo-Mechanical Control Process (TMCP)

Abstract: The formation of ultrafine-grained structure in steels by various thermomechanical processings is reviewed from a metallurgical point of view. In the recent new type TMCP, ultrafine ferrite grains with a grain size of about 1μm are obtained when the austenite is heavily deformed at lower temperatures. In this case, dynamic phenomena such as dynamic recrystallization become prominent in the process. In the aging after heavy cold rolling of supersaturated matrix phase in two-phase alloys, the competition between the recovery or recrystallization of matrix phase and the precipitation of second phase occurs, resulting in various types of two-phase structures including microduplex structure. Microduplex structure is also obtained by annealing after heavy cold rolling of coarse two-phase structure in duplex stainless steel and high carbon steel. Recently, various severe plastic deformation processings, in which very large plastic strain over 4 is applied to the materials, have been developed to produce ultrafine grained materials with nanocrystalline and/or submicrocrystalline structures.

Abstract: A physical model for austenite recrystallization of steel concerning TMCP is developed. Dislocation density plays a key role as recrystallization driving force. The dislocation density change is a result of competition between dislocation generation and dynamic recovery. Recrystallization is described as a nucleation-growth process. An abnormal subgrain growth mechanism is introduced for nucleation. A few subgrains fulfilling abnormal growth conditions will stand out and become nuclei of recrystallization. The recrystallized grain grows to the deformed materials driven by the stored energy. Oswald ripening occurs for grains surrounded by recrystallized grains. The models were verified by laboratory simulation results for selected austenite stainless steels. It showed good agreement between predicted and experimental results.

Abstract: As a new damping material, the authors first developed a Zn-22wt.%-Al eutectoid alloy with ultra-fine grains exhibiting superplasticity at room temperature by means of thermomechanical controlling processes (TMCPs). The Zn-Al alloy has a few advantages such as low work-hardening rate and high ductility over a conventional seismic damping material, for instance, a low-yield-point steel. In addition, Zn-Al alloys are environment-conscious because of no harmful metal like Pb. However, when Zn-Al alloys are subjected to plastic deformation, since its work hardening is small, plastic deformation proceeds locally so that required absorption energy cannot be sufficiently obtained, and local fracture and local deformation instability can take place easily, which is the intrinsic characteristic of superplastic materials. Therefore we attempted to develop a shear panel type, a brace type damper for tall buildings and a bending type damper for Japanese wooden houses using FEM analysis in order to minimize localized strain and local deformation and to determine the optimum shape for this Zn-Al superplastic seismic damper. As a result, an ecological and high-energy absorption seismic dampers, so-called “maintenance-free seismic damper,” was successfully developed.

Abstract: This study aims at examining thermomechanical controlled process to realize ultrafine TRIP-aided multi-phase microstructures in low carbon steels. Heavy deformation at a supercooled austenite region was found to lead the formation of 2 μm ferrite as well as retained austenite with high volume fraction. The morphology of retained austenite was changed from film-like shape to granular shape with lowering finish rolling temperature in austenite field. This ultrafine TRIP-aided multi-phase steel showed good balance of tensile strength with total elongation, ie. 1080MPa and 26.9%. A novel in-situ neutron diffraction measurement demonstrated that the retained granular austenite transformed to martensite at a relatively large strain compared with the retained film austenite. The therein-underlying mechanism of the good mechanical properties was discussed from the view points of the morphological and thermodynamical stabilization of retained austenite.

Abstract: New conceptual TMCP process for manufacturing high strength steel plates, which is applied an on-line heat treatment immediately after accelerated cooling (ACC), was developed. Transformation and precipitation behavior in the new TMCP process was investigated and compared with those in conventional ACC process and quenching and tempering process (Q+T). In the ACC process and Q+T process, microstructures were consisted of bainitic ferrite and second phase, such as cementite or martensite-austenite constituent (MA). And fine carbides, which were formed randomly, were observed in Q+T steel. On the other hand, in the new TMCP process polygonal ferrite was observed in addition to bainitic ferrite and cementite, and two kinds of precipitation forms, random precipitation and row precipitation, were observed. It was found that ferrite transformation is promoted during heating after accelerated cooling, which brings row precipitation of fine carbides. Furthermore, Control of the formation of MA this new TMCP process. In the conventional ACC process, MA constituents are formed from carbon enriched untransformed austenite during air cooling after ACC, and formation of MA is hard to prevent for higher strength steels. On the other hand, carbon enrichment to untransformed austenite can be prevented by carbide formation during on-line heat treatment after ACC. It was demonstrated that homogeneous microstructure with very low amount of MA constituents was achieved by the new TMCP process. And, absence of brittle phase brought excellent resistance to hydrogen induced cracking in NACE sour environment. In this paper, details of the metallurgical and mechanical feature of this new TMCP steel were discussed, and application to sour resistant linepipe steel was introduced.

Abstract: Higher strength and higher thickness are ongoing demands on plates for pipes and structural applications. At the same time other properties like toughness and weldability must be kept or even be improved. As a consequence these demands must be achieved with limited addition of alloying. Specific aspects must be incorporated in the design of thick plates. To exploit the mechanisms of property achievement effectively and to compensate certain disadvantages of thick plate production appropriate mill equipment is necessary. Utilization of TMCP provide the basis to meet these goals.

Abstract: In the present study HSLA steels of varying carbon concentrations, alloyed with Mn, Ni, Cr, Mo, Cu and micro-alloyed with Nb and Ti were subjected to different finish rolling temperatures from 850oC to 750oC in steps of 50oC. The microstructure of the steel predominantly shows martensite. Fine twins, strain induced precipitates in the martensite lath along with e-Cu precipitates are observed in the microstructure. With an increase in carbon content the strength value increases from 1200MPa UTS to 1700MPa UTS with a negligible reduction in elongation. Impact toughness values of 20-26 joules at room temperature and −40oC were obtained in sub-size samples.

Abstract: High strain rate superplasticity has been realised at room temperature for the first time with a ultra fine grained Zn-22wt%Al alloy. Zn-Al alloys have some advantages over low-yieldpoint steels in their low work-hardening rate and high ductility. In addition, Zn-Al alloys are environment-conscious because of no harmful metal like Pb. However, when Zn-Al alloys are subjected to plastic deformation, the strain is localised and local fracture can take place because of their low work-hardening property. In this study, a seismic damper was designed with a Ultra fine grained Zn-Al alloy. As a result, an ecological and high performance seismic damper, the so-called “maintenance-free seismic damper”, has been successfully developed.

Abstract: TMCP treatments were carried out on B510L steel followed by using a pilot rolling mill. Effects of finish rolling temperature and coiling temperature on mechanical properties and microstructures of the steel were analyzed. The tensile and impact properties were measured and the microstructures were observed by OM, TEM and SEM. With a proper control of rolling and cooling conditions, the yield strength of 500MPa was obtained, which was much higher than that in normal production. The yield ratio and ductility of the experimental steel were also reasonable. It was revealed that a good combination of ferrite with bainite microstructure was ideal for good mechanical properties. It was also concluded that the strengthening mechanisms included solution hardening, fine ferrite grain hardening, bainite hardening and precipitation hardening. This work can provide an experimental basis for industrial productions.