Papers by Keyword: Ultra High Strength Steel

Abstract: The welding of WELDOX960 ultra-high strength steel must consider not only the strength but also the toughness of the welding zone. In this paper, a new welding process with low strength matching backing layer is studied, that is, we choose ER50-6 wire for backing welding, use T union gm120 wire for MAG welding filling, and complete the cover welding. We prepared two groups of welding samples of ER50-6 wire backing welding and T union gm120 wire backing welding. Then we test the samples by optical metallography, tensile test, impact test and hardness test. The results show that the properties of the two kinds of backing weld can meet the requirements. The basic structure of the weld outside the backing layer of the two welding methods is similar, which are acicular ferrite and carbide. Using ER50-6 welding wire as backing, the microstructure of the weld is uniform and fine ferrite grain and a small amount of pearlite. Using T union GM120 high strength steel as backing, the microstructure of the weld is acicular ferrite and carbide. The toughness of ER50-6 is higher than that of T union GM120, and the hardness is lower than that of T union GM120.The research results have been successfully applied to the welding of large tonnage truck crane boom, and the enterprise has achieved high economic benefits.

Abstract: The effect of cooling procedure on the transformation behavior of low-carbon Cr-Mo microalloyed steel was investigated by using microstructural observations, mechanical properties and impact fractographs. Three steel plates were adopted under three different cooling rates, and their microstructure, tensile and impact properties were evaluated. The results indicated that the strength of experimental steels was increased and the impact toughness was decreased with decreasing the coiling temperature. Steel A consisted of granular bainite, coarse bainitic ferrite lath and M/A constituent subjected to a coiling temperature of 560 oC. The yield strength, tensile strength and impact energy of 1/2-size Charpy impact at-20 oC were 740MPa, 1020MPa, and 33.5J, respectively, which were imperfect in strength. The effects of coiling temperature were potent on the refinement of microstructure and the size of M/A constituents. Steel B consisted of a small amount of lath bainite, fine M/A constituents and bainitic ferrite lath subjected to a lower coiling temperature of 520 oC. The yield strength, tensile strength and impact energy of 1/2-size Charpy impact at-20°C were 840MPa, 1030MPa, and 30.7J, respectively. However, steel C was composed of lath bainite and lath martensite subjected to the lowest coiling temperature of 380 oC (slightly above Ms point). The yield strength, tensile strength and impact energy of 1/2-size Charpy impact at-20 oC were 985MPa, 1200MPa and 22.5J, respectively, which could meet the demand of ultra high strength structural steel applications.

Abstract: This paper introduces the process and main equipments of hot stamping. The equipments composition of hot stamping production line, the equipments’ performance features and key technical indices are described in detail. The parts’ microstructure and mechanical properties after hot stamping are presented. It has been proved by practical production that the key technical indices of the domestic hot stamping production line, which has completely independent intellectual property, has reached the level of advanced products in the developed countries while has obvious cost advantage.

Abstract: Due to the complexity of hot stamping mechanism, including the coupling of material formability, thermal interaction and metallurgical microstructure, it makes the process design more difficult even with the aid of the finite element analysis. In the present study, the experimental platforms were developed to measure and derive the friction and heat transfer coefficients, respectively. The experiments at various elevated temperatures and contact pressures were conducted and the friction coefficients and heat transfer coefficients were obtained. A finite element model was also established with the experimental data and the material properties of the boron steel calculated from the JMatPro software. The finite element simulations for the hot stamping forming of an automotive door beam, including transportation analysis, hot forming analysis and die quenching analysis were then performed to examine the forming properties of the door beam. The validation of the finite element results by the production part confirms the efficiency and accuracy of the developed experimental platforms and the finite element analysis for the process design of hot stamping.

Abstract: Thermoforming is a typical method of ultra high strength steel plate’s forming for the automotive industry, where the 22MnB5 sheet is widely used. This article discusses how to simulate the thermoforming process of the 22MnB5 by using the thermal coupling software which is called Pam-stamp 2011. After that, we got the distribution of temperature、thickness and thinning rate of thermoforming parts.

Abstract: A low-carbon, titanium and niobium (Ti-Nb) bearing and a low-carbon titanium, niobium and copper (Ti-Nb-Cu) bearing ultra high strength steel have been thermo-mechanically processed on a laboratory scale unit. Evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of the above air cooled steels have been studied at different finish rolling temperatures (FRTs). Microstructural characterization reveals largely a mixture of granular bainite and bainitic ferrite along with the precipitation of microalloying carbide/carbonitride particles and/or Cu-rich precipitates. (Ti-Nb) bearing steel yields higher yield strength (1114-1143 MPa) along with higher tensile strength (1591-1688 MPa) and moderate ductility (12-13%) as compared to (Ti-Nb-Cu) bearing steel having yield strength (934-996 MPa) combined with tensile strength (1434-1464 MPa) and similar ductility (13%) for the selected range of 850-750°C FRT. Due to higher strength-ductility combinations, these present investigated steels can be regarded as the replacement material for ballistic applications as well as other sectors like defense, pipeline, cars, pressure vessels, ships, offshore platforms, aircraft undercarriages and rocket motor casings etc. Key words: Thermo-mechanical controlled processing, ultra high strength steel, microstructure, mechanical properties.

Abstract: Currently only few methods exist for thin steel sheet testing, especially based on fracture mechanics concept. Charpy impact test is one of the most used method for testing notch toughness and fracture behaviors because of the simplicity and the other advantages [. This article deals with toughness testing of automotive ultra high strength steel sheets (UHSS). Several standard types of toughness test that generate data for specific loading conditions and/or component design approaches exist. Two definition of toughness will be discussed: i) Charpy V-notch toughness, method includes joining of thin steel sheets to one compact unit and ii) material (tensile) toughness [. Two steels were used, DP1000 and 1400M of 1,8 mm thickness and two joining techniques: bonding with adhesives and joining with holders. Effect of material, joining technology, structural adhesives, and number of joined plates on the toughness values was quantified at the room temperature. Toughness of steels by the tensile test was added for comparison. Fracture surface was observed using scanning electron microscope analysis.

Abstract: The paper presents the results of strain measurement using two methods: videoextensometry (ME46) and digital image correlation (DIC)-ARAMIS. ME46 - allows measuring and monitoring the major and minor strain on a planar surface of a loaded object [1]. Experimental equipment uses a CCD camera for monitoring the process. The software calculates the displacements of contrast dots and subsequently the strain components are obtained. Another method for non-contact measurements is DIC technique; the measurements are done using three-dimensional image correlation system. The system uses two digital high-speed cameras providing a synchronized stereo view of the specimen where speckles are arranged on the surface. The results show the complete strain field during the tests, including details of the strain field when necking develops prior to the failure [2]. Experimental results obtained on ultra high strength automotive steels DP 1000 and 1400M grades during static tensile test are presented in the paper. The outputs of both are deformation maps. Advantages and disadvantages of both methods are compared.

Abstract: Hot stamping of the ultra high strength steel (UHSS) was studied to meet the requirements of lightweight of automobile. The coupled thermo-mechanical model for hot stamping was established with ABAQUS. Initial temperature of tools (die, punch, blank holder) and stamping speed were studied to insure the impact on the thickness, stress and strain of blank. It shows that punch fillet area is easy to crack. With the temperature of tools increasing, the sheet minimum thickness increases first and then decreases. With the increase of punch velocity, the sheet minimum thickness increases. Compared with the initial temperature of tools, punch velocity has a greater impact on the thickness. The simulation results are in agreement with the experimental results and provide a theoretical basis for the practical stamping process.

Abstract: In the present study, the investigation of weldability of new ultra-high strength - Weldox 1300 steel has been presented. The thermal simulated samples were used to investigate the effect of welding cooling time t_8/5 on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the heat affected zone (HAZ). In the frame of these investigation the microstructure was studied by the light (LM) and transmission electron microscopies (TEM). It has been shown that the microstructure of the Weldox 1300 steel is composed of tempered martensite, and inside the laths the minor precipitations mainly V(CN) and molybdenum carbide Mo₂C were observed. Mechanical properties of parent material were analysed by the tensile, impact and hardness tests. In details the influence of cooling time in the range of 2,5 - 300 s. on hardness, impact toughness and microstructure of simulated HAZ was studied by using welding thermal simulation test. The results show that the impact toughness and hardness decrease with the increase of t_8/5 under the condition of a single thermal cycle in simulated HAZ. The continuous cooling transformation diagrams (CCT-W for welding conditions) of Weldox 1300 steel for welding purposes was also elaborated. The steel Weldox 1300 for cooling time in the range of 2,5 - 4 s showed martensite microstructure, for time from 4 s to 60 s mixture of martensite and bainite, and for longer cooling time mixture of ferrite, bainite and martensite. The results indicated that the weldability of Weldox 1300 steel is limited and to avoid the cold cracking the preheating procedure or medium net linear heat input should be used.