Materials Science Forum Vols. 638-642

Abstract: Fe-0.15%C-1.5%Mn-0.2%Si (Nb-free alloy) and Fe-0.15%C-1.5%Mn-0.2%Si-0.03%Nb (Nb-added alloy) were continuously cooled to room temperature at constant cooling rates in the range from 0.1 to 20K/s. At lower cooling rates, such as 0.1K/s, the Nb addition retards the ferrite transformation, resulting in a decrease in the transformation temperature and an increase in the volume fraction of bainite. The fraction of martensite-austenite constituent (MA) increases by the Nb addition and the largest fraction of MA, about 0.5 %, is observed in the Nb-added specimen cooled at 5K/s. In the specimens cooled at 5K/s, relatively coarse bainite without cementite precipitation is formed near the austenite () grain boundary in both alloys. Most of MA is localized between such relatively coarse bainitic ferrite (BF). On the other hand, MA is hardly observed in the bainite formed with cementite precipitation in  grain. Based on microstructure observation of the continuously cooled specimens down to intermediate temperatures followed by quenching, it is concluded that small-sized untransformed  near  grain boundary partly remains as MA whereas relatively larger untransformed  in the  grain decompose into bainite with cementite precipitation.

Abstract: The in-situ X-ray diffraction observations of the bainitic transformation of silicon alloyed steels were performed using the high temperature X-ray diffraction technique. The experimental results have shown that the volume fraction and carbon content of austenite remains a constant value which indicate that the transformation is almost finished after the early stages of austempering transformation. Asymmetry diffraction peaks are obtained for samples at the early stage of transformation due to a heterogeneous distribution of carbon in different regions of austenite and thus exists two types of austenite: low-carbon austenite (γLC) and the high-carbon austenite (γHC). The experimental results supports that the bainite growth is by a non-diffusive mechanism when austempering temperature is in the lower bainite transformation temperature.

Abstract: Bainite in microalloyed steel possesses excellent synthetic mechanical properties. However, it will probably evolve towards equilibrium microstructure when it is subjected to thermal disturbance. In addition, bainite frequently undergoes more or less deformation during manufacture of steel structure. In the present investigation, cold deformation test, isothermal heat treatment, hardness measurement, optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to detect evolution behavior of bainite isothermally held below A1 temperature. It was found that hardness of samples drops in generally during the isothermal heat treatment. Meanwhile, bainite evolves gradually into polygonal ferrite. Cold deformation enhances the initial hardness of samples while it largely accelerates softening and evolution of microstructure towards equilibrium one during heating. Almost same effects are produced by tensile strain and compressive strain. Higher solubility product of carbon and niobium results in higher thermal stability of bainite. Cold deformation cause dislocations in bainitic laths to distribute heterogeneously and most dislocations pile up along boundaries. During isothermal holding, dislocations redistribute further followed by extending of low dislocation density areas across lath boundaries. Finally, polygonal ferrite nucleates in those areas and grows gradually.

Abstract: The aim of this work was the study of the heat treatment optimisation of high chrome steels used for the manufacture of rolling rolls in order to obtain a final product with a high hardness and wear resistance and taking into account the very large dimensions typical of these products. The effect of modifying the maintenance temperature and time during the different phases of the heat treatment on the microstructure and hardness of this product was evaluated. The necessity of adjusting the temperature and maintenance time of the quenching heat treatment in order to obtain a martensitic/bainitic matrix with a low austenite content followed by two tempering treatments was demonstrated as the best way to obtain the optimal properties of the product for this particular application.

Abstract: After the heat treatment at 1200 oC 30 minutes followed by water cooling and 700 oC 4 hours for HR3C (S31042) boiler steel, the bar-like carbides precipitate in grain boundaries and within grains. It was found that the bar-like carbides nucleate in the grain boundaries and grew into grains in a parallel manner. With the help of TEM, the carbides were characterized to be M23C6, with a length of about 6μm and width of 0.6-0.8μm. Through observing crept specimens after testing at 700 oC, it was found that fine and dispersed MX (about 20nm) as well as dislocation walls exist inside grains, except bar-like and granular M23C6 carbide.

Abstract: Advanced high-strength steels offer a great potential for the further development of automobile bodies-in-white due to their combined mechanical properties of high formability and strength. New types of grades – multi-phase steels, superductile steels and density reduced steels – are under development at ThyssenKrupp Steel with tensile strength levels of up to 1000 MPa in combination with excellent formability for the high demands of cold formed structural automobile components. New forming technologies at increased temperatures – hot forming, semi-hot forming and superplastic forming - enable the processing of complex parts with extreme high strength. ThyssenKrupp Steel identifies potential future steels and technology concepts by technology monitoring and evaluates their potential for future applications in pre-development projects. University research institutions are significantly involved in this essential future oriented challenge. Seminal concepts are being implemented together with automotive manufactures by simultaneous engineering processes with coordinated phases of production and testing.

Abstract: At the Department of Ferrous Metallurgy (IEHK) steels grades in the system Fe-Mn-C are under investigation, because extraordinary mechanical properties of these steels result from the metal-physical deformation-mechanism. The microstructure forming and the deformation-mechanism are regulated by the chemical composition. The aim of the project, in the frame of SFB 761, is focused on the formation of model materials with different alloying composition and cooling rates, as well as the determination of melting and solidification parameters and their influencing factors. One task is the metallurgical treatment of critical elements for high manganese steels; the gases hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. A problem to be solved is that the melting of high manganese steels tends to manganese losses in the liquid.

Abstract: Metallurgical industry can be considered as a field most accommodated for perception of nano-technologies, which in the near future will be able to provide large scale production and high level of investments return. Specially noted should physical and mechanical properties of nano-structured steels and alloys (strength, plasticity, toughness and so on) which will cardinally excel characteristics of respective materials developed using conventional technologies. Investigations have shown that basic principles of selection of a structure up to nano-level for low-carbon low-alloy steels can be put forward, that is: 1) morphological similarity of structural components, pre-domination of globular type structures due to reduction in carbon components and rational alloying; 2) formation of fine-dispersed carbide phase of globular morphology; 3) exclusion of lengthy interphase boundaries; 4) formation of fragmented structure with boundaries close to wide-angle ones, which inherited structure of fine-grained deformed austenite.

Abstract: The possibilities to improve the properties of steels for tubes exposed at high temperatures are explored. The mechanical properties and forming behavior of an experimental casting of type 9Cr-ferritic steels, P92, containing 2%W, are studied. The hardenability was determined by means of continuous cooling diagrams associated with hardness measurements and microstructure observations. Tensile tests from room temperature to 650°C were carried out to determine the variation of the strength and ductility in this temperature range. In addition, Charpy impact tests were conducted to characterize the toughness of the steel and the ductile-brittle transition temperature. Finally, hot torsion tests at various temperatures and strain rates were carried out and the generalized stresses and strains to rupture for each test are determined. With these data forming stability maps were generated to characterize the best forming conditions.

Abstract: In this work a hot forming strategy, consisting of forging and hot rolling, to homogenize casted blocks of high-manganese steels with 0.3 % carbon and 22 % manganese is introduced. The resulting distribution of carbon and manganese is evaluated by microprobe scans. The micro-segregation of manganese could be reduced from 7 weight percent to 2. To create the obtained hot forming strategy hot compression tests have been carried out. The deformation behavior has been characterized for two steels with 22 % manganese and between 0.3 and 0.7 % carbon content in the temperature range between 700 and 1200°C and strain rates between 0.1 and 10 s-1.