Validation of Calculated Thermal Parameters with Experimental Results in SOFCs

Eleven steel grades were designed to be used as metallic interconnects for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). Low carbon, high chromium steel with different additives of niobium, vanadium, aluminum, molybdenum, silicon, manganese and titanium were produced. Phase transformation temperatures;eutectoid temperature (Ac1) and temperature at which transformation of ferrite to austenite is completed during heating (Ac3) were measured by L75-76 dilatometer. The influence of the alloying elements on transformation temperatures was analyzed using MATLab. Considering the interaction between different alloying elements two equations for predicting Ac1 & Ac3 were obtained. The obtained Ac1 & Ac3 by these equations showed more compatibility than that obtained by traditional ones. In addition, the coefficients of thermal expansion of these steel grades were detected. The influences of chemical composition and temperature on the thermal expansion coefficient were analyzed;the obtained equations were verified to certain extent by using several kinds of steels. The predicted values were in good accordance with the experimental results which proof the validation of calculation model.

Electroslag Refining of CrNiMoWMnV Ultrahigh-Strength Steel

Increasing demands for ultrahigh-strength steels in commercial as well as military applications have raised interest in finding alternatives to the high-cost high-alloyed steel and super-alloys currently used, e.g. the use of economic low-alloy compositions processed via low-cost air induction melting and electroslag refining (ESR). In this work the yield of alloying elements and the removal of the impurities nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus as a result of electroslag refining (ESR) in a newly developed CrNiMoWMnV ultrahigh-strength steel (UHSS) have been studied in relation to their activities in the molten metal pool. Six experimental heats of CrNiMoWMnV UHSS with different chemical compositions were designed, melted in an induction furnace (IF) and refined using ESR. This was followed by hot forging of the ingots at 1100°C to 950°C. ESR using a CaF2-CaO-Al2O3 slag system led to a high yield in Cr, Ni, Mo, W, Mn and V, while the yield of Si is low. The desulphurization of all six UHSS grades was pronounced with most of the sulphur removed either to the slag or by gas reactions. The degree of dephosphorization was only 5% irrespective of the steel composition. On the other hand, denitrification (removal of nitrogen) was achieved. It ranged from 8% to 63% depending on the steel composition. The yield of the alloying elements and removal of impurities from the steel during ESR depends on the chemical and physical properties of the ESR slag and the activity of the elements in the molten state, taking into account elemental interactions.

Effect of cooling rate and composition on microstructure and mechanical properties of ultrahigh-strength steels

The influence of cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of two new ultrahigh-strength steels(UHSSs)with different levels of C,Cr and Ni has been evaluated for the as-cooled and untempered condition.One UHSS had higher contents of C and Cr,while the other one had a higher Ni content.On the basis of dilatation curves,microstructures,macrohardness and microhardness,continuous cooling transformation diagrams were constructed as a guide to heat treatment possibilities.Cooling rates(CRs)of 60,1 and 0.01°C/s were selected for more detailed investigations.Microstructural characterization was made by laser scanning confocal microscopy,field emission scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscatter diffraction,electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction.Mechanical properties were characterized using macrohardness,tensile and Charpy V-notch impact tests.UHSS with the higher C and Cr contents showed lower transformation temperatures and slower bainite formation kinetics than that with the higher Ni content.Higher cooling rates led to lower volume fractions and carbon contents of retained austenite together with finer prior austenite grain size,as well as effective final grain size and lath size.These changes were accompanied by higher yield and tensile strengths.The best combinations of strength and toughness were obtained with martensitic microstructures and by avoiding the formation of granular bainite accompanied by proeutectoid carbides at low CR.For the cooling rates studied,UHSS with the higher C and Cr contents showed the higher hardness and strength but at the cost of toughness.

Effect of Tempcore Processing on Mitigating Problems of Tramp Elements in Low C Steel Produced from Recycled Material

The effect of tramp elements in the steel was intensively studied. It was found that the solubility of tramp elements decreased as the temperature decreased under normal cooling conditions. The tramp elements （Cu, Pb, and Sn） diffused toward the grain boundaries, and intermetallic compounds or rich phases which have low melting points were formed, causing reduction in ductility and failure during the bending test. Rebars with Cu content which were left to air cooling after the last step showed drop in elongation, up to 32 %. On contrast, the samples with high per- centage of tramp elements （Cu, Pb, and Sn） in the billet, which were rolled and subjected to Tempcore process, did not show drop in elongation or failure in bending test （especially for rebar with diameter less than 32 mm）; however, copper must be less than 0.35 mass% to prevent the precipitation of Cu-rich zones of critical size in 32 mm. When quench- ing was applied, the tramp elements remained in the interstitial supersaturated solid solution positions inside the grains and would not have the chance to diffuse and form precipitates, hindering the copper precipitates from reac- hing the critical size necessary for impairing the properties. This would hinder the occurrence of the harmful effect of the tramp elements on the elongation or the hot shortness after rolling.