Element distribution and difusion behavior in Q&P steel during partitioning

Carbon, manganese, and silicon distribution in quenching and partitioning （Q＆P） steel during partitioning process was investigated to reveal the diffusion behavior. The microstructure and chemical composition were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and three-dimensional atom probe. It is shown that the studied Q＆P steel consisted of martensite laths and thin, film-like retained austenite showing extraordinary phase transformation stability. Carbon atoms mostly diffused to the retained austenite from martensite at a higher partitioning temperature. In the experimental steel partitioned at 400℃ for 10-60 s, carbides or cementite formed through carbon segregation along martensite boundaries or within the martensite matrix. As a result of carbon atom diffusion from martensite to austenite, the carbon content in martensite could be ignored. When the partitioning process completed, the constrained carbon equilibrium （CCE） could be simplified. Results calculated by the simplified CCE model were similar to those of CCE, and the difference between the two optimum quenching temperatures, where the maximum volume fraction of the retained austenite can be obtained by the Q＆P process, was little.

Analysis on composition and inclusions of ballpoint pen tip steel

Ballpoint pen tip steel, a super free-cutting stainless steel, exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and good machining properties. In this study, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, metallographic microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the elemental contents in five ballpoint pen tips and their components, morphologies, and inclusion distributions. The results showed that the steels were all S–Pb–Te super free-cutting ferritic stainless steel. The free-cutting phases in the steels were mainly Mn S, Pb, and small amounts of Pb Te. Mn S inclusions were in the form of chain distributions, and the aspect ratio of each size inclusion in the chain was small. The stress concentration effect could substantially reduce the cutting force when the material was machined. Some of the Pb was distributed evenly in the steel matrix as fine particles（1–2 μm）, and the rest of the Pb was distributed at the middle or at both ends of the Mn S inclusions. The Pb plays a role in lubrication and melting embrittlement, which substantially increases the cutting performance. Pb Te was also usually distributed in the middle and at both ends of the Mn S inclusions, and Te could convert the sulfides into spindles, thereby improving the cutting performance of the steel.

Effects of nano-ceramic additives on high-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of 310S austenitic stainless steel

A novel approach to reduce Ni content for the 310S austenitic stainless steel was proposed.The nano-ceramic additive(L)was applied to 310S steel to replace part of Ni element and reduce the cost.By means of thermal simulation,X-ray diffraction,field emission scanning electron microscopy,and electron backscattered diffraction,the effects of nanoceramic additives on high-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the 310S steel were studied.The results indicate that the morphology and density of the(Fe,Cr)_(23)C_(6)carbides are varied,which play an important role in the high-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion behavior.After adding nano-ceramic additives,the high-temperature tensile strength and yield strength are improved simultaneously,in spite of a slight decrease in the total elongation.During high-temperature corrosion process,the mass gain of all the samples is parabolic with time.The mass gain is increased in the 310S steel with nano-ceramic additive,while the substrate thickness is significantly larger than 310S steel.The more stable and adherent FeCr_(2)O_(4)spinel form is the reason why the high-temperature corrosion resistance was increased.The(Fe,Cr)_(23)C_(6)carbides distribution along grain boundaries is detrimental to the high-temperature corrosion resistance.

Application of tellurium in free-cutting steels

Te is widely used in iron and steel industry. After adding a certain amount of Te in the steel, many physical and chemical properties can be improved. As a free-cutting element, a small amount of Te can significantly improve the machinability of steel. The existing form of Te in the steel, the modification law of MnS inclusion by Te and the influence rule and mechanism of Te on the machinability of steel are summarized and expounded in detail, providing a reference for further study and development of Te-containing free-cutting steels.

Effect of matrix structure on mechanical properties and dry rolling-sliding wear performance of alloyed ductile iron

The influence of matrix structure on mechanical properties and dry rolling-sliding wear performance of alloyed ductile iron was examined. Four kinds of alloyed ductile irons with different matrix structures were produced through an adequate balance of alloying elements. Tensile tests and dry rolling-sliding wear tests were carried out at room temperature. The results show that yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increase, while elongation decreases until the matrix fully becomes pearlite. The lower matrix hardness results in more graphite emerging on the contact surface, which yields the decrease in friction coefficient. Besides, the wear rate decreases with the increase in matrix hardness among alloyed ductile irons except that with full pearlite matrix, the wear performance of which seems to be deteriorated due to poor fracture toughness. The main wear mechanism is delamination under an air-cooling condition. Based on the results of mechanical and wear tests, ductile iron with about 80% pearlite exhibits better wear performance as well as relatively reasonable mechanical properties.

Influence of on-line tempering parameters on microstructure of medium-carbon steel

A new process involving ultra-fast cooling（UFC）and on-line tempering（OLT）was proposed to displace austempering process,which usually implements in a salt/lead bath and brings out serious pollution in the industrial application.The optimization of the new process,involving the evolution of the microstructure of medium-carbon steel during various cooling paths,was studied.The results show that the cooling path affected the final microstructure in terms of the fraction of pearlite,grain size and distribution of cementite in pearlite.Increasing the cooling rate or decreasing the OLT temperature contributes to restraining the transformation from austenite to ferrite,and simultaneously retains more austenite for the transformation of pearlite.It is also noted that bainite was observed in the microstructure at the cooling rate of 45℃/s and the OLT temperature of 500℃.Through either increasing the cooling rate or decreasing the OLT temperature,the distribution of cementite in pearlite is more dispersed and grain is refined.Taking the possibility of industrial applications into account,the optimal process of cooling at 45℃/s followed by OLT at 600℃ after hot rolling was determined,which achieves a microstructure containing nearly full pearlite with an average grain size of approximately 7μm and a homogeneously dispersed distribution of cementite in pearlite.

Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior and Deformation Mechanism of TWIP Steel

Low cycle fatigue behavior of TWIP （twinning induced plasticity） steel was investigated in axial symmetric tension-compression cyclic loading pattern. Fracture surfaces and microstructures were examined by optical, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopes. It was found that the fatigue life at the strain amplitude of 0.4 % is up to 15 000 cycles, which is much longer than TRIP780 and HSLAS00 steels. The strain hardening and softening features are significant until the strain amplitude comes to 1.25 ~. Persistent slip bands and tiny mechanical twinning layers were observed after fatigue deformation. Deformation mechanism of TWIP steel at low cycle fatigue process is not only twinning, but a complex of both twinning and persistent slip bands.

Thermomechanical analysis of triangular zone cracks in vertical continuous casting slabs based on viscoelastic-plastic model

The triangular zone cracks in 2101 duplex stainless steel produced by the vertical continuous caster have troubled company A for a long time. To simulate the temperature and thermal stress distributions in the solidification process of 2101 duplex stainless steel produced by the vertical continuous caster, a two-dimensional viscoelastic-plastic thermomechanically coupled finite element model was established by the secondary development of the commercial nonlinear finite element analysis software MSC Marc. The results show that the thermal stress on the surface reaches a maximum at the exit of the mould, and the highest thermal stresses at the centre of the wide face and the narrow face are 75 and 115 MPa, respectively. Meanwhile, the internal temperature of slab is still higher than the solidus temperature, resulting in no thermal stress. The slab shows different high-temperature strengths and suffers from different stresses at different positions; thus, the risk of cracking also varies. At a location of 6-8 m from the meniscus, the temperature of the triangular zone is 1270-1360℃ and the corresponding permissible high-temperature strength is about 10-30 MPa, while the thermal stress at this time is 60 MPa, which is higher than the high-temperature strength. As a result, triangular zone cracks form easily.

Dilatometric Analysis of Irreversible Volume Change during Phase Transformation in Pure Iron

One assumption underlying the conventional dilatometric analysis based on the lever rule is that the volume of the specimen changes isotropically during phase transformation,which conflicts with the irreversible length change shown in actual measurements.The contribution of this irreversible effect to the dilation data of pure iron upon heating and cooling was respectively quantified via conversion equations based on lattice parameters.A model considering the elastic strain and creep deformation was established for both the interpretation of the irreversible volume change and the discrepancy between the results measured by a dilatometer and a micrometer.