Effect of B_(2)O_(3) enrichment on microstructural inhomogeneity of high strength steel weldments

The present work attributes the role of boron on the high strength steel submerged arc weld using an undermatching filler wire.Mild steel filler wire was used for welding in constant machine parameters setting to evaluate the joint strength due to the enrichment of boron.To change the chemical composition of the weld metal,boron trioxide powder was blended with virgin flux in various proportions(2.5%−12.5%),which led to an increase in boron weight percentage in the range of 0−0.0065.The results show that weld metals(WM)optical micrographs depict the various types of ferrites,pearlites and secondary phases like martensite-austenite(M-A).Acicular ferrite content was influenced by the boron trioxide addition.Heat affected zone(HAZ)micrographs were not showing appreciable changes with oxide enrichment.Hardness and toughness of weld metals showed the mixed trend with B_(2)O_(3) enrichment whereas,small reduction in ultimate tensile strength(UTS)and yield strength(YS)was observed.

Product Development of High Strength and Toughness Spring Flat Steel

With the continuous development of mechanical industry,higher requirements are put forward for the comprehensive properties of spring steel.The chemical composition and production process of spring flat steel are designed to meet the requirements of high strength and high toughness of spring flat steel,through the test,the product surface quality and internal quality all meet the national standards,the performance indicators to meet user requirements.

Effects of chromium on the corrosion and electrochemical behaviors of ultra high strength steels

The effects of chromium on the corrosion and the electrochemical behaviors of ultra high strength steels were studied by the salt spray test and electrochemical methods. The results show that ultra high strength steels remain martensite structures and have anodic dissolution characteristic with an increase of chromium content. There is no typical passive region on the polarization curves of an ultra high strength stainless steel, AerMet 100 steel, and 300M steel. However, chromium improves the corrosion resistance of the stainless steel remarkably. It has the slowest corrosion rate in the salt spray test, one order of magnitude less than that of AerMet 100 and 300M steels. With the increase of chromium content, the polarization resistance becomes larger, the corrosion potential shifts towards the positive direction with a value of 545 mV, and the corrosion current density decreases in electrochemical measures in 3.5wt% NaCl solutions. Because of the higher content of chromium, the ultra high strength stainless steel has a better corrosion resistance than AerMet 100 and 300M steels.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of C-Mn-Cr-Nb and C-Mn-Si-Nb ultra-high strength dual-phase steels

The microstructures and mechanical properties of C-Mn-Cr-Nb and C-Mn-Si-Nb ultra-high strength dual-phase steels were studied by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and tensile test. The results show that Si can promote the transformation of austenite （γ） to ferrite （α）, enlarge the （α＋γ） region, and increase the aging stability of martensite by inhibiting carbide precipitation. Adding Cr leads to the formation of retained austenite and martensite/austenite （M/A） constituents, as well as the decomposi- tion of martensite during the overaging stage. Both of the steels show higher initial strain-hardening rates and two-stage strain-hardening characteristics. The C-Mn-Si-Nb steel shows the higher strain-hardening rate than the C-Mn-Cr-Nb steel in the first stage; however, there is no significant difference in the second stage. Although the tensile strength and elongation of the two steels both exceed 1000 MPa and 15%, respectively, the comprehensive mechanical properties of the C-Mn-Si-Nb steel are superior.

Ultra-high cycle fatigue behavior of high strength steel with carbide-free bainite/martensite complex microstructure

The ultra-high cycle fatigue behavior of a novel high strength steel with carbide-free bainite/martensite （CFB/M） complex microstructure was studied. The ultra-high cycle fatigue properties were measured by ultrasonic fatigue testing equipment at a frequency of 20 kHz. It is found that there is no horizontal part in the S-N curve and fatigue fracture occurs when the life of specimens exceeds 10^7 cycles. In addition, the origination of fatigue cracks tends to transfer from the surface to interior of specimens as the fatigue cycle exceeds 10^7, and the fatigue crack originations of many specimens are not induced by inclusions, but by some kind of ＂soft structure＂. It is shown that the studied high strength steel performs good ultra-high cycle fatigue properties. The ultra-high fatigue mechanism was discussed and it is suggested that specific CFB/M complex microstructure of the studied steel contributes to its superior properties.

Seismic performance of steel reinforced ultra high-strength concrete composite frame joints

To investigate the seismic performance of a composite frame comprised of steel reinforced ultra high-strength concrete （SRUHSC） columns and steel reinforced concrete （SRC） beams, six interior frame joint specimens were designed and tested under low cyclically lateral load. The effects of the axial load ratio and volumetric stirrup ratio were studied on the characteristics of the frame joint performance including crack pattern, failure mode, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, strength degradation and rigidity degradation. It was found that all joint specimens behaved in a ductile manner with flexural-shear failure in the joint core region while plastic hinges appeared at the beam ends. The ductility and energy absorption capacity of joints increased as the axial load ratio decreased and the volumetric stirIup ratio increased. The displacement ductility coefficient and equivalent damping coefficient of the joints fell between the corresponding coefficients of the steel reinforced concrete （SRC） frame joint and RC frame joint. The axial load ratio and volumetric stirrup ratio have less influence on the strength degradation and more influence on the stiffness degradation. The stiffness of the joint degrades more significantly for a low volumetric stirrup ratio and high axial load ratio. The characteristics obtained from the SRUHSC composite frame joint specimens with better seismic performance may be a useful reference in future engineering applications.

High-temperature properties and microstructure of Mo microalloyed ultra-high-strength steel

The high-temperature mechanical properties and microstructure of forging billets of C-Si-Mn-Cr and C-Si-Mn-Cr-Mo ultra-high-strength cold-rolled steels（tensile strength≥1000 MPa,elongation≥10%） were studied.Through the comparison of reduction in area and hot deformation resistance at 600-1300°C,the Mo-containing steel was found to possess a higher strength and a better plasticity than the Mo-free one.The equilibrium phase diagram and atom fraction of Mo in different phases at different temperatures were calculated by Thermo-Calc software（TCW）.The results analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy and TCW show that precipitates in the Mo-containing steel are primarily M23C6,which promote pearlite formation.The experimental data also show that a lower ductility point existing in the Mo-free steel at 850°C is eliminated in the Mo-containing one.This is mainly due to the segregation of Mo at grain boundaries investigated by electron probe microanalysis（EPMA）,which improves the strength of grain boundaries.

Effects of the shape and size of rectangular inclusions on the fatigue cracking behavior of ultra-high strength steels

The fatigue cracking behavior of ultra-high strength steels containing rectangular inclusions of small sizes were investigated based on in situ observations by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The size and shape of rectangular inclusions affect markedly the initiation site and propagation path of a fatigue crack. Especially, the initiation site of a fatigue crack depends strongly on the angle between the long-axis of a rectangle inclusion and the loading direction, and the length/width ratio of this rectangle inclusion because the residual stress distribution fields vary with these conditions. The results coincide very well with those of finite element analysis.

Influence of original microstructure on the transformation behavior and mechanical properties of ultra-high-strength TRIP-aided steel

The transformation behavior and tensile properties of an ultra-high-strength transformation-induced plasticity （TRIP） steel （0.2C-2.0Si-I.SMn） were investigated by different heat treatments for automobile applications. The results show that F-TRIP steel, a tradi- tional TRIP steel containing as-cold-rolled ferfite and pearlite as the original microstructure, consists of equiaxed grains of intercritical ferrite surrounded by discrete particles of M/RA and B. In contrast, M-TRIP steel, a modified TRiP-aided steel with martensite as the original mi- crostlucture, containing full martensite as the original microstructure is comprised of lath-shaped grains of ferrite separated by lath-shaped martensite/retained austenite and bainite. Most of the austenite in F-TRIP steel is granular, while the austenite in M-TRIP steel is lath-shaped. The volume fraction of the retained austenite as well as its carbon content is lower in F-TRIP steel than in M-TRIP steel, and austenite grains in M-TRIP steel are much finer than those in F-TRIP steel. Therefore, M-TRIP steel was concluded to have a higher austenite stability, re- sulting in a lower transformation rate and consequently contributing to a higher elongation compared to F-TRIP steel. Work hardening be- havior is also discussed for both types of steel.

Ultrasonic Analysis of Cracking Propagation Morphology in the Fusion Zone of High Strength Steel

Cracking morphology in the fusion zone of HQ130 high strength steel was researched by 'the y-slit test' and 'three-point bend test', ultrasonic test and microscope. HQ130 and QJ63 high strength steel was welded by Ar+CO2 gas shielded arc welding under the condition without preheating. Experimental results indicated that welding cracks were produced in the partially melted zone of the weld root of HQ130 steel side and propagated parallel to the fusion zone. The cracks were developed alternatively between the weld and the partially melted zone, and are not strictly ruptured at W/F (weld metal/fusion zone) boundary surface. Controlling weld heat input (E) about 16 kJ/cm could make the cracking rate lowest and satisfy the performance requirement of welded joint zone.

Manifestations in Corrosion Prophase of Ultra-high Strength Steel 30CrMnSiNi2 A in Sodium Chloride Solutions

The corrosion behaviors of ultra-high strength steel 30CrMnSiNi2A in sodium chloride solution were studied by weight loss and electrochemical methods. The morphology of corrosion products was observed using scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and the composition was analyzed using an energy dispersive spectroscopy（EDS） and X-Ray diffraction （XRD）. The experimental results showed that the corrosion came from pitting corrosion and the rust layer was composed of outer rust layer γ-FeOOH and inner rust layer Fe_2O_3 with a little β-FeOOH. The correlation between corrosion rate and test time accorded with exponential rule. The corrosion current measured by polarization methods was higher than that calculated by weight loss method after a long-time immersion, the main reason was that,β-FeOOH and γ-Fe_2O_3 transformed by γ-FeOOH led to overestimating corrosion rate. The processes of corrosion prophase were obtained from XRD and EIS results. The corrosion product, Fe（OH）_2 formed at the initial stage stayed at a non-steady state and then consequently transferred to γ-FeOOH, γ-Fe_2O_3 or β-FeOOH.

Prediction and Verification of Resistance Spot Welding Results of Ultra-High Strength Steels through FE Simulations

Resistance spot welding (RSW) is the most common welding method in automotive engineering due to its low cost and high ability of automation. However, physical weldability testing is costly, time consuming and dependent of supplies of material and equipment. Finite Element (FE) simulations have been utilized to understand, verify and optimize manufacturing processes more efficiently. The present work aims to verify the capability of FE models for the RSW process by comparing simulation results to physical experiments for materials used in automotive production, with yield strengths from approximately 280 MPa to more than 1500 MPa. Previous research has mainly focused on lower strength materials. The physical weld results were assessed using destructive testing and an analysis of expulsion limits was also carried out. Extensive new determination of material data was carried out. The material data analysis was based on physical testing of material specimens, material simulation and comparison to data from literature. The study showed good agreement between simulations and physical testing. The mean absolute error of weld nugget size was 0.68 mm and the mean absolute error of expulsion limit was 1.10 kA.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Aer Met 100 Ultra-high Strength Steel Joints by Laser Welding

AerMet100 ultra-high strength steel plates with a thickness of 2 mm were welded using a COz laser welding system. The influences of the welding process parameters on the morphology and microstructure of the welding joints were investigated, and the mechanical property of the welding joints was analyzed. The experimental results showed that the fusion zone of welding joint mainly consisted of columnar grains and a fine dendrite substructure grew epitaxially from the matrix. With the other conditions remaining unchanged, a finer weld microstructure was along with the scanning speed increase. The solidification microstructure gradually transformed from cellular crystal into dendrite crystal and the spaces of dendrite secondary arms rose from the fusion line to the center of the fusion zone. In the fusion zone of the weld, the rapid cooling caused the formation of martensite, which led the microhardness of the fusion zone higher than that of the matrix and the heat affected zone. The tensile strength of the welding joints was tested as 1 700 MPa, which was about 87% of the matrix. However, the tensile strength of the welding joints without defects existed was tested as 1832 MPa, which was about 94% of the matrix.

Effect of Quenching Parameters on Mechanical Property of Ultra High Strength Steel BR1500HS Based on Response Surface Methodology

Hot stamping of high strength steels is defined as a process in which blank is heated to the temperature of the austenite stabilization region for a definite time and then formed and quenched simultaneously in a mold with cooling channels. During this process,the processing parameters of austenite temperature and soaking time have strong effects on the mechanical properties such as quenching hardness,tensile strength and elongation. Hence,it is necessary to investigate the relationship between the mechanical properties and the two processing parameters. In this paper,the orthogonal experiment with two factors and five levels was applied, and the experimental data based on the orthogonal experiment was acquired. Based on the data,regression models were set up and the results of the analysis of variance( ANOVA) showed that it is reliable to predict the quenching hardness,tensile strength and elongation by the regression models. Besides,the optimal results of each single object were obtained based on response surface methodology( RSM),and global optimums was gained by employing ideal point method in which the quenching hardness,and tensile strength and elongation were considered simultaneously.

Analysis of the effect of geometrical parameters on fatigue performance of spot-weld joint for ultra-high strength steel

This paper studied the spot welding structure of ultra-high strength steel 22MnB5.ANSYS software was adopted to simulate its static strength;BS5400 algorithm was used to calculate the fatigue life;and the grouping method was used to test the fatigue performance of tensile shear spot weld specimens.The simulation results were in good agreement with the experimental values.Based on the validation of the simulation method,influences of different structural parameters on static strength and fatigue life were explored by adopting single factor.The results showed that within the selected structure parameter range,increase of the sheet thickness,nugget diameter,sheet width and overlapping length can lead to longer fatigue life.Besides,the fatigue life of spot weld took on a linear relationship with the overlapping length,a DoseResp relationship with the sheet thickness,and a single exponential decay relationship with the sheet width and the nugget diameter.Moreover,in order to estimate the impact from various parameters on the fatigue life of the specimens,the Taguchi orthogonal design method was applied in the simulation design.The simulating result indicated that influence of the sheet thickness on fatigue life was the most significant.In addition,the effects of nugget diameter,sheet width and overlapping length on fatigue life were reduced in turn.

High-cycle Fatigue Fracture Behavior of Ultrahigh Strength Steels

The fatigue fracture behavior of four ultrahigh strength steels with different melting processes and therefore different inclusion sizes were studied by using a rotating bar two-point bending fatigue machine in the high-cycle regime up to 107 cycles of loading. The fracture surfaces were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy （FESEM）. It was found that the size of inclusion has significant effect on the fatigue behavior. For AtSI 4340 steel in which the inclusion size is smaller than 5.5 μm, all the fatigue cracks except one did not initiated from inclusion but from specimen surface and conventional S-N curve exists. For 65Si2MnWE and Aermet 100 steels in which the average inclusion sizes are 12.2 and 14.9 μm, respectively, fatigue cracks initiated from inclusions at lower stress amplitudes and stepwise S-N curves were observed. The S-N curve displays a continuous decline and fatigue failures originated from large oxide inclusion for 60Si2CrVA steel in which the average inclusion size is 44.4 pro. In the case of internal inclusion-induced fractures at cycles beyond about 1×10^6 for 65Si2MnWE and 60Si2CrVA steels, inclusion was always found inside the fish-eye and a granular bright facet （GBF） was observed in the vicinity around the inclusion. The GBF sizes increase with increasing the number of cycles to failure Nf in the long-life regime. The values of stress intensity factor range at crack initiation site for the GBF are almost constant with Nf, and are almost equal to that for the surface inclusion and the internal inclusion at cycles lower than about 1×10^6. Neither fish-eye nor GBF was observed for Aermet 100 steel in the present study.

Research and development of hot-rolled ultra-high strength steel at Baosteel

The effects of the composition and cooling process on the microstructures and properties of hot-rolled ultra-high strength low alloy （HSLA） steel, complex phase steel and martensite steel were studied in the laboratory. And S700MC and MP1200 ultra-high strength steels were trial produced at the 1 880 mm hot-rolling line of Baosteel. Compared with conventional hot-rolled high strength products,the idea that water is alloy was applied in the newly developed hot-rolled ultra-high strength steel. By the use of the economical composition design and controlled cooling after hot-rolling effectively,ultra-high strength steel of different steel grades can be obtained.

Seismic Performance of Steel Reinforced Ultra High-strength Concrete Columns

The seismic performance of steel reinforced ultra-high-strength concrete columns(SRSHC) with various shear-span ratios(λ) were studied through a series of experiments.The concrete compressive cube strength value of experimental specimens ranged from 92.9 MPa to 108.1 MPa.The main experimental variables affecting seismic performance of specimens were axial load ratio and stirrup reinforcement ratio.The columns(λ=2.75) subjected to low cyclic reversed lateral loads failed mainly in the flexural-shear mode failure and columns(λ≤2.0) subjected to low cyclic reversed lateral loads failed mainly in the shear mode failure.Shear force-displacement hysteretic curves and skeleton curves were drawn.Coefficient of the specimen displacement ductility was calculated.Experimental results indicate that ductility decreases with axial pressure ratio increasing,and increases with stirrup reinforcement ratio increasing.Limit values of axial pressure ratio and minimum stirrup reinforcement ratio of columns are proposed to satisfy definite ductility requirement.The suggested values provide a reference for engineering application and for the amendment of the current Chinese design code of steel reinforced concrete composite structures.

Corrosion Behavior of Ultra-high Strength Steel 300M in Different Simulated Marine Environments

Corrosion behavior of 300M in neutralcorrosion environments containing Na Clsimulated by totalimmersion（TI）,salt spraying（SS）and periodic immersion（PI）,was investigated by surface analysis techniques,corrosion weight-loss method,and electrochemicalmeasurements.In totalimmersion environment,rust on the steelconsisted of a porous outer rust layer with main constituent of γ-Fe OOH,and an inner rust layer of dense Fe_3O_4 film with network broad cracks.In salt spraying environment,outer rust with main composition of γ-Fe OOH/α-Fe OOH/Fe_3O_4 was compact,and inner rust showed dense Fe_3O_4 film.Rust formed by periodic immersion exhibited a compact outer rust layer with constituent of α-Fe OOH/γ-Fe OOH/Fe_3O_4 and an inner rust layer with composition of α-Fe OOH/α-Fe_2O_3;inner rust showed a ultra-dense film adherent to the steel.The corrosion rate showed a rule of vss（salt spraying）〉vti（totalimmersion）〉〉vpi（periodic immersion）in 0-240 h,and vss≈vti？vpiin 240-720 h.The rust formed by periodic immersion was dense and compact,with stable electrochemicalproperties,and had excellent protection on the steel.Humidity and oxygen concentration in allthe environments played major roles in rust formation.

Strength evaluation of ultra-high strength steels and spot weld of automotive bodies

Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion was applied to predict the fracture of high strength steels. A Marciniak-type biaxial stretching test of the four classes of high strength steels was carried out to measure the material damage limit of Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion. Furthermore, in order to improve the simulation accuracy, the local anisotropic parameters depending on the plastic strain （strain dependent model of anisotropy ） were measured by digital image correlation method and incorporated into Hill＇ s anisotropic yield condition by authors. To confirm the validity of Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion, the uniaxial tensile tests based on JIS No. 5 tensile specimen were performed. The force-displacement history and fracture happening strokes were predicted with high accuracy. Then, Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion was applied to predict the failure of four types of spot welded joints. To simulate the local bending and warping deformations around the heataffected zone, the discrete Kirchhoff triangle element was adapted. FEM results for four classes of high strength steels and four types of spot welded joints had a good correlation with experimental ones.