Development in oxide metallurgy for improving the weldability of high -strength low-alloy steel-Combined deoxidizers and microalloying elements

The mechanisms of oxide metallurgy include inducing the formation of intragranular acicular ferrite(IAF)using micron-sized inclusions and restricting the growth of prior austenite grains(PAGs)by nanosized particles during welding.The chaotically oriented IAF and refined PAGs inhibit crack initiation and propagation in the steel,resulting in high impact toughness.This work summarizes the com-bined effect of deoxidizers and alloying elements,with the aim to provide a new perspective for the research and practice related to im-proving the impact toughness of the heat affected zone(HAZ)during the high heat input welding.Ti complex deoxidation with other strong deoxidants,such as Mg,Ca,Zr,and rare earth metals(REMs),can improve the toughness of the heat-affected zone(HAZ)by re-fining PAGs or increasing IAF contents.However,it is difficult to identify the specific phase responsible for IAF nucleation because ef-fective inclusions formed by complex deoxidation are usually multiphase.Increasing alloying elements,such as C,Si,Al,Nb,or Cr,con-tents can impair HAZ toughness.A high C content typically increases the number of coarse carbides and decreases the potency of IAF formation.Si,Cr,or Al addition leads to the formation of undesirable microstructures.Nb reduces the high-temperature stability of the precipitates.Mo,V,and B can enhance HAZ toughness.Mo-containing precipitates present good thermal stability.VN or V(C,N)is ef-fective in promoting IAF nucleation due to its good coherent crystallographic relationship with ferrite.The formation of the B-depleted zone around the inclusion promotes IAF formation.The interactions between alloying elements are complex,and the effect of adding dif-ferent alloying elements remains to be evaluated.In the future,the interactions between various alloying elements and their effects on ox-ide metallurgy,as well as the calculation of the nucleation effects of effective inclusions using first principles calculations will become the focus of oxide metallurgy.

Effects of Drilling in Mastoid Cavity over Hearing in the Contralateral Ear

In advanced otological surgeries, powered instruments form an indispensable part. The risk of deterioration to hearing in the operated ear is a commonly discussed issue, however, there remains a possibility of affecting the hearing in the contralateral ear due to transcranial vibration. So in this study we aimed to assess the possibility of the non-operated ear being affected by the noise generated during ear surgeries and whether it is temporary or permanent in nature. Methodology: This study included 63 patients diagnosed with unilateral disease who underwent mastoid surgery. Preoperatively all the patients were subjected to Pure tone audiometry (PTA), Transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). Patients were operated using both cutting and diamond burrs of ranging from sizes 1 - 6 mm. Total drilling time was recorded. Results: Post-operative hearing evaluation was done at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks. The sound emitted by various burrs was recorded by Sound Level Meter. Out of the total 58 patients that followed up, 46 showed change in at least one of the hearing parameters. Patients showing changes had a higher drilling time as compared to those with no changes. Of these, the changes associated with the total drilling time and with cutting burr time were found to be significant. The hearing changes seen on PTA, TEOAE and DPOAE were transient in nature with only one patient having a persistent decreased high frequency threshold at the end of 12 weeks. It was also found that cutting burrs produce more sound as compared to diamond burrs and a larger size burr of a type produces more sound than a smaller one of its type. Conclusion: The drilling of mastoid bone during ear surgeries can transiently impair the hearing in the contralateral ear which is of great significance in patients with only one hearing ear.

Oxidation behavior of Zr-containing Ti_2AlNb-based alloy at 800°C

The oxidation behavior of Ti?22Al?(27?x)Nb?xZr (x=0, 1, 6) alloys at 800 °C for exposure time up to 100 h was examined. It is shown that oxidation rate of experimental alloys obeys the parabolic kinetics. Ti?22Al?26Nb?1Zr alloy demonstrates more excellent oxidation resistance than the other two alloys. The main oxidation products are TiO2, Al2O3 and AlNbO4 phases for all these alloys. For the Ti?22Al?26Nb?1Zr alloy, Zr addition can modify the growth mechanism of oxide scale, which can effectively hinder the diffusion of oxygen. Whereas, reaction of Zr with oxygen leads to the formation of ZrO2 precipitates for the Ti?22Al?21Nb?6Zr alloy, which promotes the oxygen ingress into the substrate. Meanwhile, oxidation affected zones, including internal-oxidation layer and oxygen-enriched zone, are present beneath the outmost oxide scale. The difference in these zones is derived from the phase constitution in the starting Ti?22Al?(27?x)Nb?xZr (x=0, 1, 6) alloys.

The Evolution of Drought in China and Its Impact on Agriculture in Recent Years

[Objective] To research the evolution of drought in China and its impact on agriculture in recent years. [Method] We analyzed land area covered, area affected, and disaster rate arising from severe drought occurring in China in the period 1978-2008, in conjunction with the planting area of crops in China and forcing of drought on the planting area of crops. [Result] In recent years, a large portion of provinces and cities in China, especially the southern areas, the drought has not yet been eased, but tends to deteriorate; since 1978, the area affected in China occasioned by drought has been rapidly mounting, and total crop failure area caused by drought, on the whole, also assumes trend of rise. In the mean time, population explosion and economic development are responsible for dwindling of planting area of grain, and tardy rise in total grain yield. [Conclusion] Constructing harmonious valley and achieving concordant coexistence between human and water, is to regulate human behaviors and further strengthen related ecological protection work, on the basis of scientifically understanding and correctly harnessing natural law.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of laser welded wrought fine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy

Fine-grained ZK60 magnesium alloy sheets of 2.0 mm in thickness were successfully joined by laser beam welding （LBW）. The effects of welding parameters including laser power and welding speed on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. A sound bead, with the ultimate tensile strength （UTS） of 300 MPa and elongation of 12.0%, up to 92.5% and 65% of those of the base metal, respectively, is obtained with the optimized welding parameters. No liquation cracking is visible in the partially melted zone （PMZ） owing to the inhibitory action of the fine dispersed precipitates and the fine-grained microstructure in the as-rolled magnesium alloy sheets. The fusion zone （FZ） is featured with the equiaxed dendritic grains of the average grain size about 8 μm, which are similar to those in the heat affected zone （HAZ）, and this contributes to the relatively high joint efficiency.

MICROSTRUCTURE AND INCLUSION CHARACTERIZATION IN THE SIMULATED COARSE-GRAIN HEAT AFFECTED ZONE WITH LARGE HEAT INPUT OF A Ti-Zr-MICROALLOYED HSLA STEEL

The microstructure and the characteristics of the inclusions embedded in ferrite matrix in simulated coarse-grain heat affected zone (CGHAZ) of a Ti-Zr-treated high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel have been investigated. The microstructure of the simulated CGHAZ dominantly consisted of intragranular acicular ferrite (IAF) combining with a small amount of polygonal ferrite (PF), widmanst tten ferrite (WF), bainite ferrite (BF), pearlite and martensite-austenite (M-A) islands. The PF, WF and BF were generally observed at the prior austenite grain boundaries and the interlocking acicular ferrite was usually found intragranularly. It was found that the inclusions were composed of Ti2O3, ZrO2, Al2O3 locating at the center of the particles and MnS lying on the surface layer of the inclusions. The intragranular complex inclusions promoted the acicular ferrite formation and the refinement of microstructure whilst those at prior austenite grain boundaries caused PF formation on the inclusions. The simulated CGHAZ consisting of such complicated microstructure exhibited desired mechanical properties.

EFFECT OF Zr ADDITION TO Ti-KILLED STEEL ON INCLUSION FORMATION AND MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION IN WELDING INDUCED COARSE-GRAINED HEAT AFFECTED ZONE

Effects of Zirconium on the chemical component and size distribution of Ti-bearing inclusions, favored the grain refinement of the welding reduced, coarse-grained heat affected zone （CGHAZ） with enhanced impact toughness in Ti-killed steels, which were examined based on experimental observations and thermodynamic calculations. It indicated that the chemical constituents of inclusions gradually varied from the TiO oxide to the Ti-O＋Zr-O compound oxide and a single phase of the ZrO2 oxide, as the Zr content increased from zero to 0.0100%. A trace of Zr （0.0030%-0.0080%, depending on the oxygen content in liquid steel） provided a large amount of nucleating core for Ti oxide because of the larger specific density of ZrO2 oxide, and produced a small size distribution of the inclusions favorable for acicular ferrite transformation with a high nucleation rate in the CGHAZ, and a high volume fraction of acicular ferrite was obtained in the CGHAZ, with enhanced impact toughness. Otherwise, a high content of Zr （-0.0100%） produced a single phase Zr02, which was impotent to nucleate acicular ferrite, and a microstructure composed of ferrite side plate and grain boundary ferrite developed in the CGHAZ. The experimental results were confirmed by thermodynamic calculations.

Pollution monitoring of marine organisms grown in the Zhoushan Sea of China

The sustainable regeneration of the biggest fishery resource in the Zhoushan Sea area of China has been adversely affected in recent years. Wastewater discharged into the marine ecosystem is the main source of pollution. Affected organisms such as hairtail prawn, jellyfish, crab, laver and kelp were monitored, and the contributions and fluxes of three sort of pollutants(oils, Cr and phenol) from the expansion of rural enterprises in the Yangtze River valley, the Qiantang River valley, the Ningbo coastal area and the Zhoushan islands were calculated. More than 16 chemical pollutants were jointly responsible for the decrease in the yield and quality of marine organisms. Furthermore, combined contamination effects and their joint toxicity differed between summer and winter, because they were varied with different temperature, salinity, pH and E h.

INFLUENCE OF THE SECOND THERMAL CYCLE ON COARSE- GRAINED ZONE TOUGHNESS OF X70 STEEL

The influence of the second thermal cycle on coarse grained zone (CGHAZ) toughness of X70 steel is studied by weld thermal simulation test, scanning electron microscope and electron microprobe. The results show that the CGHAZ toughness is improved after the second thermal cycle but being heated during the intercritical HAZ (ICHAZ). The CGHAZ toughness decreases evidently after being heated during partially transformed zone, which chiefly results from the carbon segregation to the grain boundaries of primal austenite, thus forming high carbon martensite austenite (M A) constituent and bringing serious intercritically reheated coarse grain HAZ (IRCGHAZ) embrittlement.

Effect of welding parameters on the heat-affected zone of AISI409 ferritic stainless steel

One of the main problems during the welding of ferritic stainless steels is severe grain growth within the heat-affected zone （HAZ） In the present study, the microstmctural characteristics of tungsten inert gas （TIG） welded AISI409 ferritic stainless steel were investigated by electron backscattered diffraction （EBSD）, and the effects of welding parameters on the grain size, local misorientation, and low-angle grain boundaries were studied. A 3-D finite element model （FEM） was developed to predict the effects of welding parameters on the holding time of the HAZ above the critical temperature of grain growth. It is found that the base metal is not fully recrystallized. During the welding, complete recrystallization is followed by severe grain growth. A decrease in the number of low-angle grain boundaries is observed within the HAZ. FEM results show that the final state of residual sWains is caused by competition between welding plastic strains and their release by recrystallization. Still, the decisive factor for grain growth is heat input.

Effect of Heat Input on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 07MnCrMoVR Weld Joints

As a new type of low cracking suscepbility high strength steel,07MnCrMoVR steel has excellent weldability,with low carbon equivalent and cold cracking susceptibility coefficient.However,there are still some problems when this steel is on the outdoor actual welding condition,such as having some extend cold cracking suscepbility and embrittlement of heat affected zone.Currently, researching works for the welding of this steel mostly focus on the evaluation the weldability of it,only few works are concentrated in how the heat input affecting the embrittlement of HAZ.The goal of this research is to study the effect of heat input on the embrittlement of the heat affected zone so as to get the optimal welding heat input range for it.In this paper,38 mm 07MnCrMoVR steel made by Shougang is welded by manual arc welding technology,and the effect of heat input on the microstructure and mechanical properties of weld joints is also investigated by use of optical microscope（OM）,scanning electron microscope（SEM）,mechanical properties testing machines and Viker hardness tester.The microstructure and fractography observation results and the mechanical properties testing results indicate that the 07MnCrMoVR steel made by Shougang has a wide adaptable range for heat input,and when the heat input is in the range of 15-42 kJ/cm,the toughness of the weld joints is well.With the increase of heat input,the impact toughness of weld zone and heat affected zone decrease,whereas the tensile strength of the weld joints does not change at all.The microstructure of the weld is acicular ferrite with small amount of proeutectoid ferrite,and with the increase of heat input,the ratio of proeutectoid ferrite and the amount of M-A constituent increase,as well as the grain size and the width of the bainite lath in coarsened grain heat affected zone. Fractography results show that with the increase of heat input,the number of dimples in impact fracture specimens decreases,and the cleavage patterns increase,inducing the fracture from ductility to embrittlement.This research provides a theory support for guiding the penstock constructor how to use 07MnCrMoVR steel in actual welding.

Effect of deteriorated microstructures on stress corrosion cracking of X70 pipeline steel in acidic soil environment

In order to investigate stress corrosion cracking （SCC） of X70 pipeline steel and its weld joint area in acidic soil environ- ment in China, two simulating methods were used： one was to obtain bad microstructures in heat affected zone by annealing at 1300 ℃ for 10 min and then, quenching in water; the other was to get different simulating solutions of acidic soil in Yingtan in south- east China. The SCC susceptibilities of X70 pipeline steel before and after quenching in the simulating solutions were analyzed using slow stain rate test （SSRT） and potentiodynamic polarization technique to investigate the SCC electrochemical mechanism of different microstructures further. The results show that SCC appears in the original microstructure and the quenched microstructure as the polarization potential decreases. Hydrogen revolution accelerates SCC of the two tested materials within the range of-850 mV to -1200 mV vs. SCE. Microstructural hardening and grain coarsening also increase SCC. The SCC mechanisms are different, anodic dissolution is the key of causing SCC as the polarization potential is higher than the null current potential, and hydrogen embrittlement will play a more important role to SCC as the polarization potential lower than the null current potential.

The welding application of high strength steels used in engineering machinery

With the rapid development of low alloy steel strength level,more problems caused by welding are exposed day by day.Recently,the efforts have been paid to improve or enchance the low toughness of heated affected zone and welded metal which can enchance the comprehensive mechanical properties that is the core scientific problems of its safe operation by researching crack initiation and crack propragation attracted a rapidly growing interest.This article focuses on the research status and progress of welding technology and joint microstructure and properties of advanced steel materials.The influence of shielding gas on the microstructure evolution of deposited metals,the effect heat input of welded joint performance,interpass temperature and alloy elements on welded joints microstructure and M-A constituent evolution and properties are reviewed in detail.And for the heat affected zone,the grain size and microstructure as well as the shape,size,and distribution of M-A constituent,have a significant impact on the impact toughness.This paper is an attempt to review the effect of different welding process parameters on welded metal and HAZ of HSLA steels.

Factors governing heat affected zone during wire bonding

In the wire bonding process of microelectronic packaging,heat affect zone(HAZ)is an important factor governing the loop profile of bonding.The height of loop is affected by the length of the HAZ.Factors governing the HAZ were studied.To investigate this relationship,experiments were done for various sizes of wire and free air ball(FAB).Electric flame-off(EFO)current, EFO time,EFO gap and recrystallization were also studied.The results show that as the size of FAB becomes larger,the length of HAZ increases.With the increase of EFO current and time,the length of HAZ becomes longer.When FAB forms at the same parameter the length of HAZ becomes shorter with the high temperature of recrystallization.

LOCAL CREEP EVALUATION OF P92 STEEL WELDMENT BY SMALL PUNCH CREEP TEST

The aim of this research is to evaluate the local creep damage of various microstructures such as coarse grained heat affected zone （CGHAZ）, fine grained heat affected zone （FG- HAZ）, intercritical heat affected zone （ICHAZ） known as Type IV region, weld metal, and base metal of P92（9Cr-2W） steel weldment by small punch （SP） creep test at 600~ C. Also, to determine the weakest local part of the weldment, the effect of microstructures on creep rupture behavior in the weldment of P92 steel was studied. From the experimental results, the FGHAZ and Type IV region turned out to be very weak local parts of P92 weldment. Especially, the TYPE IV region showed the greatest displacement rate and had the shortest rupture life with many creep cavities widely spreaded in most of the region.

Microtremor-based analysis of the dynamic response characteristics of earth-fissured sites in the Datong basin, China

This study conducted microtremor testing along six survey lines that cross three typical earth fissures in the Datong basin to determine the dynamic response characteristics of earth fissure sites with regard to the Fourier amplitude spectrum,response spectrum,and Arias intensity.The results show the following.(1)The predominant frequency of an earth fissure site is mainly affected by the thickness and the shear wave velocity of the soil layer and is minimally effected by the presence of an earth fissure.(2)Earth fissures have a pronounced amplification effect on dynamic response.Fourier amplitude,response acceleration,and Arias intensity are high near an earth fissure and decrease with an increase in distance from the earth fissure,tending toward stability at a distance of 20 m.(3)The area that is seriously affected by this amplification is within 6-8 m of an earth fissure,and the general affected area is farther out than this,to a distance of 25 m.(4)New construction should be avoided in an area affected by the amplification,and existing buildings in general and seriously affected areas need to be reinforced to increase their seismic fortification intensity.

MICROSTRUCTURAL STUDIES OF FRICTION STIR WELDED AZ31 MAGNESIUM ALLOY

Friction stir welding achieves the weld in solid phase by locally introducing frictional heating and plastic flow arising from rotation of the welding tool, which results in changes in the local microstructure of magnesium alloy. The purpose in the paper is to study the microstructures of friction stir welded AZ31 magnesium alloy. Residual microstructures, including dynamic re-crystallization zone and nugget structures have been systematically investigated utilizing optical microscopy (OM), scanning electric microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-hardness. AZ31 magnesium alloy has been successfully friction stir welded and exhibits the variations of microstructure including dynamically recrystallized, equaxied grains in the weld nugget. Residual hardness in the nugget was found slightly lower than the parent but not too obvious.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of heat affected zone in multi-pass GMA welded Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

Microstructure and mechanical properties of the heat affected zone(HAZ)in multi-pass gas metal arc(GMA)welded Al Zn Mg Cu alloy plates were investigated,based upon which the mechanical anisotropy and fracture mechanism were analyzed.The microstructure and composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscope(EDS).X-ray diffractometer(XRD),transmission electron microscope(TEM)and selective area electron diffraction(SAED)were used to analyze the phase composition.The distribution of microhardness was identified as gradual transition and tensile strength had a tendency to decrease first and then increase.The distribution of nano-sizedη(MgZn2)particles in theα(Al)matrix and Al2MgCu phase determined the tensile performances along the thickness direction and led to the formation of ductile/brittle composite fracture in the HAZ.The continuous distribution of Al2MgCu phase in the strip intergranular precipitates gave birth to premature cracks and the brittle fracture region.The precipitated particles coarsening also led to the deterioration of mechanical properties.

Study on the microstructure of 12%chromium low carbon stainless steel in a high temperature heat-affected zone

Coarsening, embrittlement and corrosion sensitization in a high temperature heat-affected zone （HTHAZ） are the major problems when 12% chromium low carbon stainless steel is being welded, which induce the deterioration of the impact toughness at a low temperature and intergranular corrosion resistance property. This study investigates the corresponding microstructures in HTHAZ with different chemical compositions and heat inputs through thermal simulation tests. The results show that the martensite content increases with the descending of ferrite factor （FF） when FF is below 9.0 and heat input influences the microstructure of high FF steel in HTHAZ. Martensite of 12% Cr stainless steel in HTHAZ with only Nb stabilization reticularly distributes at ferrite grain boundaries.

MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT IN THE SIMULATED HEAT AFFECTED ZONE OF V TREATED HSLA STEELS

The simulated heat affected zone （HAZ） of the high strength low alloy （HSLA） steels containing 0%, 0.047%, 0.097% and 0.151% vanadium, respectively, were studied with Gleeble-2000 thermomechanical simulator to determine the influence of vanadium addition on the mechanical properties of the HAZ. The HAZ simulation involved reheating the samples to 1350℃, and then cooling to ambient temperature at a cooling rate of 5℃/s ranging from 800 to 500℃ （△8/5=60s）. The mechanical properties including tensile strength and -20℃ impact toughness were conducted. The microstructures of the base steel and the simulated HAZs were investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope （ SEM ） and transmission electron microscope （TEM）. Based on the systemutic examination, the present work confirmed that about 0.05% vanadium addition to low carbon low alloy steels resulted in expected balance of strength and toughness of the HAZ. And more than 0.10% levels addition led to detrimental toughness of the HAZ SEM study showed that the simulated 0.097% and 0.151%V HAZs consisted of more coarse ferrite plates with greater and more M-A constituents along austenite grain and ferrite plate bound- aries. The impact fracture surfaces of the simulated 0.097% and 0.151%V HAZs showed typically brittle mode with predominant cleavages. The size of the facet in the fracture surface increased with increasing vanadium level from 0.097% to 0.151%.As a result, the simulated 0.151% V HAZ has the lowest impact toughness of the four specimens.