Kinetics of austenite growth and bainite transformation during reheating and cooling treatments of high strength microalloyed steel produced by sub-rapid solidification

First,strip cast samples of high strength microalloyed steel with sub-rapid solidification characteristics were prepared by simulated strip casting technique.Next,the isothermal growth of austenite grain during the reheating treatment of strip casts was observed in situ through confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM).The results indicated that the time exponent of grains growth suddenly rise when the isothermal temperature higher than 1000℃.And the activation energy for austenite grain growth were calculated to be 538.0 kJ/mol in the high temperature region(above 1000℃)and 693.2 kJ/mol in the low temperature region(below 1000℃),respectively.Then,the kinetics model of austenite isothermal growth was established,which can predict the austenite grain size during isothermal hold very well.Besides,high density of second phase particles with small size was found during the isothermal hold at the low temperature region,leading to the refinement of austenite grain.After isothermal hold at different temperature for 1800 s,the bainite transformation in microalloyed steel strip was also observed in situ during the continuous cooling process.And growth rates of bainite plates with different nucleation positions and different prior austenite grain size(PAGS)were calculated.It was indicated that the growth rate of the bainite plate is not only related to the nucleation position but also to the PAGS.

A novel design to enhance the stability of local austenite and the volume fraction of retained austenite in a low-carbon Si Mn Q-P steel

Pre-quenching prior to intercritical annealing quenching and partitioning(Q-P)process was proposed to enhance the volume fraction of retained austenite and the mechanical properties of a low-carbon Si Mn steel.The intercritical austenite exhibited a lath morphology due to the martensitic microstructure maintained prior to intercritical annealing.Consequently,the alloy element enrichment of intercritical austenite,in which the alloy element was aggregated at the austenitic boundaries and further diffused inside,improved the stability of intercritical austenite and decreased the M_(s) of it.As a result,the fraction of retained austenite in steel was increased,which improved the mechanical properties of the experimental Q-P steel.

EXPLOITATION AND APPLICATIONS OF METASTABLE AUSTENITE MATRIX WEAR ALLOYS

Fe based cast alloys with double phases structure of m etastable austenite m atrix an d eutecticcarbide M7 C3 were provided with the excellent properties of high abrasion resistance andhigher i m pact toughness . An i m portant reason of high abrasion resistance is hard ness violentincreasing on the m atrix surface because of w ear easily induced m artensite transfor m ation . The exploitation and applications of m etastable austenite m atrix wear alloys of Fe C Cr Nisyste m and Fe C Cr Mn system were described in this paper . The excellent properties of thesealloys w ill be sufficiently indicated by authors’exa m ples . To exploit a class of these alloyswith high abrasion resistance and various im pact toughness for m eeting the requirem ent of dif ferent environ ment , the proble m of the structure design of metastable austenite m atrix wearalloy w as also described in this paper .

MECHANICAL STABILIZATION OF DEFORMED AUSTENITEDURING CONTINUOUS COOLING TRANSFORMATION IN AC-Mn-Cr-Ni-Mo PLASTIC DIE STEEL

The influence of prior austenite deformed at different temperature on the subsequent continuous cooling bainitic transformation has been investigated in an C-Ma-Cr-Ni-Mo plastic die steel. The results show that the prior deformation in low temperature region of austenite retards significantly the bainitic transformation. For the same continuous cooling schedule, as austenite deformed at lower temperature, the quantity of the classical sheaf-like bainite becomes less. The present results show that severe deformation leads to mechanical stabilization of austenite and causes the difficulty of bainitic ferrite propagation into the austenite.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Austenite Growth Dynamics of Steel 9Cr2Mo

The growth dynamics of austenite grain was investigated in steel 9Cr2 Mo with different rare earth(RE)element addition.The results show that austenite grains of steel 9Cr2 Mo can be refined and their growth can be restrained by adding a certain amount of RE.According to the results,the n and Q were calculated and the mechanism of the refinement of austenite grains was discussed.

EFFECTS OF HIGH-DENSITY CURRENT PULSES ON WORK HARDENING BEHAVIORS OF AUSTENITE STAINLESS STEEL IN WIRE-DRAWING DEFORMATION

The influence of high-density pulsing current on the work-hardening behavior of H0Cr17Ni6Mn3 and 1Cr18N19 stainless steels in wire-drawing deformation processes has been studied. It was found that the drawing stress and the work-hardening rate of wires were significantly reduced by applying current pulses in drawing process. The work-hardening behavior of the multi-courses drawing deformation can be well de scribed by Hollomon formula σ = κεn. With the application of current pulses in drawing deformation, the work-hardening exponents of H0Cr17Ni6MnS steel wires and 1 Cr1 8Ni9 stainless steel wires were reduced by 33% and 45%, respectively, and their work-hardening coefficients were reduced by 41% and 47%, respectively. It was also found that the work-hardening coefficient of wires was reduced with the increment of the frequency of current pulses, while the work-hardening exponents of both steels were insensitive to the pulsing frequency.

Austenite grain growth of medium-carbon alloy steel with aluminum additions during heating process

In this study, the effects of heating temperature(850–1100°C) and holding time(30–150 min) on the grain growth behavior of austenite in medium-carbon alloy steel were investigated by conducting experiments. The abnormal grain growth and mixed grain structure phenomenon are explained using an equilibrium precipitation phase diagram calculated by Thermo-Calc software package. The Al N particles were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), and the amount of AlN precipitations was detected by electron probe microanalysis(EPMA). Based on the research results, it was found that the average grain size of austenite in the test steel increased continuously with the increase of temperature and holding time. Furthermore, the abnormal growth of austenite occurred in the test steel at 950°C, and the heating temperature affected the austenite grain size more significantly. In addition, the decline in the amount of AlN second-phase particle in the test steel, which weakened the "pinning" effect on austenite grain boundaries, resulted in abnormal growth and the development of mixed austenite grain structures. The prediction model for describing the austenite grain growth of medium-carbon alloy steel during heating was established by regression analysis of the experimental data, and the model was verified to be highly accurate.

EFFECTS OF CARBON CONTENT AND ROLLING PROCESSING ON RETAINED AUSTENITE FOR HOT-ROLLED TRIP STEELS

The effects of finishing rolling temperature and coiling temperature on retained austen-ire were studied for hot-rolled transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels withdifferent carbon content. The experimental results showed that an appropriate volumefraction of retained austenite from 6% to 11% could be obtained according to the dif-ferent carbon content less than 0.20% by controlled finishing rolling and coiling forthe hot-rolled TRIP steels. It can be concluded that carbon content has a significanteffect on the fraction of retained austenite and coiling processing plays stronger roleon retaining austenite than fishing rolling processing.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Growth Dynamics of Austenite in 60CrMnMo Steel

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MODELLING FOR PREDICTION OF CONTINUOUS COOLING TRANSFORMATION KINETICS OF HOT-DEFORMED AUSTENITE STEEL

On the thermodynamics basis of regular solution sub-lattice model and soperelement model, kinetics basis of Cahn’s transformation kinetics theory, and according to Scheil’s additivity rule and eoperimental results obtained by thermal dilation method,a prediction model of transformations from hot-deformed austenite to ferrite, pearlite and bainite in low alloy steels, which could be applied to continuoas cooling process, is developed. The calculated transformed junctions of each phase based on laboratory controlled rolling and controlled cooling conditions in a low alloy steel are in reasonable agreement with the measured ones.

HREM STUDY OF THE AUSTENITE/MARTENSITE INTERFACES IN AN Fe-9Ni ALLOY

The atomic level structures of fcc/bcc interfaces in an Fe-9Ni alloy have been examined by means of HREM. It has been found that the orientation of γ /α interface had great effects on its atomic structure. These interfaces with different orientations may be composed of only structural ledges, structural ledges with misfit dislocations,superledges with misfit dislocations or only misfit dislocations. A structural model of growth ledge was suggested. The terrace of growth ledge was composed of structuralledges or misfit dislocations. The atomic structure of the riser of growth ledge was the same as that of the side facet of γlath, which is composed of saperiedges with misfitdislocations.

Effect of retained austenite and nonmetallic inclusions on the thermal/electrical properties and resistance spot welding nuggets of Si-containing TRIP steels

Five advanced high-strength transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP) steels with different chemical compositions were studied to correlate the retained austenite and nonmetallic inclusion content with their physical properties and the characteristics of the resistance spot welding nuggets. Electrical and thermal properties and equilibrium phases of TRIP steels were predicted using the JMatPro? software. Retained austenite and nonmetallic inclusions were quantified by X-ray diffraction and saturation magnetization techniques. The nonmetallic inclusions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the contents of Si, C, Al, and Mn in TRIP steels increase both the retained austenite and the nonmetallic inclusion contents. We found that nonmetallic inclusions affect the thermal and electrical properties of the TRIP steels and that the differences between these properties tend to result in different cooling rates during the welding process. The results are discussed in terms of the electrical and thermal properties determined from the chemical composition and their impact on the resistance spot welding nuggets.

FORMATION OF PRECIPITATED AUSTENITE IN 9%Ni STEEL AND ITS PERFORMANCE AT CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURE

The formation of precipitated austenite in 9% Ni steel exposed at the temperature of α+γ re-gion and its influence on impact tonghness at cryogenic temperature have been studied.Austenite-rich and ferrite-rich bands are formed during soaking because of the re-distribu-tion of elements of C,N and Ni.The former phase is enriched of Ni,Mn,C and N,while thelatter one is relatively pure.Part of the austenite formed at intermediate temperatures trans-forms into martensite when the steel is cooled down to room temperature.The complex struc-ture which consists of fine martensite and austenite exhibits a moderate strength and highenough cryogenic toughness.The austenite enriched of C,N and Ni is still stable at thecryogenic temperature.The tearing ridges on the impact fracture surface is densely occupiedby the precipitated austenite,elongated along the tearing direction.One of the importantcause of the excellent eryogenic properties is that the precipitated austenite absorbs theimpurities and thus purifies the matrix of the steel.

Kinetic analysis of austenite transformation for B1500HS high-strength steel during continuous heating

The dilatometric curves of B1500HS high-strength steel at different heating rates were measured by a Gleeble-3800 thermal simulator and analyzed to investigate the effect of heating rate on austenitization.Results show that the value of starting temperature and ending temperature of austenite transformation increase with the rise of heating rates,whereas the temperature interval of austenite formation decreases.The kinetic equation of austenite transformation was solved using the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami model,and the related parameters of the equation were analyzed by the Kissinger method.For those calculations,the activation energy of austenite transformation is 1.01×10^6 J/mol,and the values of kinetic parameters n and ln k0 are 0.63 and 103.03,respectively.The relationship between the volume fraction of austenite and the heating time at different heating rates could be predicted using the kinetic equation.The predicted and experimental results were compared to verify the accuracy of the kinetic equation.The microstructure etched by different corrosive solutions was analyzed,and the reliability of kinetic equation was further verified from the microscopic perspective.

Equilibrium Precipitation of Niobium Carbonitride in Austenite

The equilibrium between niobium carbonitride and austenite has been studied. Experimentally, X-raydiffaction technique was adopted to verify that the precipitates have the same composition and structure. Theoretical-ly, Hillert and Staffansson’s regular model about stoichimetric phase was used to describe the thermodynamic proper-ties of multi-component precipitate. Calculated results agree well with experimental values from literatures.

Study of Carbon-poor Regions of Austenite during Bainitic Incubation Period by SAM

The variation of carbon composition in undercooled austenite during bainitic incubation period has been investigated in 40CrMnSiMoVA by scanning auger microprobe (SAM). The results show that the outstanding diffusion and redistribution of carbon occur in isothermally reacted specimens. This leads to the formation of carbon-poor regions (CPR) near austenite grain boundaries and in austenite grains. The carbon content in CPR exceeds the equilibrium carbon composition of ferrite. Furthermore, it is indicated that the existence of CPR is thermodynamically possible.

Grain Size Prediction after Continuous Cooling Transformation from Deformed Austenite to Ferrite

On the basis of transformation thermodynamics and kinetics theories,an algorithm for predicting ferrite grain size after continuous cooling transformation from deformed austenite to ferrite is suggested.The calculated results of computer simulation with the algorithm are in so good agreement with the measured ones in controlled rolling and controlled cooling experiments that the theoretical algorithm is feasible.

Deformation-induced Microstructures of High-Mn Austenite Steel

Deformation-induced microstructures of high-Mn austenite steel was investigated bymetallography,X-ray diffraction and SEM.The ε-martensite and slip-bands are deformation-in-duced on the{111} planes,and appear as thin straight laths with 60～80° alignment difference be-tween them.It was found that ε-martensite and slip bands are kinked at fcc twin boundaries with thekinked angle 35～40°.The bands of equilateral triangle in the microstructure of tensile deformationare presented.

A NEURAL NETWORK-BASED MODEL FOR PREDICTION OF HOT-ROLLED AUSTENITE GRAIN SIZE AND FLOW STRESS IN MICROALLOY STEEL

For the great significance of the prediction of control parameters selected for hot-rolling and the evaluation of hot-rolling quality for the analysis of prod uction problems and production management, the selection of hot-rolling control parameters was studied for microalloy steel by following the neural network principle. An experimental scheme was first worked out for acquisition of sample data, in which a gleeble-1500 thermal simolator was used to obtain rolling temperature, strain, stain rate, and stress-strain curves. And consequently the aust enite grain sizes was obtained through microscopic observation. The experimental data was then processed through regression. By using the training network of BP algorithm, the mapping relationship between the hotrooling control parameters (rolling temperature, stain, and strain rate) and the microstructural paramete rs (austenite grain in size and flow stress) of microalloy steel was function appro ached for the establishment of a neural network-based model of the austeuite grain size and flow stress of microalloy steel. From the results of estimation made with the neural network based model, the hot-rolling control parameters can be effectively predicted.

Static Recrystallization Behavior of Hot Deformed Austenite for Micro-Alloyed Steel

Static recrystallization behavior of austenite for micro-alloyed steel during hot rolling was studied and the influence (τ-ε diagram) of holding time and deformation at different deformations and isothermal temperatures on microstructuralstate of austenite were discussed. Corresponding to parameter Z in the dynamic recrystallization diagram, parameterY was then introduced to simplify static recrystallization diagrams.