Low temperature impact toughness and fracture mechanism of cast QT400-18L ductile iron with diferent Ni additions

Different contents of Ni(0.3wt.%to 1.2wt.%)were added to the QT400-18L ductile iron to investigate the effect of Ni addition on the impact toughness of cast ductile irons at low temperatures.The impact toughnesses of the samples at room and low temperatures were tested.The microstructures and fractographs were observed.Results show that with the increase of Ni addition there is a general trend of refinement of the ferrite matrix while the nodule density shows no obvious change.When the Ni content is 0.7wt.%,the matrix structure is the refined ferrite with a very small fraction(about 2%)of pearlite near the eutectic cell boundaries.When the Ni content is further increased,the fraction of pearlite increases significantly and reaches more than 5%when 1.2wt.%Ni is added.The impact toughness at room temperature increases as the content of Ni increases from 0.3 wt.%to 0.7 wt.%,but decreases as the Ni content further increases to 1.2wt.%due to the increase of pearlite fraction.The maximum value of the impact work is 18.5 J at room temperature with 0.7wt.%Ni addition.The average value of the impact work is still more than 13 J even at-30℃.In addition,the fracture mechanism changes from ductile manner to brittleness as the testing temperature decreases from 20℃to-60℃.

Relationship between Low Temperature Toughness and Microstructure in Low Activation Fe-Cr-Mn(W,V)Steel for Fusion Reactors

Fe-Cr-Mn (W, V) austenite steel was researched in order to supply a theory base for the first wall materials of fusion reactors.Experiments included vacuum melting, forging, annealing, solution treatment, Charpy impact tests and microstructure observation. Theresults show that the imped value decreases with the test temperature decreasing. In this system, there is ductile/brittle transition. Themechanism of this decrease of the impact value is considered to be due to γ - ε transformation in sub-stable austenite steel and stoppingoverlapping sacking fault by grain boundaries in stable austenite steel.

Effect of microstructure on the low temperature toughness of high strength pipeline steels

Microstructure observations and drop-weight tear test were performed to study the microstructures and mechanical properties of two kinds of industrial X70 and two kinds of industrial X80 grade pipeline steels. The effective grain size and the fraction of high angle grain boundaries in the pipeline steels were investigated by electron backscatter diffraction analysis. It is found that the low temperature toughness of the pipeline steels depends not only on the effective grain size, but also on other microstructural factors such as martensite-austenite （MA） constituents and precipitates. The morphology and size of MA constituents significantly affect the mechanical properties of the pipeline steels. Nubby MA constituents with large size have significant negative effects on the toughness, while smaller granular MA constituents have less harmful effects. Similarly, larger Ti-rich nitrides with sharp corners have a strongly negative effect on the toughness, while fine, spherical Nb-rich carbides have a less deleterious effect. The low temperature toughness of the steels is independent of the fraction of high angle grain boundaries.

Mechanical properties and fracture toughness of rail steels and thermite welds at low temperature

Brittle fracture occurs frequently in rails and thermite welded joints, which intimidates the security and reliability of railway ser- vice. Railways in cold regions, such as Qinghai-Tibet Railway, make the problem of brittle fi＇acture in rails even worse. A series of tests such as uniaxial tensile tests, Charpy impact tests, and three-point bending tests were carried out at low temperature to investigate the mechanical properties and fracture toughness of U71Mn and U75V rail steels and their thermite welds. Fracture micromechanisms were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） on the fracture surfaces of the tested specimens. The ductility indices （percentage elongation aider frac- ture and percentage reduction of area） and the toughness indices （Charpy impact energy Ak and plane-strain fracture toughness Kic） of the two kinds of rail steels and the corresponding thermite welds all decrease as the temperature decreases. The thermite welds are more critical to fracture than the rail steel base metals, as indicated by a higher yield-to-ultimate ratio and a much lower Charpy impact energy. U71Mn rail steel is relatively higher in toughness than U75V, as demonstrated by larger Ak and Klc values. Therefore, U71Mn rail steel and the corresponding thermite weld are recommended in railway construction and maintenance in cold regions.

Fracture toughness and fracture behavior of SA508-Ⅲ steel at different temperatures

The fracture toughness of SA508-Ⅲ steel was studied in the temperature range from room temperature to 320℃ using the J-integral method. The fracture behavior of the steel was also investigated. It was found that the conditional fracture toughness （JQ） of the steel first decreased and then increased with increasing test temperature. The maximum and minimum values of do were 517.4 kJ/m^2 at 25℃ and 304.5 kJ/m^2 at 180℃, respectively. Dynamic strain aging （DSA） was also observed to occur when the temperature exceeded 260℃ with a certain strain rate. Both the dislocation density and the number of small dislocation cells effectively increased because of the occurrence of DSA; as a consequence, crack propagation was more strongly inhibited in the steel. Simultaneously, an increasing number of fine carbides precipitated under high stress at temperatures greater than 260℃. Thus, the deformation resistance of the steel was improved and the Jo was enhanced.

Impact Toughness Scattering of Bainitic Steel in the Ductile-brittle Transition Temperature Region

The impact toughness scattering in the ductile-brittle transition temperature （DBTT） region was experimentally examined on mixed and homogeneous grains of low alloy high strength bainitic steel under dynamic loading conditions. The results revealed that the mixed grain microstructure had larger impact toughness scattering than the homogeneous one, and the impact toughness scattering was mainly caused by the scattering in the cleavage fractttre stress σf. The value of σf. is related to the size of the microcrack formed in the bainitic packet. When a bainitic packet-sized microcrack propagates from one bainitic packet into the adjacent packet, cleavage fracture occurs. The cleavage fracture is controlled by the few coarse packets in the microstructures, and the σf scattering is influenced by the varied distances/relative locations between these coarse packets, and homogenizing the distribution of fine bainitic packet sizes is an effective way to reduce the impact toughness scattering in the DBTT region.

Low temperature impact toughness of laser hybrid welded joint of high strength low alloy steel

High strength low alloy steel with 16 mm thickness was welded by using high power laser hybrid welding. Microstrueture was characterized by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy （ SEM ） , transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and selected area electron diffraction （SAED）. Low temperature impact toughness was estimated by using Charpy V-notch impact samples selected from the upper part and the lower part at the same heterogeneous joint. Results show that the low temperature impact absorbed energies of weld metal are （202,180,165 J） of upper samples and （178,145,160 J） of lower samples, respectively. All of them increase compared to base metal. The embrittlement of HAZ does not occur. Weld metal primarily consists of refined carbide free bainite and a little granular bainite since laser hybrid welding owns the character of low heat input. Retained austenite constituent film ＂locates among the lath structure of bainitie ferrite. Refined bainitic ferrite lath and retained austenite constituent film provide better low temperature impact toughness compared to base metal.

Effects of Annealing Process on Crystallization and Low Temperature Resistance Properties of PP-R Composites

The effects of the annealing process on the mechanical properties and crystallization behaviors of polypropylene random copolymer（PP-R） composites were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry（DSC）, wide-angle X-ray diffraction（WAXD）, and dynamic mechanical analysis（DMA）, and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The experimental results indicated that the annealing process significantly influenced the comprehensive properties of PP-R composites. At temperatures below 23 ℃, the impact strength of the PP-R composites annealed at 120 ℃ for 6 h was relatively high at 74.73 k J/m^2, which was 16.8% higher than that of the samples annealed at 80 ℃ for 6 h. At low temperatures（-30-0 ℃）, the impact strength ranged from approximately 13.31 k J/m^2 to 54.4 k J/m^2. In addition, the annealing process conducted at 120 ℃ for 6 h improved the crystalline structure and low-temperature toughness of the PP-R composites and induced α-form to β-form crystal transformation. The work provides a possible method to reinforce and toughen the semicrystalline polymer at low temperatures（-30-0 ℃） by annealing.

LOW TEMPERATURE ALUMINUM FLOATING ELECTROLYSIS IN HEAVY ELECTROLYTE Na_3AlF_6-AlF_3-BaC1_2-NaCl BATH SYSTEM

Multiple regression equations of liquidus temperature, electrical conductivity and bath density of the Na_3AlF_6-AlF_3-BaC1_2-NaCl system were obtained from experiments by using orthogonal regression method. The experiments were carried out in 100A cell with low melting point electrolyte, the influences of cathodic current density, electrolytic temperature, density differences of bath and liquid aluminum on current efficiency (CE) were studied; when the electrolyte cryolite ratio was 2.5, w(BaC1_2) and w(NaCl) were 48% and 10%, respectively, CE reached 90% and specific energy consumption was 10.97k Wb/kg/kg. Because of the fact that aluminum metal obtained floated on the surface of molten electrolyte, this electrolysis method was then defined as low temperature aluminum floating electrolysis. The results showed that the new low temperature aluminum electrolysis process in the Na_3AlF_6-AlF_3-BaC1_2-NaCl bath system was practical and promising.

Effects of low temperature on properties of structural steels

The experiments were carried out to measure the mechanical properties ofthree grades of structural steels (Q235A, 16Mn and Q390E steel) at low temperature. It was shownthat the strength of the steels increases while the plasticity and toughness decrease as temperaturedrops. In the transitional area the toughness drops rapidly with temperature. Among the threestructural steels, Q390E steel has the best toughness and the lowest sensitivity.

CHARACTERISTIC TRANSITION TEMPERATURE OF BRITTLENESS OF LOW CARBON STEEL

On the basis of analysis of low carbon steel fracture macro-features and micro-processes at low temperature,the definition was given of the characteristic transition temperature of brittleness,T_(pm),and its physical meaning was expounded.Discussion was carried out of phys- ical characteristic of variation at T_(pm) in respect of the fracture toughness and property of crack arrest.In addition,research was made on the application of T_(pm),which can give infor- mation about the transition of the fracture toughness,the property of crack arrest and critical crack size,to estimation the brittleness of low carbon steel at low temperatures.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nb-B bearing Low Carbon Steel Plate: Ultrafast Cooling versus Accelerated Cooling

The microstructure and mechanical properties of low carbon bainite high strength steel plate were studied via different cooling paths at the pilot scale. There was a significant increase in mechanical properties, and notably, the yield strength, tensile strength, and toughness at-40 ℃ for the tested steel processed by ultra-fast cooling were 126 MPa, 98 MPa and 69 J, respectively, in relation to steel processed by accelerated cooling. The ultra-fast cooling rate not only refined the microstructure, precipitates, and martensiteaustenite（M/A） islands, but also contributed to the refinement of microstructure in thick plates. The large size M/A constituents formed at lower cooling rate experienced stress concentration and were potential sites for crack initiation, which led to deterioration of low-temperature impact toughness. In contrast, the acicular ferrite and lath bainite with high fraction of high-angle grain boundaries were formed in steel processed by ultra-fast cooling, which retarded cleavage crack propagation.

Application Research on Toughness Index CTOD in Design of Railway Steel Bridge

Railway steel bridge belongs to large-scale weld structures suffered with cyclic dynamic stress generated by the train. In recent years, the section of bridge member becomes bigger, plate becomes thicker, connection form becomes more complicated and steel bridge is applied to wider districts even in the lower temperature environment. Thus, fatigue and fracture problems become more serious. On the basis of CTOD （crack tip open displacement） test data of 372 specimens tested in different temperatures, this paper discusses research work about fracture proof design that involves how to determine the criterion of CVN （Charpy V-notch） impact toughness by establishing the relationship between CTOD and CVN, how to prevent from brittle fracture by stress control in railway steel bridge design based on COD （crack open displacement） design curve through the test data and how to do the fatigue design for railway steel bridge at -50 ℃ of design temperature in an easy way. The method of fatigue design at -50 ℃ environment has been used for railway steel bridge structure of Qinghai-Tibet Railway in China.

Effect of Yttrium on Toughness of Weld Metal Deposited by TiO_2－CaO Type Electrode

Effect of yttrium on low temperature toughness of weld metal deposited by TiO2-CaO type electrode has been investigated by transfering yttrium from welding pool to weld with fluxcored wire.The results show that the decrease in surface tension of liquid iron in welding pool and the variation in density of inclusion in weld are main causes for toughness improvement effect on weld by yttrium.

Fracture toughness and safety assessment of X65 offshore pipeline welded joints

In this investigation, the mechanical properties and low-temperature fracture toughness of API 5L X65 offshore pipeline welded joints were studied. Structure Integrity Assessment Procedure (SINTAP)—Failure Assessment Diagram (FAD) method was applied to the pipe structure with surface flaw at the weld toe. According to the ISO standard BS7448, the CTOD fracture toughness of the welded joints was determined at the temperature of 0℃. For the heat-affected zone (HAZ) specimens, post-test metallographic analysis was performed to verify that the tip of the crack was located in the coarse crystal zone in order to confirm the validity of the above results. The failure lines of analysis level 1 and 3 of weld metal were derived from the results of the mechanical property test. The assessment was performed, considering the maximum lay stress, residual stress conservatively assumed to be uniform tensile stress, and minimum CTOD value. The results of the assessment showed that pipeline structure with a surface flaw (the height and length are respectively 2.2mm and 5mm) at the weld toe is safe. This study lays the foundation of application of SINTAP to pipeline structure assessment.

盐度-温度对内蒙古砒砂岩断裂行为耦合作用机理

低温、矿化流体耦合下砒砂岩断裂力学特征对于内蒙古黄河岸坡岩体稳定性具有关键影响。利用半圆盘三点弯曲加载(semi-circular bending,SCB)对内蒙古准格尔旗砒砂岩在常温、低温条件下断裂行为进行试验研究,研究表明:相同盐度下液氮制冷后砒砂岩试样断裂载荷和断裂韧度显著下降,同等温度下试样断裂载荷和断裂韧度随浸泡流体盐度增大线性升高;液氮制冷后砒砂岩试样断裂全程能耗显著低于常温条件下试样,随浸泡流体盐度增加砒砂岩试样断裂能耗呈指数上升;液氮制冷后砒砂岩试样断裂速率远高于常温试样,随盐度增加砒砂岩断裂速率呈现出对数下降趋势;砒砂岩试样断裂韧度、断裂功及断裂速率损伤变量随盐度增大趋近于零,盐度对本区砒砂岩断裂行为影响显著。结合试样断口分析认为常温下砒砂岩内部盐度增大形成结晶(盐敏)效应提升了岩石在外载下的断裂效率,而低温环境砒砂岩内部含盐度增加反而削弱了冰劈效应。

中日-50℃乙烯球形储罐用焊条性能对比研究

对国产J607RHDQ焊条和日本进口LB-65L焊条熔敷金属的化学成分、力学性能进行对比分析,并研究了焊缝金属焊接线能量、系列温度冲击、无塑性转变温度以及扩散氢含量等有关性能。结果表明:国产焊条J607RHDQ焊条整体性能与LB-65L焊条在同一水平,低温冲击功都远高于-50℃下80 J的要求,焊缝金属的低温韧性、断裂韧性较高,VTE、VTS及NDTT温度都较低。但国产J607RHDQ焊条有更好的焊接线能量适应性和抗吸潮能力,可替代进口LB-65L作为07MnNiMoDR钢板配套焊条,用于-50℃低温乙烯球形储罐的建造,真正解决了低温乙烯项目建造过程中的“卡脖子”问题。

Analytical Investigation of Prior Austenite Grain Size Dependence of Low Temperature Toughness in Steel Weld Metal

Prior austenite grain size dependence of the low temperature impact toughness has been addressed in the bainitic weld metals by in situ observations.Usually,decreasing the grain size is the only approach by which both the strength and the toughness of a steel are increased.However,low carbon bainitic steel with small grain size shows a weakening of the low temperature impact toughness in this study.By direct tracking of the morphological evolution during phase transformation,it is found that large austenite grain size dominates the nucleation of intragranular acicular ferrite,whereas small austenite grain size leads to grain boundary nucleation of bainite.This kinetics information will contribute to meet the increasing low temperature toughness requirement of weld metals for the storage tanks and offshore structures.

Ti-B微量合金化元素对焊缝金属韧性的影响机制

通过向焊缝金属过渡微量的Ｔｉ－Ｂ元素，探讨了低合金高强钢焊缝金属的微观组织与低温冲击韧性的关系．研究结果表明，向焊缝金属过渡适量的Ｔｉ－Ｂ元素，可以有效地抑制先共析铁素体的析出，使焊缝获得细小、均匀的针状铁素体组织，从而提高了焊缝的低温冲击韧性．通过透射电镜的观察，发现针状铁素体由许多位错亚结构组成，这相当于进一步细化了晶粒，是提高焊缝金属低温韧性的微观原因．

Energy Separation and Explicit Dynamic Analysis of Low Temperature Impact Toughness of Transmission Tower Material Q420B

To determine the physical significance of the impact toughness parameters and accurately characterize the low temperature impact toughness of transmission tower material Q420 B,the finite element model of Charpy impact test is established on the basis of experiment.The simulation and test results are verified,and the specimen fracture is analyzed by scanning electron microscope.The formation and growth mechanism of the crack are dynamically analyzed.On this basis,energy separation method is used to investigate the effect of low temperature on impact toughness.The results show that the simulation and test results are in good agreement,and the ductile-brittle transition temperature of Q420 B is about-50 ℃.The breaking process of the specimen is divided into the crack formation and propagation.When temperature drops from 20 to-60 ℃,the crack propagation energy decreases from 51.0 to 11.9 J,the crack formation energy reduces from 39.9 to 15.8 J,and the fracture time of the material drops from 1.8 to 0.6 ms.