Effects of heat treatment on the microstructures and mechanical properties of a new type of nitrogen-containing die steel

Nitrogen can increase the strength of steels without weakening the toughness and improve the corrosion resistance at the same time. Compared with conventional nitrogen-free die steels, a new type of nitrogen-containing die steel was developed with many superior properties, such as high strength, high hardness, and good toughness. This paper focused on the effects of heat treatment on the microstruc- tures and mechanical properties of the new type of nitrogen-containing die steel, which were investigated by the optimized deformation process and heat treatment. Isothermal spheroidal annealing and high-temperature quenching as well as high-temperature tempering were ap- plied in the experiment by means of an orthogonal method after the steel was multiply forged. The mechanical properties of nitro- gen-containing die steel forgings are better than the standard of NADCA #207-2003.

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.

Microstructure,mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Al-Si-Cu-Zn-X(X=Bi,Sb,Sr) die cast alloy

The microstructure evolution, mechanical and corrosion properties of Al-11Si-2Cu-0.8Zn die cast alloy treated with Bi, Sb and Sr additions were investigated. The results of mechanical testing showed that all additions increased impact toughness, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of the alloy as a result of change in eutectic Si morphology. The analysis of fracture surfaces revealed that with addition of Sr and to lesser extent Bi and Sb, the alloy exhibited a predominantly ductile fracture rather than quasi-cleavage brittle fracture. Moreover, with the additions of Sr, Bi and Sb, the quality index increased to 164.7 MPa, 156.3 MPa and 152.6 MPa respectively from 102 MPa for the base alloy. Polarization corrosion tests conducted in sodium chloride solution showed that the corrosion potential shifted to more negative values with additions of Sb, Bi and Sr, respectively. Corrosion immersion tests also revealed that the element additions have a detrimental effect on the corrosion rate of alloys, due to the increase of boundaries between the Al and eutectic Si phases.

Influence of Ce addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of high pressure die cast AM50 magnesium alloy

The influence of Ce addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AM50 magnesium alloy was investigated to improve its mechanical properties.The results show that the addition of Ce to AM50 alloy results in the grain refinement and the mechanical properties of the Ce-modified AM50 at room and elevated temperatures are remarkably improved.AM50 magnesium alloy containing 1% Ce（mass fraction） shows better refinement and mechanical properties compared with the AM50 magnesium alloy with 0.5% Ce and even AM50 alloy without any Ce.

Microstructure evolution of modified die-cast AlSi10MnMg alloy during solution treatment and its effect on mechanical properties

To optimize the solution treatment process of a modified high-pressure die-cast AlSi10MnMg alloy, the influence of the solution treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms was studied using OM, SEM, EBSD and tensile test. The experimental results suggest that the solution treatment could be completed in a shorter time at a temperature much lower than the conventional practice. Surface blistering could be avoided and substantial strengthening effect could be achieved in the following aging process. Prolonging solution treatment time and elevating solution temperature would be meaningless or even harmful. The rapid evolution of eutectic silicon during solution treatment, especially at the early stage, affected the way of interaction among α-Al grains during plastic deformation, and changed the ultimate mechanical properties and fracture mode.

Influence of dynamic recrystallization on microstructure and mechanical properties of welding zone in Al-Mg-Si aluminum profile during porthole die extrusion

The effect of dynamic recrystallization(DRX)on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 6063 aluminum alloy profile during porthole die extrusion was studied through experiment and simulation.The grain morphology was observed by means of electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)technology.The results show that,at low ram speeds,increasing the ram speed caused an increase in DRX fraction due to the increase of temperature and strain rate.In contrast,at high ram speeds,further increasing ram speed had much less effect on the temperature,and the DRX faction decreased due to high stain rates.The microhardness and fraction of low angle boundaries in the welding zones were lower than those in the matrix zones.The grain size in the welding zone was smaller than that in the matrix zone due to lower DRX fraction.The decrease of grain size and increase of extrudate temperature were beneficial to the improvement of microhardness.

Re-evaluation of the mechanical properties and creep resistance of commercial magnesium die-casting alloy AE44

This paper presents a re-evaluation of the room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep resistance of magnesium die-casting alloy AE44(Mg-4Al-4RE)in light of the influence of minor Mn addition.It is shown that the Mn-containing AE44 exhibits distinct age hardening response upon direct ageing(T5)due to the precipitation of nanoscale Al-Mn particles,as reported previously in a similar alloy.The T5 ageing leads to a significant improvement in strength with similar ductility.Consequently,the T5-aged AE44 has a remarkably better strength-ductility combination than most Mg die-casting alloys and even the Al die-casting alloy A380.Minor Mn addition is also shown to be critical for the creep resistance of AE44 whereas the influence of the RE constituent is not as significant as previously thought,which reaffirms that precipitation hardening of theα-Mg matrix is more important than grain boundary reinforcement by intermetallic phases for the creep resistance of die-cast Mg alloys.The findings in this work could provide new application perspectives for AE44,particularly in the automotive industry.

Study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of medium carbon Cr-Si-Mn-Mo-V steel for cast inserted dies

The microstructure and mechanical properties of cast inserted dies for automobile covering components were studied. The results show that the as-cast microstructures of cast inserted dies are composed of pearlite, martensite, bainite, and austenite; and that the annealed microstructure is granular pearlite. The mechanical properties of cast inserted dies approach that of forged inserted dies. The tensile strength is 855 MPa, the elongation is 16%, the impact toughness is 177 J/cm2, and the hardness after annealing and quenching are HRC 19 and HRC 60-62. In addition, the cast inserted dies have good hardenability. The depth of the hardening zone and the hardness after flame quenching satisfy the operating requirements. The cast inserted dies could completely replace the forged inserted dies for making the dies of automobile covering components.

Effect of vacuum on porosity and mechanical properties of high-pressure die-cast pure copper

Pure copper tensile bars were produced by conventional die casting(HPDC) and vacuum-assist die casting(VADC) processes. Porosity and mechanical properties were investigated by using optical microscopy(OM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), X-ray computed tomography(XCT) and tensile tester. Results show that porosities including gas porosity and shrinkage porosity could be observed in copper castings. Since the application of vacuum could reduce filling related gas entrapment and facilitate solidification due to the increased heat transfer between metal and die, both number and size of the entrapped gases, as well as shrinkage porosities were significantly reduced in vacuum-assist die castings of pure copper. The porosity fraction decreased from 2.243% to 0.875% compared with that of the conventional die casting. Besides, mechanical properties were improved significantly, i.e., by 15% for ultimate tensile strength and three times for elongation.

Influence of samarium content on microstructure and mechanical properties of recycled die-cast YL112 aluminum alloys

The influence of Sm （Samarium） content on microstructure and mechanical properties of recycled die-cast YLl12 aluminum alloys was investigated. The results show that many small Sm-rich particles form in the recycled die-cast YLl12 alloys with Sm addition. At the same time, the secondary dendrite arm spacing in the YLl12 alloys modified with Sm is smaller than that of the unmodified alloy. The eutectic Si of recycled die- cast YL112-xSm alloys transforms from coarse acicular morphology to fine fibres. Mechanical properties of the investigated recycled die-cast YLl12 aluminum alloys are enhanced with Sm addition, and a maximal ultimate tensile strength value （276 MPa） and elongation （3.76%） are achieved at a Sm content of 0.6wt.%. Due to the modification of eutectic Si by Sm, numerous tearing ridges and tiny dimples on the fractures of tensile samples are observed.

On the deformation behavior of heterogeneous microstructure and its effect on the mechanical properties of die cast AZ91D magnesium alloy

Both a conventional flow distributer and an improved one with a flow buffer were applied respectively during the high pressure die casting(HPDC)process,and samples of AZ91D magnesium alloy with different microstructure mainly consisting ofα-Mg grains,β-phase and porosities were obtained.According to the grain orientation analysis,the predominant deformation behavior inα-Mg grains was dislocation slip,supplemented by deformation twinning.Dislocation slip was more difficult to occur in the samples with the improved flow distributer on account of the fact that the size ofα-Mg grains in the microstructure was finer and more uniform.During the in situ tensile deformation test,cracks were observed to initiate from gas-shrinkage pore and island-shrinkage,and two main crack propagation mechanisms,porosity growth and coalescence were found accordingly.When the crack was in contact with theβ-phase,it would pass through and fracture the networkβ-phase,whereas bypass the islandβ-phase by detaching it from the surroundingα-Mg grains.Mechanical property tests showed that the samples with relatively more homogeneous microstructure would perform higher mechanical properties,which was the combined effect of matrixα-Mg grains,β-phase,and porosities.

High Temperature Mechanical Properties of Ni-Al-Cr Based Alloys for Advanced Die-Materials Applications

In this study, we report on advanced Ni3Al based high temperature structural alloys with Zr and B addition in order to apply in the fields of die-casting and high temperature press forming as die materials. Microstructures and mechanical properties of Ni3Al based intermetallic alloys produced by vacuum arc melting were investigated in terms of phase analysis by using a scanning electron microscope （SEM） equipped with an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer （EDS）, an X-ray diffractometer （XRD） and tensile test. The duplex microstructural feature consisting of γ＇ matrix phase and small intermetallic dispersoids was observed to be distributed over the whole microstructure. The ultimate tensile strength of the present alloy was superior to commercial iron-based and Ni-based die-materials especially in the high temperature region.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy processed by low pressure die casting

AZ91D alloy components were cast by low pressure die casting (LPDC) process. The mechanical properties of cast components with different microstructural features (shrinkage and distribution of Mg17Al12 second phase) were investigated under as-cast states. Compared with gravity casting, AZ91D with LPDC has much coarser grain size and second phases(Mg17Al12 and Al8Mn5). The different size and distribution of Mg17Al12 phase and shrinkage correspond to different mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strengths and elongations are mainly decided by the content and distribution of shrinkage porosity, while the yield strengths are determined by the percentage and distribution of Mg17Al12 phase. The more and finer Mg17Al12 phase in the alloy, the relatively higher the yield strengths are. In the alloy without shrinkage, the mechanical properties are mainly determined by the size and distribution of Mg17Al12 phase. The finer Mg17Al12 phase, the better the mechanical properties are. Under optimal process, the density and mechanical properties of LPDC AZ91D are improved with fine microstructures.

铸造增压压力对汽车用AlSi9Mg铝合金组织和力学性能的影响

通过改变低压铸造过程中不同增压压力来研究其对AlSi9Mg合金显微组织与力学性能的影响。结果表明,在高增压压力制备的AlSi9Mg合金样品具有更加致密的显微组织及更接近球形的共晶Si颗粒。同时,由于具有更好的填充能力,高增压压力下合金的气孔缺陷大大减少,合金具有更优异的力学性能。在90、150、210 kPa3种不同级别的增压压力下,晶粒尺寸呈逐渐减小的趋势,对应的合金晶粒尺寸和二次枝晶臂间距分别为246、197、149μm,44.9、37.3、31.1μm;3种增压压力对应的密度和孔隙率分别为2.656、2.659、2.674 g/cm^(3),0.96%、0.79%、0.38%;AlSi9Mg合金的抗拉强度、屈服强度和伸长率分别为238.76、174.68 MPa和3.14%;252.43、177.47 MPa和4.61%;256.10、178.81 MPa和6.85%,分别提高了7.26%、2.36%、118.15%。

整体式副车架液态模锻及其性能

液态模锻是铝合金件高性能成型的先进工艺,文章将液态模锻技术用于整体式副车架成型,着重研究液锻工艺方案和液锻副车架性能的均匀性。模拟研究表明,单浇道液锻比设有辅助浇道的液锻汇流位置少、表面质量高、工艺出品率高。试生产发现,利用广州和德轻量化成型技术有限公司设计制造的HVSC2500T卧式液态模锻机进行A356.2铝合金副车架的单浇道液锻,能够获得完整无缺的副车架,本体取样拉伸强度可达320 MPa,延伸率达11.12%。但是,在远离浇道和存在汇流的位置普遍存在夹渣缺陷,副车架强度和塑性都较低。

比压对液态模锻铍青铜件组织和性能的影响

目的针对先铸坯再模锻方法工艺流程长、能耗高、成本高的缺点,将液态模锻工艺应用于铍青铜件的成形制造中,以提高零件的成形质量、降低成本和能耗。方法在工业生产条件下,对比研究了主要工艺参数比压对液态模锻铍青铜件试样拉伸性能、冲击性能、硬度及晶粒特征的影响规律。结果当液锻比压从40 MPa提高至80 MPa时,液锻铍青铜的晶粒尺寸可以细化至65μm以下,抗拉强度提高了150 MPa,伸长率由20%提高至40%,硬度和冲击韧性分别提高了35HBW和20 J/cm^(2)。结论液锻比压是影响铍青铜液锻件组织和性能的关键因素,随着液锻比压的增大,液锻铍青铜件晶粒被显著细化,强度、塑性、硬度和冲击韧性均得到显著提高。

LB/M复相热处理工艺对冷作模具钢DC53组织和力学性能的影响

本文研究了不同预淬火温度的QTA(Quenching-Tempering-Austempering)复相热处理工艺(Q为1030℃,30 min;T为520℃,2 h;A为250℃,3 h)对冷作模具钢DC53的微观组织和力学性能及摩擦磨损性能的影响,并与常规淬火-回火(Quenching-Tempering,QT)热处理工艺(Q为1030℃,30 min;T为520℃,2 h)进行对比。结果表明,QT工艺得到的组织以回火马氏体为主;QTA工艺可以得到下贝氏体/马氏体(Lower Bainite/Martensite,LB/M)为主的复相组织,这些复相对原奥氏体晶粒的分割产生的细晶强化作用部分抵消了LB和残余奥氏体(A_(R))的弱化作用,并且,这些复杂的微观组织极大提升了DC53钢的冲击韧性;当QTA的预淬温度为100℃时,其硬度仅比QT工艺低1.4HRC,但是冲击吸收能量却是QT工艺的2.44倍。因此,优化的QTA工艺可以得到较高的强韧综合性能。

辊模在高碳钢丝连续拉拔中的应用

采用2种拉拔应变对高碳钢丝进行辊模拉拔,并与传统拉拔对比。结果表明:在拉拔应变1.12时,辊模拉拔钢丝的抗拉强度、扭转性能、弯曲性能、金相组织、捻制断丝率与传统拉拔相近;在拉拔应变2.21时,辊模拉拔和传统拉拔相比,钢丝抗拉强度更高,扭转性能、弯曲性能较差,金相组织不均匀程度更大,捻制断丝率明显升高。在钢丝材质、机床功率、拉拔速度、道次压缩率等因素相同的情况下,辊模拉拔的能耗和传统拉拔相近。

压铸冷却速度对汽车用铝合金组织和力学性能的影响

主要研究了铸造冷却速度对A380和A383铝合金高压压铸过程中凝固行为的影响。设计了三种不同冷却速度的圆柱模具和三步充型压铸模具,并进行了高压压铸试验。对比了圆柱铸件与三步充型高压铸件的微观组织,分析了冷却速度对压铸铝合金枝晶臂间距等凝固特性及合金的力学性能的影响。结果表明,在高压压铸过程中,枝晶臂间距与冷却速度呈较强的正相关,合金的力学性能与冷却速度与合金的枝晶臂间距同样有着正相关,但随着冷却速度的逐渐增加,合金的力学性能增长幅度逐渐降低。

Cu含量和热处理工艺对Al-Si-Mg-Mn-xCu铸造铝合金显微组织和力学性能的影响

采用三维X射线显微镜、光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜及硬度测试系统研究Cu含量及热处理工艺对真空压铸Al-Si-Mg-Mn-xCu合金显微组织和力学性能的影响。研究发现,虽然Cu含量增加会提高铸锭中气孔的密度和尺寸,但是Cu添加将促进凝固过程中含Cu初生相(Q-Al_(5)Cu_(2)Mg_(8)Si_(6)和θ-Al_(2)Cu)的形成,从而提高合金性能。合金中形成5种不同结构的初生相,包括共晶Si、α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si、β-Mg_(2)Si、Q-Al_(5)Cu_(2)Mg_(8)Si_(6)和θ-Al_(2)Cu相。随着Cu含量增加,θ相的面积分数迅速增加,α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si相面积分数首先降低,随后缓慢增加,而Q相的变化趋势与α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si相相反。这些初生相在热处理过程中会出现不同的演变规律。在随后的时效处理过程中,Q'和θ'相的协同析出能显著提高合金的时效硬化潜力。