Prediction model for corrosion rate of low-alloy steels under atmospheric conditions using machine learning algorithms

This work constructed a machine learning(ML)model to predict the atmospheric corrosion rate of low-alloy steels(LAS).The material properties of LAS,environmental factors,and exposure time were used as the input,while the corrosion rate as the output.6 dif-ferent ML algorithms were used to construct the proposed model.Through optimization and filtering,the eXtreme gradient boosting(XG-Boost)model exhibited good corrosion rate prediction accuracy.The features of material properties were then transformed into atomic and physical features using the proposed property transformation approach,and the dominant descriptors that affected the corrosion rate were filtered using the recursive feature elimination(RFE)as well as XGBoost methods.The established ML models exhibited better predic-tion performance and generalization ability via property transformation descriptors.In addition,the SHapley additive exPlanations(SHAP)method was applied to analyze the relationship between the descriptors and corrosion rate.The results showed that the property transformation model could effectively help with analyzing the corrosion behavior,thereby significantly improving the generalization ability of corrosion rate prediction models.

Effect of temperature and time on the precipitation ofκ-carbides in Fe-28Mn-10Al-0.8C low-density steels:Aging mechanism and its impact on material properties

In low-density steel,κ-carbides primarily precipitate in the form of nanoscale particles within austenite grains.However,their precipitation within ferrite matrix grains has not been comprehensively explored,and the second-phase evolution mechanism during aging remains unclear.In this study,the crystallographic characteristics and morphological evolution ofκ-carbides in Fe-28Mn-10Al-0.8C(wt%)low-density steel at different aging temperatures and times and the impacts of these changes on the steels’microhardness and properties were comprehensively analyzed.Under different heat treatment conditions,intragranularκ-carbides exhibited various morpho-logical and crystallographic characteristics,such as acicular,spherical,and short rod-like shapes.At the initial stage of aging,acicularκ-carbides primarily precipitated,accompanied by a few spherical carbides.κ-Carbides grew and coarsened with aging time,the spherical carbides were considerably reduced,and rod-like carbides coarsened.Vickers hardness testing demonstrated that the material’s hardness was affected by the volume fraction,morphology,and size ofκ-carbides.Extended aging at higher temperatures led to an increase in carbide size and volume fraction,resulting in a gradual rise in hardness.During deformation,the primary mechanisms for strengthening were dislocation strengthening and second-phase strengthening.Based on these findings,potential strategies for improving material strength are proposed.

Critical precipitation behavior of MnTe inclusions in resulfurized steels during solidification

Te treatment is an effective method for modifying sulfide inclusions,and MnTe precipitation has an important effect on thermal brittleness and steel corrosion resistance.In most actual industrial applications of Te treatment,MnTe precipitation is unexpected.The critical precipitation behavior of MnTe inclusions was investigated through scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,machine learning,and first-principles calculation.MnTe preferentially precipitated at the container mouth for sphere-like sulfides and at the interface between MnS grain boundaries and steel matrix for rod-like sulfides.The MnS/MnTe interface was semicoherent.A composition transition zone with a rock-salt structure exhibiting periodic changes existed to maintain the semicoherent interface.The critical precipitation behavior of MnTe inclusions in resulfurized steels involved three stages at varying temperatures.First,Mn(S,Te)precipitated during solidification.Second,MnTe with a rock-salt structure precipitated from Mn(S,Te).Third,MnTe with a hexagonal NiAs structure transformed from the rock-salt structure.The solubility of Te in MnS decreased with decreasing temperature.The critical precipitation behavior of MnTe inclusions in resulfurized steels was related to the MnS precipitation temperature.With the increase in MnS precipitation temperature,the critical Te/S weight ratio decreased.In consideration of the cost-effectiveness of Te addition for industrial production,the Te content in resulfurized steels should be controlled in accordance with MnS precipitation temperature and S content.

Electromagnetic responses on microstructures of duplex stainless steels based on 3D cellular and electromagnetic sensor finite element models

Microstructures determine mechanical properties of steels,but in actual steel product process it is difficult to accurately control the microstructure to meet the requirements.General microstructure characterization methods are time consuming and results are not rep-resentative for overall quality level as only a fraction of steel sample was selected to be examined.In this paper,a macro and micro coupled 3D model was developed for nondestructively characterization of steel microstructures.For electromagnetic signals analysis,the relative permeability value computed by the micro cellular model can be used in the macro electromagnetic sensor model.The effects of different microstructure components on the relative permeability of duplex stainless steel(grain size,phase fraction,and phase distribu-tion)were discussed.The output inductance of an electromagnetic sensor was determined by relative permeability values and can be val-idated experimentally.The findings indicate that the inductance value of an electromagnetic sensor at low frequency can distinguish dif-ferent microstructures.This method can be applied to real-time on-line characterize steel microstructures in process of steel rolling.

Review on the plastic instability of medium -Mn steels for identifying the formation mechanisms of Lüders and Portevin -Le Chatelier bands

Plastic instability,including both the discontinuous yielding and stress serrations,has been frequently observed during the tensile deformation of medium-Mn steels(MMnS)and has been intensively studied in recent years.Unfortunately,research results are controversial,and no consensus has been achieved regarding the topic.Here,we first summarize all the possible factors that affect the yielding and flow stress serrations in MMnS,including the morphology and stability of austenite,the feature of the phase interface,and the deformation parameters.Then,we propose a universal mechanism to explain the conflicting experimental results.We conclude that the discontinuous yielding can be attributed to the lack of mobile dislocation before deformation and the rapid dislocation multiplication at the beginning of plastic deformation.Meanwhile,the results show that the stress serrations are formed due to the pinning and depinning between dislocations and interstitial atoms in austenite.Strain-induced martensitic transformation,influenced by the mechanical stability of austenite grain and deformation parameters,should not be the intrinsic cause of plastic instability.However,it can intensify or weaken the discontinuous yielding and the stress serrations by affecting the mobility and density of dislocations,as well as the interaction between the interstitial atoms and dislocations in austenite grains.

Interplay between temperature-dependent strengthening mechanisms and mechanical stability in high-performance austenitic stainless steels

The effects of deformation temperature on the transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP)-aided 304L,twinning-induced plasti-city(TWIP)-assisted 316L,and highly alloyed stable 904L austenitic stainless steels were compared for the first time to tune the mechan-ical properties,strengthening mechanisms,and strength-ductility synergy.For this purpose,the scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD),X-ray diffraction(XRD),tensile testing,work-hardening analysis,and thermodynamics calcu-lations were used.The induced plasticity effects led to a high temperature-dependency of work-hardening behavior in the 304L and 316L stainless steels.As the deformation temperature increased,the metastable 304L stainless steel showed the sequence of TRIP,TWIP,and weakening of the induced plasticity mechanism;while the disappearance of the TWIP effect in the 316L stainless steel was also observed.However,the solid-solution strengthening in the 904L superaustenitic stainless steel maintained the tensile properties over a wide temper-ature range,surpassing the performance of 304L and 316L stainless steels.In this regard,the dependency of the total elongation on the de-formation temperature was less pronounced for the 904L alloy due to the absence of additional plasticity mechanisms.These results re-vealed the importance of solid-solution strengthening and the associated high friction stress for superior mechanical behavior over a wide temperature range.

Temperature-jump tensile tests to induce optimized TRIP/TWIP effect in a metastable austenitic stainless steel

In the present work,plastic deformation mechanisms were initially tailored by adjusting the deformation temperature in the range of 0 to 200℃ in AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel,aiming to optimize the strength-ductility synergy.It was shown that the combined twinning-induced plasticity(TWIP)/transformation-induced plasticity(TRIP)effects and a wider strain range for the TRIP effect up to higher strains by adjusting the deformation temperature are good strategies to improve the strength-ductility synergy of this metastable stainless steel.In this regard,by consideration of the observed temperature-dependency of plastic deformation,the controlled sequence of TWIP and TRIP effects for archiving superior strength-ductility trade-off was intended by the pre-designed temperature jump tensile tests.Accordingly,the optimum tensile toughness of 846 MJ/m^(3) and total elongation to 133% were obtained by this strategy via exploiting the advantages of the TWIP effect at 100℃ and the TRIP effect at 25℃ at the later stages of the straining.Consequently,a deformation-temperature-transformation(DTT)diagram was developed for this metastable alloy.Moreover,based on work-hardening analysis,it was found that the main phenomenon constraining further improvement in the ductility and strengthening was the yielding of the deformation-induced α′-martensite.

A review on the multi-scaled structures and mechanical/thermal properties of tool steels fabricated by laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

The laser powder bed fusion(LPBF) process can integrally form geometrically complex and high-performance metallic parts that have attracted much interest,especially in the molds industry.The appearance of the LPBF makes it possible to design and produce complex conformal cooling channel systems in molds.Thus,LPBF-processed tool steels have attracted more and more attention.The complex thermal history in the LPBF process makes the microstructural characteristics and properties different from those of conventional manufactured tool steels.This paper provides an overview of LPBF-processed tool steels by describing the physical phenomena,the microstructural characteristics,and the mechanical/thermal properties,including tensile properties,wear resistance,and thermal properties.The microstructural characteristics are presented through a multiscale perspective,ranging from densification,meso-structure,microstructure,substructure in grains,to nanoprecipitates.Finally,a summary of tool steels and their challenges and outlooks are introduced.

Progress in weldability research of duplex stainless steels

Duplex stainless steels(DSSs)show better corrosion resistance with higher strength than traditional austenite stainless steels in many aggressive environments,and can be welded properly with almost every welding processes,if proper heat input is provided.Progresses of research works on weldability of DSSs in recent years are reviewed in this paper.Balance control of ferrite/austenite phases is most important for DSSs welding.The phases balance can be controlled with filler materials,nitrogen addition in shielding gas,heat input,post weld heat treatment,and alternating magnetic field.Too high cooling rate results in not only extra ferrite,but also chromium nitride precipitation.While too low cooling rate or heating repeatedly results in precipitation of secondary austenite and intermetallic compounds.In both situations,mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the DSS joints deteriorate.Recommended upper and lower limits of heat input and maximum interpass temperature should be observed.

Development of a new irradiation-embrittlement prediction model for reactor pressure-vessel steels

Predicting the transition-temperature shift(TTS)induced by neutron irradiation in reactor pressure-vessel(RPV)steels is important for the evaluation and extension of nuclear power-plant lifetimes.Current prediction models may fail to properly describe the embrittlement trend curves of Chinese domestic RPV steels with relatively low Cu content.Based on the screened surveillance data of Chinese domestic and similar international RPV steels,we have developed a new fluencedependent model for predicting the irradiation-embrittlement trend.The fast neutron fluence(E>1 MeV)exhibited the highest correlation coefficient with the measured TTS data;thus,it is a crucial parameter in the prediction model.The chemical composition has little relevance to the TTS residual calculated by the fluence-dependent model.The results show that the newly developed model with a simple power-law functional form of the neutron fluence is suitable for predicting the irradiation-embrittlement trend of Chinese domestic RPVs,regardless of the effect of the chemical composition.

A Physical Core-Loss Model for Laminated Magnetic Sheet Steels

A full-frequency instant core-loss equation built from the induction physical model of magnetic materials, where the iron loss, eddy loss, and hysteresis loss no longer have an integral term, and this new equation provides high simulation accuracy and performs dynamic core loss analysis on non-sinusoidal or pulse magnetic fields. The simulation examples use a high-grade electrical steel sheet 65CS400 by Epstein experimental data covering magnetic field 0.1 - 1.8 T and frequency 50 - 5000 Hz, and the average error of the simulated core loss is less than 4%. Since the simulation is converged by magnetic physical parameters, so the physical relevance of the similar laminated materials can be compared with the coefficient results. .

Effect of Ni content on the weldability of middle-chromium hyperpure ferritic stainless steels 00Cr21Ti

Excellent weldability substantially contributes to the intrinsic quality of steels,while appropriate chemical composition plays a primary role in the essential weldability of steels.The poor weldability of ferritic stainless steels could be improved through modification with minor alloy elements while minimally increasing the cost.Therefore,studying the effect of minor alloy elements on the weldability of steels is of considerable importance.In this study,several steels of middle-chromium hyperpure ferritic stainless 00Cr21Ti with different Ni content(0.3%,0.5%,0.8%,and 1.0%)were developed,and their weldabilities of butt joint samples welded using the metal inert gas welding process,including the influence of welded joints on the microstructure,tensile performance,corrosion resistance,and fatigue property,were investigated.Results show that the steels with w(Ni)≥0.8%exhibit excellent mechanical properties compared with those with low-Ni content steels,further,their impact toughness at normal atmospheric temperature meets the industrial application standard and the fatigue property is similar to that of 304 austenitic stainless steel.Moreover,results show that the corrosion resistance of all the samples is almost at the same level.The results acquired in this study are supposed to be useful for the optimization of the chemical composition of stainless steels aiming to improve weldability.

表面喷丸及退火处理对Fe-30Mn-3Al-3Si TWIP钢组织与性能的影响

为实现强韧化,对Fe-30Mn-3Al-3Si TWIP钢进行了表面喷丸及退火热处理。采用金相显微镜、X射线衍射仪和透射电子显微镜等手段分析了喷丸以及喷丸结合退火处理对TWIP钢显微组织结构的影响,并利用显微维氏硬度计和万能材料试验机对原始样品、喷丸以及喷丸结合退火处理样品的硬度分布、力学性能及加工硬化行为进行了研究。分析结果表明,喷丸可在TWIP钢表面引起强烈的塑性变形,并形成包含60~100 nm大小的位错胞块的强烈形变层和包含微纳尺度形变孪晶结构的过渡层。该纳米-微米尺度的晶粒尺寸梯度结构可以将TWIP钢表面强烈形变层的硬度显著提升至366 HV0.1,并在残余压应力联合作用下使试样的屈服强度提升至485 MPa,均远高于初始样品的对应值。但受喷丸引起的表面粗糙和强烈形变层纳米晶塑性低的影响,其断后延伸率仅为41.8%。退火处理后,喷丸样品中的形变组织发生回复与再结晶,其中强烈形变层位置的再结晶晶粒尺寸为1~3μm,硬度也降低至215 HV0.1。所形成的微米-微米尺度晶粒尺寸梯度结构试样的屈服强度降低至261 MPa,但延伸率增加至65.3%。晶粒尺寸梯度结构有助于增加TWIP钢屈服与抗拉强度,但不利于延伸率的提升。

TWIP钢表面Ni-P化学镀层组织结构及性能研究

目的在孪生诱发塑性钢(TWIP)表面制备Ni-P镀层,提高TWIP钢的耐腐蚀性能。方法通过化学镀工艺在TWIP钢表面制备了高磷Ni-P镀层,并进行不同温度的热处理,利用扫描电镜及能谱仪、X射线衍射仪及原子力显微镜等探究了热处理温度和时间对Ni-P镀层形貌和组织结构的影响。通过电化学方法研究了TWIP钢表面镀层的耐蚀性能。结果随着热处理温度的升高,镍磷原子发生迁移,胞状组织边界模糊,粗糙度降低,其中600℃热处理镀层表面最为致密平整。随着热处理温度的升高,镀层组织结构演变过程如下:非晶态(普通镀层)→非晶态部分晶化,Ni12P5、Ni5P2等亚稳态镍磷化合物析出(300℃)→非晶态完全晶化、稳态Ni3P相长大(400℃)→晶粒长大(500℃、600℃)。Ni-P镀层能够明显提升TWIP钢的耐腐蚀性能。随着热处理温度的升高,镀层的耐蚀性能先降低后升高。600℃热处理1h镀层的腐蚀电流密度为0.25μA/cm^(2),与普通Ni-P镀层相比降低了80.9%,与TWIP钢基体相比降低了99.6%。600℃热处理镀层光滑致密无缺陷的表面促进了保护性氧化膜的产生,使镀层的耐蚀性能提高。结论合适的热处理工艺提高了Ni-P镀层的致密性和保护能力,光滑致密无缺陷的镀层能够为TWIP钢提供良好的防护。

Advances in machine learning-and artificial intelligence-assisted material design of steels

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology and increasing material data,machine learning-and artificial intelligence-assisted design of high-performance steel materials is becoming a mainstream paradigm in materials science.Machine learning methods,based on an interdisciplinary discipline between computer science,statistics and material science,are good at discovering correlations between numerous data points.Compared with the traditional physical modeling method in material science,the main advantage of machine learning is that it overcomes the complex physical mechanisms of the material itself and provides a new perspective for the research and development of novel materials.This review starts with data preprocessing and the introduction of different machine learning models,including algorithm selection and model evaluation.Then,some successful cases of applying machine learning methods in the field of steel research are reviewed based on the main theme of optimizing composition,structure,processing,and performance.The application of machine learning methods to the performance-oriented inverse design of material composition and detection of steel defects is also reviewed.Finally,the applicability and limitations of machine learning in the material field are summarized,and future directions and prospects are discussed.

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Fe-Mn-(Al, Si) TRIP/TWIP Steels

The mechanical properties and microstructure of two low carbon high manganese steels with 23.8% （No. 1） and 33% （No. 2） （mass percent） of manganese were investigated. The results showed that No. 1 steel possesses high strength and high plasticity, and No. 2 steel has a relatively high strength and extraordinary plasticity. The No. 1 steel exhibits both TRIP （transformation induced plasticity） and TWIP （twin induced plasticity） effects during the deformation; while only TWIP effect appeared under the same deformation condition for No. 2 steel. The comparison between the microstructures and mechanical properties of two steels was made, and the strengthening mechanisms were also analyzed.

TWIP钢低温塑性变形机理的原位电镜研究

本文采用透射电镜中的原位低温拉伸测试技术,进行了-50℃、-120℃及-180℃下孪晶诱导塑性变形(TWIP)钢均匀塑性变形阶段的变形缺陷行为分析,研究了温度变化对于TWIP钢中的位错滑移与孪生行为的影响。研究发现,TWIP钢在-50℃下激活了常规滑移之外的其它滑移系;随着温度的进一步降低,TWIP钢中位错活性未发生明显下降,特别是需要热激活辅助的位错交滑移在-180℃下仍可发生。同时研究结果说明,低温下TWIP钢强塑性的保持由多种变形机制共同协调作用:形变孪生、孪晶与位错相互作用、位错交滑移及其引起的位错相互作用,本质是其孪生行为与位错滑移的活性同时得到了保持。

Fe-Mn-C-Al系TWIP钢拉伸过程中的加工硬化行为

对退火后Fe-Mn-C-Al系孪生诱发塑性(TWIP)钢进行不同变形量(1.5%,4.0%,39.0%,47.0%,52.0%,62.0%)的室温单向拉伸试验,研究了该钢在拉伸过程中的加工硬化行为及显微组织演变。结果表明:随着变形量增加,TWIP钢奥氏体晶粒内部开始出现形变孪晶,且密度不断提高,变形机制由位错滑移变为孪生和位错共同作用,拉伸断口呈典型韧性断裂特征;试验钢弹性变形阶段短暂,无明显的屈服平台和物理屈服点,塑性变形阶段存在长加工硬化过程;试验钢的加工硬化率先随真应变增加而急剧下降,此时加工硬化机制以位错强化为主,随着真应变继续增加,加工硬化率增加,在应变为0.55时达到峰值,后趋于平缓,加工硬化机制主要为孪晶强化。

Development and prospects of molten steel deoxidation in steelmaking process

In the long traditional process of steelmaking,excess oxygen is blown into the converter,and alloying elements are used for deoxidation.This inevitably results in excessive deoxidation of products remaining within the steel liquid,affecting the cleanliness of the steel.With the increasing requirements for steel performance,reducing the oxygen content in the steel liquid and ensuring its high cleanliness is necessary.After more than a hundred years of development,the total oxygen content in steel has been reduced from approximately 100×10^(-6)to approximately 10×10^(-6),and it can be controlled below 5×10^(-6)in some steel grades.A relatively stable and mature deoxidation technology has been formed,but further reducing the oxygen content in steel is no longer significant for improving steel quality.Our research team developed a deoxidation technology for bearing steel by optimizing the entire conventional process.The technology combines silicon–manganese predeoxidation,ladle furnace diffusion deoxidation,and vacuum final deoxidation.We successfully conducted industrial experiments and produced interstitial-free steel with natural decarbonization predeoxidation.Non-aluminum deoxidation was found to control the oxygen content in bearing steel to between 4×10^(-6) and 8×10^(-6),altering the type of inclusions,eliminating large particle Ds-type inclusions,improving the flowability of the steel liquid,and deriving a higher fatigue life.The natural decarbonization predeoxidation of interstitial-free steel reduced aluminum consumption and production costs and significantly improved the quality of cast billets.

Energy absorption characteristics of novel high-strength and hightoughness steels used for rock support

Nowadays,the development of novel metallic materials for rock support have attracted research interests since they can significantly improve the deformation and energy absorption capacities of rock bolts.Although previous studies proved the importance and mechanical advantages of utilizing high-strength and high-toughness(HSHT)steels in rock support,there is no systematic analysis to reveal the essential energy absorption parameter and the guidelines for further development of metallic rock support materials.This paper analyzes the energy absorption characteristics of novel HSHT steels(negative Poisson’s ratio(NPR)and twinning-induced plasticity(TWIP)steels)in comparison with conventional rock support materials.A physically based crystal plasticity(CP)model was set up and calibrated to study the effect of strain hardening rate(SHR).Meanwhile,the roles of underlying physical mechanisms,i.e.the dislocation density and twin volume fraction,were studied.The results show that the improvement of energy absorption density(EAD)is essential for further development of rock support materials,besides the increase of energy absorption rate(EAR)for previous development of conventional rock support materials.The increase of EAD requires increases of both strength and deformation capacity of materials.For HSHT steels,the decrease of SHR has a positive effect on the improvement of EAD.In addition,the increase of EAD is followed by the increase of twin volume fraction and the decrease of plastic Poisson’s ratio which can promote deformation plasticity of materials.Meanwhile,the increase of EAR is correlated with the accumulation of dislocation density,which can increase the strength of materials.This paper provides the theoretical basis and guidelines for developing rock support materials in deep underground engineering and other related fields.