Isothermal Growth Kinetics of Ultra-fine Austenite Grains in a Nb-V-Ti Microalloyed Steel

Ultra-fine austenite grains with size of i-3 μm were prepared in a Nb-V-Ti steel through repetitive treatment of rapid heating and quenching. A model for the growth kinetics of these ultra-fine austenite grains was successfully created through successive 2 processes, and the activation energy Q for growth was estimated to be about 693.2 kJ/mol, which directly shows the inhibition effect of microalloy elements on the growth of ultra-fine austenite grains.

The effect of V-Nb on the growth of austenite grains in 17CrNiMo6 gear steel

This study researches the effect of V-Nb on the growth of austenite grains in 17CrNiMo6 carburized gear steel. Results show that the carbonitride in V and Nb acts as second-phase particles in the steel, which can be used to block the migration of grain boundaries and the thinning of the austenite grains. This causes the crystals in the V-Nb microalloy 17CrNiMo6 steel to coarsen and the temperature to rise, thus reducing the cost of the carbonization that follows processing on the gears.

Growth behavior of ultrafine austenite grains in microalloyed steel

Ultrafine austenite gains （UFAGs） with size of 1-5 μm were prepared through repetitive treatment, four times, of rapid heating and quenching, and the growth behaviors of these UFACs during both the reheating and cooling stages were investigated. The results indicated that UFAGs without pinning particles appeared with significant coarsening when the reheating temperature reached 1000 ℃. Although coarsening still occurred in the cooling stage, the growth was obscured during the isothermal holding process at temperatures between 900 ℃ and At3.

Influence of prior austenite grain size on the critical strain for completion of DEFT through hot compression test

A low carbon steel was used to determine the critical strain εc for completion of deformation enhanced ferrite transformation （DEFT） through a series of hot compression tests. In addition, the influence of prior austenite grain size （PAGS） on the critical strain was systematically investigated. Experimental results showed that the critical strain is affected by PAGS. When γ→α transformation completes, the smaller the PAGS is, the smaller the critical strain is. The ferrite grains obtained through DEFT can be refined to about 3 μm when the DEFT is completed.

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.

Prior austenite grain boundary recognition in martensite microstructure based on deep learning

Grain size determination is essential in producing and testing iron and steel materials.Grain size determination of martensitic steels usually requires etching with picric acid to reveal the prior austenite grain boundaries.However,picric acid is toxic and explosive and belongs to hazardous chemicals,which makes it difficult for laboratories and testing institutions to obtain.A new experimental method was developed to use Nital etchant instead of picric acid.The deep learning method was used to recognize the prior austenite grain boundaries in the etched martensite microstructure,and the grain size could be determined according to the recognition result.Firstly,the polished martensite specimen was etched twice with Nital etchant and picric acid,respectively,and the same position was observed using an optical microscope.The images of the martensitic structure and its prior austenite grain boundary label were obtained,and a data set was constructed.Secondly,based on this data set,a convolutional neural network model with a semantic segmentation function was trained,and the accuracy rate of the test set was 87.53%.Finally,according to the recognition results of the model,the grain size rating can be automatically determined or provide a reference for experimenters,and the difference between the automatic determination results and the measured results is about 0.5 level.

Effect of deformation parameters on the austenite dynamic recrystallization behavior of a eutectoid pearlite rail steel

Understandings of the effect of hot deformation parameters close to the practical production line on grain refinement are crucial for enhancing both the strength and toughness of future rail steels.In this work,the austenite dynamic recrystallization(DRX)behaviors of a eutectoid pearlite rail steel were studied using a thermo-mechanical simulator with hot deformation parameters frequently employed in rail production lines.The single-pass hot deformation results reveal that the prior austenite grain sizes(PAGSs)for samples with different deformation reductions decrease initially with an increase in deformation temperature.However,once the deformation temperature is beyond a certain threshold,the PAGSs start to increase.It can be attributed to the rise in DRX volume fraction and the increase of DRX grain with deformation temperature,respectively.Three-pass hot deformation results show that the accumulated strain generated in the first and second deformation passes can increase the extent of DRX.In the case of complete DRX,PAGS is predominantly determined by the deformation temperature of the final pass.It suggests a strategic approach during industrial production where part of the deformation reduction in low temperature range can be shifted to the medium temperature range to release rolling mill loads.

Grain boundary engineering for enhancing intergranular damage resistance of ferritic/martensitic steel P92

Ferritic/martensitic(F/M)steel is widely used as a structural material in thermal and nuclear power plants.However,it is susceptible to intergranular damage,which is a critical issue,under service conditions.In this study,to improve the resistance to intergranular damage of F/M steel,a thermomechanical process(TMP)was employed to achieve a grain boundary engineering(GBE)microstructure in F/M steel P92.The TMP,including cold-rolling thickness reduction of 6%,9%,and 12%,followed by austenitization at 1323 K for 40 min and tempering at 1053 K for 45 min,was applied to the as-received(AR)P92 steel.The prior austenite grain(PAG)size,prior austenite grain boundary character distribution(GBCD),and connectivity of prior austenite grain boundaries(PAGBs)were investigated.Compared to the AR specimen,the PAG size did not change significantly.The fraction of coincident site lattice boundaries(CSLBs,3≤Σ≤29)and Σ3^(n) boundaries along PAGBs decreased with increasing reduction ratio because the recrystallization fraction increased with increasing reduction ratio.The PAGB connectivity of the 6%deformed specimen slightly deteriorated compared with that of the AR specimen.Moreover,potentiodynamic polarization studies revealed that the intergranular damage resistance of the studied steel could be improved by increasing the fraction of CSLBs along the PAGBs,indicating that the TMP,which involves low deformation,could enhance the intergranular damage resistance.

Three-dimensional Numerical Simulation and Experimental Analysis of Austenite Grain Growth Behavior in Hot Forging Processes of 300M Steel Large Components

The microstructure models were integrated into finite element（FE）code,and a three-dimensional（3D）FE analysis on the entire hot forging processes of 300 M steel large components was performed to predict the distributions of effective strain,temperature field and austenite grain size.The simulated results show that the finest grains distribute in the maximum effective strain region because large strain induces the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization.However,coarse macro-grains appear in the minimum effective strain region.Then,300 M steel forging test was performed to validate the results of FE simulation,and microstructure observations and quantitative analysis were implemented.The average relative difference between the calculated and experimental austenite grain size is 7.56%,implying that the present microstructure models are reasonable and can be used to analyze the hot forging processes of 300 M steel.

A New Route for Identification of Precipitates on Austenite Grain Boundary in an Nb-V-Ti Microalloyed Steel

The precipitates on austenite grain boundaries in an Nb-V-Ti microalloyed steel have been investigated by transmission electron microscope （TEM） examination of carbon extraction replica. The replica was prepared from specimen etched with saturated picric solution rather than Nital which is conventionally used. Then particles on both grain boundaries and triple point of grain [aoundaries were clearly observed and identified as （Nb,Ti）（C, N） parti- cles. In case of conventional way, it is difficult to determine the location of particles with respect to austenite grain boundaries. The number of particles observed in new way developed was greatly reduced compared with that found in replica prepared by the conventional way, which may be caused by the dissolution of partial precipitates during the etching with longer time and at higher temperature involved in new way. Despite this, the new way developed pro- vides an effective way to determine the precipitate particles on austenite urain boundaries_

Modification for prediction model of austenite grain size at surface of microalloyed steel slabs based on in situ observation

The initial solidification process of microalloyed steels was simulated using a confocal scanning laser microscope,and the growth behavior of austenite grain was observed in situ.The method for measuring the initial austenite grain size was studied,and the M_(0)^(*)(the parameter to describe the grain boundary migration)values at different cooling rates were then calculated using the initial austenite grain size and the final grain size.Next,a newly modified model for predicting the austenite grain size was established by introducing the relationship between M_(0)^(*)and the cooling rate,and the value calculated from the modified model closely corresponds to the measured value,with average relative error being less than 5%.Further,the relationship between T^(γ)(the starting temperature for austenite grain growth)and equivalent carbon content C_(P)(C_(P)>0.18%)was obtained by in situ observation,and it was introduced into the modified model,which expanded the application scope of the model.Taking the continuous casting slab produced by a steel plant as the experimental object,the modified austenite grain size prediction model was used to predict the austenite grain size at different depths of oscillation mark on the surface of slab,and the predicted value was in good agreement with the actual measured value.

Carbide dissolution and austenite grain growth behavior of a new ultrahigh-strength stainless steel

The isothermal grain growth behavior for a new ultrahigh-strength stainless steel (UHSSS) is investigated in temperature range from 900 to 1150 ℃ and holding time range from 0 to 20 min. In the temperature range from 1000 to 1050 ℃, a bimodal grain size distribution was induced by different austenite grain growth rates which resulted from the weakened pin-ning effect by the partial dissolution of M6C particles along austenite grain boundaries. Further raising heating temperatures, M6C particles almost dissolved and the bimodal grain size distribution phenomenon became weakened, indicating that the austenite grain coarsening temperature of the new UHSSS was close to 1050 ℃. According to the present experimental results, a pragmatic mathematical model based on the Arrhenius equations was developed to predict the austenite grain growth process, which elaborated the influence of heating temperature, holding time and initial grain size on the austenite grain growth. Predictions for the new UHSSS presented a good agreement with experimental results.

Effect of Mo content on nano-scaled particles,prior austenite grains and impact toughness of CGHAZ in offshore engineering steels

The effect of Mo on nano-scaled particles,prior austenite grains and impact toughness of coarse-grained heat-affected zone(CGHAZ)in offshore engineering steels with Ca deoxidation was studied.The heat-affected zone(HAZ)toughness of Mo16 steel is obviously higher than that of Mo8 steel at all the heat inputs of 50,100,150 and 200 kJ/cm,with HAZ toughness of both steels decreased with increasing the welding heat input.When the Mo content is increased from 0.08 to 0.16%,the size of nano-scaled particles in HAZ is decreased from 18 to 15 nm,and their number density is increased from 0.7 to 0.9μm^(−2).Thus,the Zener pinning force is increased,and the prior austenite grain size(PAGS)is decreased,leading to the improved HAZ toughness.Microstructural characterizations show that the nano-scaled particles in both steels are Ti(C,N)with the solute elements of Nb and Mo.The calculated critical particle size of TiN is 10.2 and 8.4 nm in Mo8 and Mo16 steels at 1350℃,and the particles larger than the critical size are stable during the welding process.From the Zener pinning force calculation,Ti(C,N)particles play the more important role in the pinning effect on the prior austenite grain growth.Based on the regression analysis by the MATLAB results,the predicted values of PAGS at different heat inputs are well fitted with the experimental data.

Austenite Grain Size Evolution in Railway Wheel During Multi-Stage Forging Processes

The knowledge of microstructure evolution of railway wheel during hot forming process is the prerequisite of improving mechanical properties of the final product.In order to investigate the austenite grain size evolution of railway wheel during multi-stage forging process,mathematical models of recrystallization and austenite grain growth were derived firstly by hot compression tests for railway wheel steel CL50D,which then were integrated with a thermal-mechanical finite element model by the developed subroutines.The information about kinetics of recrystallization and grain size distribution during the forging process was obtained by simulation.The predicted results were validated by experiments in an industrial scale,and the average error between the predicted grain sizes and the measured ones is about 5%.The result shows that,under the current railway wheel forging process,the grain size distribution after final forging is inhomogeneous extremely.There is a narrow coarse grain zone between the external part and center of the hub caused by static recrystallization after final forging.With cooling of 60 s after final forging,the grain size is about 85 μm for the areas near the web surface and 175 μm for center areas of the hub and rim.

Microstructure Evolving Behaviors of Undercooled Ultrafine Austenite Grains During Deformation

Samples with ultrafine grained austenite were prepared by repetitive rapid heating and quenching for three times and were used to investigate the dynamic microstructural evolving behaviors at different temperatures. A sim- ultaneous development of dynamic straiminduced transformation （DSIT） and austenite grain growth was detected at the deformation temperatures above At3 , while only DSIT happened as the deformation proceeded at lower temperatures close to and below At3. In addition, a reverse ferrite-to-austenite transformation was also observed. Most of the strain induced ferrite nucleated on the boundaries of ultrafine prior austenite grains, especially at the corners and no evidence about intragranular nucleus was obviously obtained.

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.

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

The growth dynamics of austenite grains was investigated in 60CrMnMo steel with different RE elements. The results show that austenite grains of 60CrMnMo steel can be refined and their growth can be restrained by adding a certain amount of RE. From the experimental results, the values of n and Q were evaluated.

Analysis of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrafine Grained Low Carbon Steel

A novel design scheme of hot stamping, quenching and partitioning process was conducted in a quenchable boron steel to obtain the nanometric duplex microstructure comprising ultrafine retained austenite and martensite. It is shown that the materials possess excellent mechanical properties and the ductility can be further improved without compromising the strength. The newly treated steel shows excellent mechanical properties and the total elongation of the steel increases from 6.6% to 14.8% compared with that of hot stamped and quenched steel. Therefore, this kind of steel has become another group of advanced high-strength steels. The microstructure which is mainly responsible for such excellent mechanical properties was investigated.