In the present work, a unique gradient cooling heat treatment process(GCHT) for a Mn-Si-Cr-B bainitic cast steel was developed, and microstructure and mechanical properties were examined by OM, SEM, EBSD and a uniaxia...In the present work, a unique gradient cooling heat treatment process(GCHT) for a Mn-Si-Cr-B bainitic cast steel was developed, and microstructure and mechanical properties were examined by OM, SEM, EBSD and a uniaxial tensile test. The results showed that the structural-gradient-material(SGM) with a gradient microstructure from granular bainite to martensite was successfully produced, and it exhibited a good ductility(~13.8%) at one end and an excellent ultimate strength(~1,720 MPa) at the other end. In between the bainite and martensite, a transition region with a superior combination of tensile strength and ductility(1,700 MPa and 11.1%) was obtained, which is different from the normal knowledge of a brittle transition region. Moreover, through changing the gradient of cooling rate, the optimized SGM with a new gradient microstructure from pearlite to martensite showed a more stable structural gradient and an improved ductility(22.8%) at one end. The microstructure variation in the sample was mainly related to the carbon diffusion rate during heat treatment, and the diffusion rate could be controlled by regulating the cooling velocity. Therefore, the SGMs with different gradient microstructures could be designed to meet the needs of different properties. As a result, this work provides a new approach for preparation of the gradient structured steel, which has potential for practical application for dual-property automobile parts.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National key research and development program(No.2017YFA0403700)the Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51701080)
文摘In the present work, a unique gradient cooling heat treatment process(GCHT) for a Mn-Si-Cr-B bainitic cast steel was developed, and microstructure and mechanical properties were examined by OM, SEM, EBSD and a uniaxial tensile test. The results showed that the structural-gradient-material(SGM) with a gradient microstructure from granular bainite to martensite was successfully produced, and it exhibited a good ductility(~13.8%) at one end and an excellent ultimate strength(~1,720 MPa) at the other end. In between the bainite and martensite, a transition region with a superior combination of tensile strength and ductility(1,700 MPa and 11.1%) was obtained, which is different from the normal knowledge of a brittle transition region. Moreover, through changing the gradient of cooling rate, the optimized SGM with a new gradient microstructure from pearlite to martensite showed a more stable structural gradient and an improved ductility(22.8%) at one end. The microstructure variation in the sample was mainly related to the carbon diffusion rate during heat treatment, and the diffusion rate could be controlled by regulating the cooling velocity. Therefore, the SGMs with different gradient microstructures could be designed to meet the needs of different properties. As a result, this work provides a new approach for preparation of the gradient structured steel, which has potential for practical application for dual-property automobile parts.
