Influence of Rare Earth Elements on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast High-Speed Steel Rolls

The influence of rare earth （RE） elements on the solidification process and eutectic transformation and mechanical properties of the high-V type cast, high-speed steel roll was studied. Test materials with different RE additions were prepared on a horizontal centrifugal casting machine. The solidification process, eutectic structure transformation, carbide morphology, and the elements present, were all investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） and scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectrometry （SEM-EDS）. The energy produced by crack initiation and crack extension was analyzed using a digital impact test machine. It was found that rare earth elements increased the tensile strength of the steel by inducing crystallization of earlier eutectic γ-Fe during the solidification process, which in turn increased the solidification temperature and thinned the dendritic grains. Rare earth elements with large atomic radius changed the lattice parameters of the MC carbide by forming rare earth carbides. This had the effect of dispersing longpole M C carbides to provide carbide grains, thereby, reducing the formation of the gross carbide and making more V available, to increase the secondary hardening process and improve the hardness level. The presence of rare earth elements in the steel raised the impact toughness by changing the mechanism of MC carbide formation, thereby increasing the crack initiation energy.

Precipitation and decomposition behaviors of carbides in AISI M2 high-speed steel with nitrogen and mischmetal

The behaviors of the precipitation and decomposition of carbides in AISI M2 high-speed steel modified by nitrogen and mischmetal were investigated using DSC, XRD, SEM and TEM. The as-cast microstructure of the experimental steel consists of dendrites of iron matrix, networks of eutectic carbides and secondary carbides. The average distance between networks is about 34 μm. The carbides mainly include M_2C, M(C,N) and M_6C, and their relative contents are 58.5%, 30.3% and 11.2%, respectively. The average spacing between the M_2C fibers is 1.5 μm. The decomposition of M_2C occurs from 897.2 to 1221.5 ℃(heating rate of 200 ℃/h). Some precipitated carbide particles occur in the M_2C matrix after holding for 15 min at 1100 ℃. With increasing holding time, the carbide fibers neck down more and more obviously until they are broken down. The spectral peaks of M_2C almost disappear after holding for 60 min. The spectral peaks of M_6C gradually strengthen with the holding time, and the relative content of M_6C increases to 79.8% after holding for 60 min. After holding for 180 min, the carbide fibers disappear, and the decomposition products consist of fine carbide particles(about 300 nm) and short rod-like carbides(about 3.5 μm).

Effect of melting rate on microsegregation and primary MC carbides in M2 high-speed steel during electroslag remelting

Large-size primary MC carbides can significantly reduce the performance of M2 high-speed steel.To better control the morphology and size of primary MC carbides,the effect of melting rate on microsegregation and primary MC carbides of M2 steel during electroslag remelting was investigated.When the melting rate is decreased from 2 kg·min^(-1) to 0.8 kg·min^(-1),the columnar dendrites are gradually coarsened,and the extent of segregation of Mo and V is alleviated,while the segregation of Cr becomes severe.At 2 kg·min^(-1),the number of primary MC carbides per unit area with the sizes in the range of 2 μm to 6 μm accounts for about 75% of all MC carbides,while the carbides are mainly concentrated on the size larger than 8 μm at 0.8 kg·min^(-1).Thermodynamic calculations based on the Clyne-Kurz (simplified to C-K) model shows that MC carbide can be precipitated in the final solidification stage and a smaller secondary dendrite arm spacing caused by higher melting rate (2 kg·min^(-1) in this experiment) facilitates the refinement of primary MC carbides.

PREDICTION OF FLOW STRESS OF HIGH-SPEED STEEL DURING HOT DEFORMATION BY USING BP ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK

The hot deformation behavior of TI (18W-4Cr-1V) high-speed steel was investigated by means of continuous compression tests performed on Gleeble 1500 thermomechan- ical simulator in a wide range of tempemtures (950℃-1150℃) with strain rotes of 0.001s-1-10s-1 and true strains of 0-0. 7. The flow stress at the above hot defor- mation conditions is predicted by using BP artificial neural network. The architecture of network includes there are three input parameters:strain rate,temperature T and true strain , and just one output parameter, the flow stress ,2 hidden layers are adopted, the first hidden layer includes 9 neurons and second 10 negroes. It has been verified that BP artificial neural network with 3-9-10-1 architecture can predict flow stress of high-speed steel during hot deformation very well. Compared with the prediction method of flow stress by using Zaped-Holloman parumeter and hyperbolic sine stress function, the prediction method by using BP artificial neurul network has higher efficiency and accuracy.

Microstructure,Properties and Crack Suppression Mechanism of High-speed Steel Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting at Different Process Parameters

To enrich material types applied to additive manufacturing and enlarge application scope of additive manufacturing in conformal cooling tools,M2 high-speed steel specimens were fabricated by selective laser melting(SLM).Effects of SLM parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of M2 high-speed steel were investigated.The results showed that substrate temperature and energy density had significant influence on the densification process of materials and defects control.Models to evaluate the effect of substrate temperature and energy density on hardness were studied.The optimized process parameters,laser power,scan speed,scan distance,and substrate temperature,for fabricated M2 are 220 W,960 mm/s,0.06 mm,and 200℃,respectively.Based on this,the hardness and tensile strength reached 60 HRC and 1000 MPa,respectively.Interlaminar crack formation and suppression mechanism and the relationship between temperature gradient and thermal stress were illustrated.The inhibition effect of substrate temperature on the cracks generated by residual stresses was also explained.AM showed great application potential in the field of special conformal cooling cutting tool preparation.

Microstructure simulation of rapidly solidified ASP30 high-speed steel particles by gas atomization

In this study, the microstructure evolution of rapidly solidified ASP30 high-speed steel particles was predicted using a simulation method based on the cellular automaton-finite element （CAFE） model. The dendritic growth kinetics, in view of the characteristics of ASP30 steel, were calculated and combined with macro heat transfer calculations by user-defined functions （UDFs） to simulate the microstructure of gas-atomized particles. The relationship among particle diameter, undercooling, and the convection heat transfer coefficient was also inves- tigated to provide cooling conditions for simulations. The simulated results indicated that a columnar grain microstructure was observed in small particles, whereas an equiaxed microstructure was observed in large particles. In addition, the morphologies and microstructures of gas-atomized ASP30 steel particles were also investigated experimentally using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The experimental re- suits showed that four major types ofmicrostructures were formed： dendritic, equiaxed, mixed, and multi-droplet microstructures. The simu- lated results and the available experimental data are in good agreement.

Installation position determination of wind speed sensors on steel pole along a high-speed railway

In order to consider the influence of steel pole on the measurement of wind speed sensors and determinate the installation position of wind speed sensors, the flow field around wind speed sensors was investigated. Based on the three-dimensional steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and k-ε double equations turbulent model, the field flow around the wind speed sensor and the steel pole along a high-speed railway was simulated on an unstructured grid. The grid-independent validation was conducted and the accuracy of the present numerical simulation method was validated by experiments and simulations carried out by previous researchers. Results show that the steel pole has a significant influence on the measurement results of wind speed sensors. As the distance between two wind speed sensors is varied from 0.3 to 1.0 m, the impact angles are less than ±20°, it is proposed that the distance between two wind speed sensors is 0.8 m at least, and the interval between wind speed sensors and the steel pole is more than 1.0 m with the sensors located on the upstream side.

Microstructure and cutting performance of CrTiAlN coating for high-speed dry milling

Using a closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system,the cemented carbide end mills were coated with a CrTiAlN hard coating,which consisted of a Cr adhesive layer,a CrN interlayer and a CrTiAlN top layer.The microstructure and mechanical properties of the coating were investigated by X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,transmission electron microscopy（TEM）,micro indentation and scratch test.The cutting performance of the coated end mills were conducted by high-speed dry milling hardened steel（P20,HRC 45）.The results indicates that the coating is composed of（Cr,Ti,Al）N columnar grains with nanolayers.The coating exhibits good adhesion to cemented carbide substrate and high microhardness of around 30 GPa.The coated end mills show significant improvement on tool life and much lower cutting force as compared to the uncoated ones.And the related mechanisms were discussed.

Spheroidization process in large-deformed high-carbon steel

In this study,the spheroidization process of large-deformed steel under various conditions was researched.Steel with a high carbon content （1.0％ C） was first treated thermomechanically using multipass rolling.Then it underwent spheroidization treatments at different heating temperatures,using various heating times and cooling rates.Spheroidization processes with a lower heating temperature,shorter heating time,or faster cooling rate than those of the traditional process all showed good results,indicating that the spheroidization process was promoted significantly by the large deformation process.Grain refinement and fragmentation of cementite,along with the large deformation process,promoted this spheroidization process.

Effect of RE-Modifier on Microstructure and Mechanical Property of High-Carbon Medium-Manganese Steel

The effect of RE-modifier on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high carbon-medium manganese steel has been investigated in present work.The results showed that the RE-modifier can refine the crystalline grain of high-carbon medium-manganese steel.The shape and distribution of carbides are improved and the columnar grains and phosphide in grain boundary are eliminated.Consequently,the impact toughness of the steel is increased by more than one time,compared with no addition of RE-modifier.

Computer simulation on the controlled cooling of 82B high-speed rod

A modified temperature-phase transformation field coupled nonlinear mathematical model was made and used in computer simulation on the controlled cooling of 82B high-speed rods. The surface temperature history and volume fraction of pearlite as well as the phase transformation history were simulated by using the finite element software Marc/Mentat. The simulated results were compared with the actual measurement and the agreement is good which can validate the presented computational models.

Structures and Properties of High-Carbon High Speed Steel by RE-Mg-Ti Compound Modification

The effects of rare earths(RE)-Mg-Ti compound modification on the structures and properties of high-carbon high speed steel(HSS) were researched.The impact toughness(α_k),the fracture toughness(K_(1c))and threshold of fatigue crack growth(ΔK_(th))are tested.The thermal fatigue test is done on a self-straining thermal fatigue tester,the wear test is done on a high temperature wear test machine.The results show that the matrix can be refined by the RE-Mg-Ti compound modification,the eutectic carbides are inclined to spheroidicize and are distributed evenly,the morphology and distribution of eutectic carbides are improved by appropriate RE-Mg-Ti complex modification.After RE-Mg-Ti compound modification,a little effects can be found on the strength,hardness and red hardness,but the fracture toughness(K_(1c)) and threshold of fatigue crack growth(△K_(th)) are improved in the meantime,the impact toughness (α_k) is increased by over one time,and the resistance to thermal fatigue and wear resistance at an elevated temperature are remarkably improved.

Patenting of hot-rolled high-carbon steel and its applications

The patenting process of three hot-rolled steels with carbon mass contents of 0.70%-0. 90% was studied. The effect of the quenching temperature on the cementite lamellar distance in the steel was evaluated on the basis of microstructural characterization and mechanical property tests. The patenting treatment of high-carbon hot- rolled strip and its application in springs were discussed.

Investigation of longitudinal surface cracks in a continuous casting slab of high-carbon steel

Based on a series of related investigations, a mechanism for the formation of longitudinal surface cracks on a continuous casting slab of high-carbon steel was investigated. High-temperature tensile tests performed on slab samples,metallographic and scanning electron microscopy studies, as well as heat flux and shell thickness in continuous casting predicted on the basis of a mathematical model were conducted. The results showed that high- carbon steel exhibited a much lower liquidus temperature and a wider brittle temperature range immediately after solidification compared with those of low-carbon steel. Concentrations of elements K and Na, which are contained in the mold fluxes, were not observed in the cracks during this study. The calculated results showed that the heat flux and the shell thickness were uneven along the mold width and that the shell was thinner and close to the center line of the slab surface. The longitudinal cracks were observed in situ using confocal laser scanning microscopy, to first occur close to the solidification front,where the ductility was extremely low;in addition ,the shell growth was slower than in other regions, which led to a thinner shell and depressed shrinkage owing to a lack of lubrication by the mold fluxes below the meniscus. Furthermore, the pouring temperature of high-carbon steel is - 100 ~C lower than that of low-carbon steel,so the formation of a stable liquid flux near the meniscus within a short time at the beginning of casting is difficult. The amounts of liquid slag film and crystalline slag film were insufficient to provide adequate lubrication between the shell and the mold, which resulted in greater friction force that induced or aggravated cracks. Therefore, the homogeneity of mold fluxes and initial solidification in the mold should be improved to reduce the concentration of slab surface defects.

Spheroidization and Ostwald Growth of Carbide in Isothermal Process of Hot-Deformed High Carbon Chromium Cast Steel

In isothermal spheroidizing process,the spheroidization and growth of the carbide formed in hot-deformed high-carbon chromium cast steel at high temperature were investigated.The results showed that the spheroidizing growth of carbide proceeds in such a way that the bigger carbide particles swallow the smaller ones,and the short rhabdoid carbides dissolve and are spheroidized by itself.When the samples were held at 720℃ for more than 3 h,the spheroidization is not obvious.The feature of the process is the size increment and the amount decrement of carbide particles.The empirical equation for growth rate of carbides was obtained.The volume fraction of carbides keeps constant.The growth process agrees well with Ostwald Ripening Law.

Centrifugal Casting of High Speed Steel/Nodular Cast Iron Compound Roll Collar

The centrifugal casting of compound HSS/nodular cast iron roll collar was studied,and the factors affecting transition zone quality were analyzed.The pouring temperature and interval in pouring are the main factors affecting transition zone quality.By controlling process parameter and flux adding during casting,high quality roll collar was obtained.The cause,why in the casting of HSS part,segregation appears easily,was analyzed and the countermeasure eliminating segregation was put forward,the measure eliminating heat treatment crackling was also put forward.

Study on rolling process optimization of high carbon steel wire

The existing problems in the manufacture of SWRH82B high carbon steel wire were discussed by sampling and testing the microstructure and properties of the steel from the workshop. To solve the problems, the experimental parameters for thermal simulation were optimized, and the thermal simulating experiments were carded out on a Gleeblel500 thermal simulator. The process parameters for the manufacture were optimized after analysis of the data, and the productive experiments were performed after the water box in front of the no-twist blocks was reconstructed, to control the temperature of the loop layer. The results from the productive experiments showed that the cooling rate of 10-15℃/s was reasonable before phase transformation, about 5℃/s during phase transformation, and 600-620℃ was the suitable starting temperature for phase transformation. The ultimate strength of the Ф11.0 mm wire was increased to 1150-1170 MPa with an increase of 20-30 MPa, the percentage reduction of section was to 34%-36% with an increase of 1%-3% by testing the finished products after reconstruction.

Effect of Cryogenic and QPQ Compound Treatment on the Microstructures and Performance of High Speed Steel

China’s High-speed steel cutting tools hold a considerable share in the global market. However, the overproduction of low-end HSS tools causes serious resource waste and low efficiency, which has become one of the major problems in the tool industry in China. So a new Surface Modification technology is developed, which can make the low-end HSS tools into the high-end ones. On the analysis of the mechanism of cryogenic and quenching-polish-quenching(QPQ), the cryogenic and QPQ compound treatment are studied by using ?8 HSS(M2) drills. The nitriding layer and the base of the drill bit are Studied and analyzed, and the mechanism of compound treatment is discussed by the technological parameters adjustment and the combination test of cryogenic, nitrogen, tempering procedures, and several analysis methods such as the optics metallographic microscope, the scanning electronic microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction and micro hardness. The cutting test is done on the drills by cryogenic treatment, QPQ treatment and cryogenic and QPQ compound treatment separately. The results indicates that the cutting life of HSS (M2) drill can be increased dramatically by cryogenic and QPQ compound treatment.

Effect of cerium on the cleanliness of spring steel used in fastener of high-speed railway

The effects of Ce addition on the quantity, size, distribution of inclusions and the content of oxygen, sulfur and other hazardous residual elements in spring steel used as fastener in high speed railway were investigated by metallographic examination, SEM-EDS and composition analysis. The results indicated that the contents of oxygen decreased with the addition of Ce （[Ce]〈0.1%） and the content of sulfur continually decreased with increasing content of Ce （[Ce]〈1.2%）. However, with the further increase of Ce element addition, the content of [O] and T[O] began to increase. The content of Ce corresponding to the lowest [O] and T[O] lied in the range of 0.10%-0.13%and 0.045%-0.065%, respectively. The addition of Ce in spring steel resulted in the formation of rare earth oxides/oxysulfides and decreased the size of inclusions to less than 3μm in globular or spheroid shape. Moreover, the residual harmful elements （As, P, Pb and Sn） were found to exist in the Ce-containing inclusions, which had proved that the Ce addition could capture the residual elements and suppress their precipitation behaviors in the grain boundary.

Effects of mischmetal addition on phase transformation and as-cast microstructure characteristics of M2 high-speed steel

The influence of mischmetal （Ce-La） addition on phase transformation and as-cast microstructure characteristics of M2 high-speed steel （HSS） was investigated using Thermo-Calc software, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry. The results showed that the measured phase transition points of M2 HSS were broadly consistent with the theoretical results. After mischmetal addition, the liquidus peak temperature, the peak temperature of the eutectic precipitation of M6C and MC were all increased, especially for the M6C which was affected significantly and increased about 31 °C. The contents of Mo and V in the eutectic carbide decreased and that of Fe increased, while in the matrix, the Mo, V and Cr contents all increased slightly. Furthermore, the microstructure of as-cast dendrite and ledeburite were refined, the total eutectic carbide content decreased and distributed into a discontinuous network, the lamellar spacing of M2C was reduced and the lamellae became thinner.