Surface Ferrite Grain Refinement and Mechanical Properties of Low Carbon Steel Plates

Considering the specialities of the steel plate production, the TMCP study has been carried out with Gleeble 2000 tester to explore the possibility of fine grained ferrite in the low carbon steel plates with the chemical composition of C 0.13--0.18, Si 0.12-0.18, Mn 0.50-0. 65, P 0. 010-0. 025, and S 0. 005-0. 028. The plates with thickness of 8. 7 mm in which the ferrite grain size is smaller than 8μm have been produced by special de- formation process in the laboratory. Furthermore, the trial production of special plain carbon steel plates of 16-25 mm in thickness and 2 000- 2 800 mm in width with fine grained ferrite has been successfully carried out in the Shougang Steel Plate Rolling Plant. The ferrite grain size is 5.5-7μm in the surface layers and 9.5-15μm in the central layer respectively. The yield strength is 320- 360 MPa, tensile strength is 440-520 MPa and the elongation is 25%- 34 %. It is very important for the rolling plants to improve the low carbon steel plates＇ mechanical properties. The results show that the ferrite grains in the surface layer can be refined effectively by the appropriate rolling process, and the strength can be also increased.

A method to study interface diffusion of arsenic into a Nb-Ti microalloyed low carbon steel

A novel diffusion couple method was used to investigate the interface diffusion of arsenic into a Nb-Ti microalloyed low carbon steel and its effects on phase transformation at the interface. It is discovered that the content of arsenic has great effect on grain growth and phase transformation at high temperature. When the arsenic content is no more than lwt%, there is no obvious grain growth and no obvious ferrite transitional region formed at the diffusion interface. However, when the arsenic content is no less than 5wt%, the grain grows very rapidly. In addition, the arsenic-enriched ferrite transitional layer forms at the diffusion interface in the hot-rolling process, which results from a slower diffusion rate of arsenic atoms than that of carbon in ferrite.

Abrasive Wear Characteristics of Carbon and Low Alloy Steels for Better Performance of Farm Implements

The low stress abrasion behaviours of heat treated mild, medium carbon and high C - low Cr steels, which are generally used in making farm implements, have been investigated. The simple heat treatment greatly improves the hardness, tensile strength and abrasion resistance of medium carbon and high C - low Cr steels. The results indicate that the material removal during abrasion is controlled by a number of factors, such as hardness, chemical composition, microstructure and heat treatment conditions. The conclusion is that the heat treated high C - low Cr steel and mild steel carburized by using coaltar pitch provide the best hardness and abrasion resistance and thus appear to be the most suitable materials for making agricultural tools.

Carbon Equivalent Fundamentals in Evaluating the Weldability of Microalloy and Low Alloy Steels

Understanding the weldability of steel in relation to the use of carbon equivalent is very necessary for the welding industry. The study was poised to unearth the fundamentals of carbon equivalent as applied in evaluating the weldability of steel. The study used a two-stage design approach to address the problem of carbon equivalence weldability of steel, thus, survey and experimental. Two different steels were tested to ascertain their chemical composition which could inform carbon equivalent calculation, and the results revealed microalloy and low alloy steels respectively. In subjecting the microalloy steel to carbon equivalent analyses of the AWS and IIW coefficients;revealed a value (CEV) = 0.11 each, suggesting that this microalloy steel has excellent weldability;no preheating is required. A successful welding operation on this steel does not depend on preheating. Also, the average results of the low alloy steel revealed a value (CEV) = 0.37 and 0.32 respectively, suggesting that this type of steel has very good weldability and may require to preheat. It is recommended that welders have a general idea about the weldability of steel with regard to carbon equivalent calculation. In addition, they should understand the chemical compositions of steels they are dealing with.

Influence of soaking time in deep cryogenic treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low-alloy medium-carbon HY-TUF steel

The influence of soaking time in deep cryogenic treatment on the tensile and impact properties of low-alloy medium-carbon HY-TUF steel was investigated in this study. Microstructural studies based on phase distribution mapping by electron backscatter diffraction show that the deep cryogenic process causes a decrease in the content of retained austenite and an increase in the volume fraction of η-carbide with increasing soaking time up to 48 h. The decrease in the content of retained austenite from ~1.23vol% to 0.48vol% suggests an isothermal martensitic transformation at 77 K. The η-type precipitates formed in deep cryogenic-treated martensite over 48 h have the Hirotsu and Nagakura orientation relation with the martensitic matrix. Furthermore, a high coherency between η-carbide and the martensitic matrix is observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The variations in macrohardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility with soaking time in the deep cryogenic process show a peak/plateau trend.

PHASE TRANSFORMATION UNIT OF BAINITIC FERRITE AND ITS SURFACE RELIEF IN LOW AND MEDIUM CARBON ALLOY STEELS

The lath-or plate-shaped bainitic ferrite of low and medium carbon alloy steels consists of packets of ferrite sublaths which are composed of many finer and regular ferrite blocks.They are uniform shear growth units of bainitic phase transformation.No carbide is precipitated from them.The bainitic O-carbides are precipitated from γ-α interface or carbon-rich austenite.The mode of arrangement of the units in ferrite sublath packet is in uni-or bi-di- rection.Single surface relief is produced by the accumulation of uniform shear strains with all the ferrite units arranged unidirectionally in a sublath packet,while tent-shaped surface relief is formed by the integration of the uniform shear strains of two groups with ferrite units piling up in two directions and growing face to face;whereas if they grow back to back,the integra- tion will be responsible for invert-tent-shaped surface relief.The interface trace between two groups of ferrite units in a sublath packet is shown as“midrib”.

The micro structure of high carbon low alloy steel for easy drawing

For better processing performance of high carbon low alloy steel wire rod,an investigation about the influence of cementite lamellar spacing on wire 'easy drawing' performance is completed.It is pointed out that too thin cementite lamellar spacing(<80 um) reduces the strain hardening level of wire drawing, and reduce the torsion performance of drawn wire at same time.For the wire or wire rod from industrial production,compared with the micro-structure with troostite,the micro-structure with sorbite or sorbite mixed with pearlite is more suitable to the drawing process with high reduction ratio.

Impact property analysis of weld metal and heat-affected zone for low-alloy carbon steel multi-pass welded joint

Welded joint impact performances of low-alloy carbon steel plates welded by full-automatic gas metal arc welding （GMAW） were evaluated. To clarity the effect of impact temperature on impact properties of weld metal （WM） and heat- affected zone （ HAZ）, Charpy V impact tests at different temperatures and fracture surface analysis were carried out. The Charpy V impact energy decreases with the decreasing test temperature both for the WM and HAZ, while the proportion of crystal zone on WM and HAZ impact fracture surface increases with the decreasing test temperature. Research results indicate that the welding defects （void and slag） make the impact energy of WM more scattered and lower than that of HAZ.

Influence of mill scale and rust layer on the corrosion resistance of low-alloy steel in simulated concrete pore solution

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements, and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to investigate the influence of mill scale and rust layer on the passivation capability and chloride-induced corrosion behaviors of conventional low-carbon（LC） steel and low-alloy（LA） steel in simulated concrete pore solution. The results show that mill scale exerts different influences on the corrosion resistance of both steels at various electrochemical stages. We propose that the high long-term corrosion resistance of LA steel is mainly achieved through the synergistic effect of a gradually formed compact, adherent and well-distributed Cr-enriched inner rust layer and the physical barrier protection effect of mill scale.

Development of Low and Middle Carbon Martensite Spring Steel with High Strength and Toughness for Automobile

The conventional middle and high carbon spring steels have some drawbacks in properties, production and application. In order to meet the demands of rapid development of automobile, a new low and middle carbon spring steel 35Si2CrMnVB, C0.34, Sil.66, MnO.80, CrO.67, V0.13, B0.001, P0.011, S0.014 wt.%, has been developed. Comparison between the new spring steel 35Si2CrMnVB and the conventional spring steel 60Si2MnA, C0.61, Si 1.75, MnO.76, P0.021, S0.018 wt.%, shows that the new spring steel has not only high strength, good ductility, good comprehensive mechanical properties, but also low decarbonization tendency, sufficient hardenability and high elastic sag resistance, etc.. The microstructure change in quenched steel caused by the decreasing of carbon contents is detected through metallographic observation, the new low and middle carbon spring steel 35Si2CrMnVB after quenching is composed of almost lath martensite with high dislocation density and only a little martensite with twin structure. It is testified that to develop low carbon spring steel with more excellent properties for automobile is feasible.

Friction plug−riveting spot welding of AA 7075-T6 aluminum alloy and low carbon steel using 1045 steel rivet

7075-T6 aluminum alloy/low carbon steel joint was carried out via a novel friction plug−riveting spot welding process.This process utilized uniquely designed steel rivets with a tip and groove shape.The macro-morphology formation,microstructure,microhardness and lap shear performance of joints were investigated.As the spindle down distance increased,the rivet tip was friction welded with the lower steel sheet,resulting in the formation of a solid phase welding zone exhibiting metallurgical bonding.Additionally,a hook was formed in the joint,providing the mechanical locking.The results showed that under optimal parameters of spindle down distance of 3.4 mm,rotation speed of 4000 r/min,and spindle down speed of 2.4 mm/s,the lap shear load of the joints reached a maximum of 14.36 kN.Failure occurred at the aluminum alloy base metal.

Effect of interface morphology on the mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates

Interface morphology has important influence on the bond quality of titanium clad steel plates. The mechanical properties of titanium clad steel plates with wavy and straight interfaces were investigated by tensile-shear tests and bending tests. The interface morphology of the plates was examined by optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The experimental results show that the shear strength of a wavy interface is higher than that of a straight interface. A wavy interface is the guarantee for obtaining high shear strength to provide a greater shear resistance. During the maerobending process, cracks appear in the swirl of the wave tip and ferrotitanium intermetallies. For in-situ observing the bending process by SEM, the wave tip of a wavy interface and the massive ferrotitartium intermetallies of a straight interface are places where cracks initiate and propagate. The results are the same as those observed in the macrobending process. Became of high hardness, the wave tip and the massive ferrotitanium intermetallies are hard in terms of compatible deformation.

Cathodic reaction mechanisms in CO2 corrosion of low-Cr steels

The cathodic reaction mechanisms in CO2 corrosion of low-Cr steels were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and galvanostatic measurements.Distinct but different dominant cathodic reactions were observed at different p H levels.At the higher p H level(p H>~5),H2 CO3 reduction was the dominant cathodic reaction.The reaction was under activation control.At the lower pH level(pH<~3.5),H+reduction became the dominant one and the reaction was under diffusion control.In the intermediate area,there was a transition region leading from one cathodic reaction to another.The measured electrochemical impedance spectrum corresponded to the proposed cathodic reaction mechanisms.

Effects of Cr, Ni and Cu on the Corrosion Behavior of Low Carbon Microalloying Steel in a Cl^- Containing Environment

The effects of Cr, Ni and Cu on the corrosion behavior of low carbon microalloying steel in a CI- containing environment were investigated. The results revealed that the corrosion process could be divided into the initial stage in which the corrosion rate increased with accumulation of corrosion products and the later stage in which homogeneous and compact inner rust layers started to protect steel substrate out of corrosion mediums. The results of X-ray diffraction （XRD） indicated that the rust layers of the three-group steels （Cr, Cr-Ni and Cr-Ni-Cu steels） were composed of α-FeOOH, β-FeOOH, γ-FeOOH, Fe3O4 and large amounts of amorphous compounds. The content of amorphous compounds of Cr-Ni-Cu steel was about 2%-3% more than that of Cr-Ni steel. The results of electron probe microanalysis （EPMA） showed that Cr concentrated mainly in the inner region of the rust of Cr-Ni-Cu steel, inner/outer interface especially, whereas Ni was uniformly distributed all over the rust and Cu was noticed rarely after 73 wet/dry cycles. The addition of Cr and Ni was beneficial to the formation of dense and compact inner rust layer, which was the most important reason for the improvement of corrosion resistance of experimental steel.

A Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of Plate Martensite Formation in High-carbon Low Alloy Steels

The martensitic microstructures in two high-carbon low alloy steels have been investigated by classical and automated crystallographic analysis under a transmission electron microscope. It is found that the martensitic substructure changes from consisting mostly of transformation twins for 1.20 mass% carbon （C） steel to both transformation twins and planar defects on {101}M for 1.67 mass% C steel. In the 1.67 mass% C steel it is further found that small martensite units have a rather homogeneous substructure, while large martensite units are more inhomogeneous. In addition, the martensite units in both steels are frequently found to be of zigzag patterns and have distinct crystallographic relationships with neighboring martensite units, e.g. kink or wedge couplings. Based on the present findings the development of martensite in high-carbon low alloy steels is discussed and a schematic of the martensite formation is presented. Moreover, whether the schematic view can be applied to plate martensite formation in general, is discussed.

Corrosion behavior of low-carbon Cr micro-alloyed steel for grounding grids in simulated acidic soil

To improve the corrosion resistance of steels for grounding grids, a low-carbon Cr micro-alloyed steel was developed （C 1 steel）, and corrosion behavior of Q235 steel and newly developed C1 steel in simulated acidic soil was investigated. The corrosion rate was evaluated with the mass loss measurements, while the corrosion morphology of surface and cross section of rust layer was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The corrosion products were analyzed by energy- dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the polarization curve was measured using potentiodynamic polarization method. Results indicated that C 1 steel displayed good corrosion resistance in the simulated acidic soil, of which the corrosion rate was only 30% of that of Q235 steel after corrosion for 360 h. The analysis of rust layer showed that lower carbon content in steel could reduce the tendency of micro cell corrosion and appropriate amount of chromium could improve the corrosion potential of metal matrix. Moreover, the analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the chromium enriched in inner rust layer of C1 steel existed mainly in the form of Fe2CrO4, which facilitated the formation of Cr-goethite and improved the protection of corrosion products.

Explore the Strengthening Mechanisms of the Ultra-Low Carbon and Low Alloy Steel

Room temperature tensile tests were carried on the hot-rolled state ultra-low carbon and low alloy cabainite and martensite steels which were get by different finishing temperatures and different cooling methods.We used the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM),Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) to identify the metallographic structure and analyse the precipitated phase.The inherent mechanism of high strength of ultra-low carbon and low alloy bainite and martensite steels was discussed,and the analysis indicated that the reinforcement of ultra-low carbon and low alloy bainite and martensite steels was mainly produced by the superposition of the dislocation strengthening,solution strengthening and grain refinement strengthening.

Study on the rolling process for thin HSLA heavy plates

Analyzed and studied the characters of high strength low alloy steel which contain Mo,Cr,Nb and Ni.etc.Following actual rolling,combining the feature of rolling mode,and exploiting the equipment advantage of 5 m Heavy Plate Mill,optimized the material design,heating temperature and rolling method, stabilized rolling process of thin alloyed steel,the quality index was advanced.