Improving mechanical properties and high-temperature oxidation of press hardened steel by adding Cr and Si

This work investigated the effect of Cr and Si on the mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of press hardened steel.Results indicated that the microstructure of the Cr-Si micro-alloyed press hardened steel consisted of lath martensite,M_(23)C_(6)carbides,and retained austenite.The retained austenite and carbides are responsible for the increase in elongation of the micro-alloyed steel.In addition,after oxidation at 930℃for 5 min,the thickness of the oxide scales on the Cr-Si micro-alloyed press hardened steel is less than 5μm,much thinner than 45.50μm-thick oxide scales on 22MnB5.The oxide scales of the Cr-Si micro-alloyed steel are composed of Fe_(2)O_(3),Fe_(3)O_(4),mixed spinel oxide(FeCr_(2)O_(4)and Fe_(2)SiO_(4)),and amorphous SiO_(2).Adding Cr and Si significantly reduces the thickness of the oxide scales and prevents the generation of the FeO phase.Due to the increase of spinel FeCr_(2)O_(4)and Fe_(2)SiO_(4)phase in the inner oxide scale and the amorphous SiO_(2)close to the substrate,the oxidation resistance of the Cr-Si micro-alloyed press hardened steel is improved.

Static Recrystallization Behavior of Hot Deformed Austenite for Micro-Alloyed Steel

Static recrystallization behavior of austenite for micro-alloyed steel during hot rolling was studied and the influence (τ-ε diagram) of holding time and deformation at different deformations and isothermal temperatures on microstructuralstate of austenite were discussed. Corresponding to parameter Z in the dynamic recrystallization diagram, parameterY was then introduced to simplify static recrystallization diagrams.

Effect of Mo on the continuous cooling transformation behavior of Nb-Ti micro-alloyed low carbon steel

The effect of molybdenum on the continuous cooling transformation behavior of the micro-alloyed low carbon steel containing niobium and titanium was investigated by a Gleeble 3800 thermo-mechanical simulator. The phase transformation temperature of the steel at various cooling rates was detected. The microstmcture was observed by optical microscope （OM） and scanning electronic microscope （ SEM）, and its Vickers hardness was tested. Based on these, its dynamic continuous cooling transformation （CCT） diagrams were determined. The results show that the transformation temperature from deformed austenite to acicular ferrite （AF） is decreased when Mo is added, and the formation of pro- eutectoid ferrite （F） and pearlite （P） is either inhabited or postponed. Mo can also enlarge the range of the cooling rate in forming AF, and refine the microstructure effectively.

Effect of Nb content on strength of Nb micro-alloyed steels

Microstructures and properties of three Nb micro-alloyed steels were studied through hot rolling experiment. The result indicates that the ferrite grain size （dF ） decreases with increasing Nb content （Nb）, and the bainite fraction （fB） increases with increasing Nb content （Nb）. The effect of ferrite grain size （dF） on yield strength （δy） is related to Nb content （Nb）, and the effect of bainite fraction （fB） on yield strength （δy） is unrelated to Nb content （Nb）. Modelling of yield strength （δy） for Nb micro-alloyed steels with high accuracy has been built up with Nb content （Nb） and bainite fraction （fB） taken into account as new parameters, and formulas for ferrite grain size （dF ） and bainite fraction （fB） vs Nb content （Nb） have also been established under the experiment conditions. The research results could provide instructions for industrial productions.

Morphology and orientation relationship of VC precipitates in HSLA steel

The morphology and distribution of VC precipitates in HSLA steel as well as the orientation relationship between VC precipitate and α-Fe were studied by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The chemical composition of the VC precipitate was analyzed qualitatively by using analytical electron microscopy （AEM） equipped with an energy dispersive spectrum （EDS） system. The VC precipitate is needle-like in shape with a size of about 10 nm in length and is homogeneously dispersed in the α-Fe matrix. The smaller lattice misfit along the 〈100〉 lattice direction of α-Fe matrix leads to VC precipitate forming with its long axes nearly parallel to the 〈100〉 lattice direction of α-Fe matrix. It is confirmed that the orientation relationship between VC precipitate and α- Fe is the ＂N-W＂ orientation relation by selected area electron diffraction （SAED） patterns.

Development of Tailored Structure and Tensile Properties of Thermomechanical Treated Micro Alloyed Low Carbon Dual Phase Steel

Direct hot rolled dual phase steel production represents a challenging route, compared with cold rolled and intercritical annealing process, due to complex and sophisticated control of the hot strip mill processing parameters. Instead, high technology compact slab production plant offers economic advantages, adequate control and prompt use of the advanced thermomechanical controlled rolling. The current work aims to obtain different structures and tensile properties by physical simulation of direct hot rolled niobium micro alloyed dual phase low carbon steel by varying the metallurgical temperatures of hot strip mill plant. This starts with adaptation of the chemical analysis of a low carbon content to fall far from the undesired peritectic region to avoid slab cracking during casting. Thermodynamic and kinetics calculations by Thermo-Calc 2020 and JMat pro software are used to define the transformation’s temperatures Ae1 and Ae3 as well as processing temperatures;namely of reheating, finishing rolling, step cooling and coiling temperatures. The results show that the increase of finishing rolling temperature from 780°C to 840°C or decreasing either of step cooling duration at ferrite bay from 7 to 4 seconds, enhances yield and tensile strengths, all due to more martensite volume fraction formation. The yield and tensile strengths also increase with decreasing coiling temperature from 330°C to 180°C, which is explained due to the increase of dislocation densities resulted from the sudden shape change during martensite formation at the lower coiling temperature in additional to the self-tempering of martensite formed at higher coiling temperatures which soften the dual phase steel.

Hot Ductility of Vanadium Micro-alloying Steel Continuous Casting Slabs

The hot ductility of the V-containing micro-alloying steel CC (continuouscasting) slabs and precipitation of vanadium carbide in the tensile specimens were investigated. Theresults indicate that the precipitation ratio and precipitation rate of vanadium in the specimensreach maximum respectively at 900, -825 and 825 deg C. There is still l0 percent-l7 percent ofvanadium precipitated when the deformation temperature decreases to 800-700 deg C. Vanadium largelyaffects the ductility of the steel in the low ductility temperature Region III. Embrittlement ofsteel with higher V content is severer in the region and the embrittlement extends to lowertemperature.

Effects of Vanadium on Structure and Tensile Properties of Tempcore Steel Bars

Thermomechanical processing is a metallurgical operation to produce high-strength steel bars (rebars), through combining plastic deformation with thermal processes like heat treatment, water quenching, heating, and cooling at various rates into a single process. Ribbed reinforcing steel bars (rebars) are used for the reinforcement of concrete structures. Tempcore is a unique process to produce high-yield-strength rebars from mild steel without addition of a high weight percentage of costly alloying elements. The strength of rebar originates from the formation of a surface layer consisting of quenched and tempered martensite that surrounds a core composed of ferrite and pearlite. The economic advantages of this process are significant in comparison to those processes requiring alloying elements or further metal working to improve the mechanical properties. However, when there is a limitation in the water-cooling capacity, the required volume fraction of the martensite layer can’t be accomplished particularly when rolling bigger diameters of 32 mm - 40 mm at a higher rolling speed to maintain high productivity. Accordingly, a small addition of microalloying elements vanadium or niobium could be used in combination with Tempcore process to obtain high-strength steel rebars. In this contribution, 0.06 weight percentage of vanadium is added to the Tempcore treated rebars to satisfy ASTM A 706 Standard of Rebar Grade 80 PSI [550 MPa]. In order to decrease the trials in the steel plant floor, thermodynamics equilibrium calculations are predicted by Thermo-Calc, CCT, TTT diagrams are calculated by JMat Pro and the kinetics evolution of the vanadium carbonitrides precipitates are predicted by the computational database Mat Calc. High yield strength and tensile strength are obtained due to the effect of fine dispersions of nanometer-scale vanadium carbonitrides precipitates inspected by transmission electron microscope.

Effect of Annealing Time on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cold-Rolled Niobium and Titanium Bearing Micro-alloyed Steel Strips

Effects of annealing time on microstructure of cold-roiled niobium-titanium bearing micro-alloyed steel strips were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron back-scatter diffraction （EBSD） and transmission electron microscopy. The complete recrystallization annealing temperature of 670 ℃ and complete annealing time of 9 min were determined using Vickers-hardness testing and EBSD analysis. The ferrite mi-crostructure with spheric cementite particles and nano-scale precipitates of Nb（C,N） in matrix was obtained. The ki-netics of the ferrite grain growth is lowered due to ferrite grain boundaries pinned by the cementite particles, so the ferrite grain size of 5.5 μm remains unchanged among the annealing time ranging from 9 to 30 min. In addition, the strength of tested steel also keeps unchanged with the increase of annealing time. The higher yield strength of ap-proximately 420 MPa can be obtained by grain refinement and precipitation hardening and the higher elongation of approximately 40% and work-hardening exponent of approximately 0.2 can be gained due to grain refinement and presence of cementite particles, indicating that the balance of strength, ductility and forming property is realized.

Effect of coarse TiN inclusions and microstructure on impact toughness fluctuation in Ti micro-alloyed steel

Toughness is an important property for steels used in engineering applications. However, recent toughness testing has shown the existence of a significant fluctuation in toughness in a single rolled plate of titanium micro-alloyed steel. The underlying causes of this fluctuation were investigated by fractography, analysis of microstructure and measurement of inclusions. Coarse and distributed TiN inclusions were responsible for the toughness variation, as they tended to act as the potential cleavage initiators to form micro-cracks. From a calculation of the local fracture stress, the critical size of coarse TiN inclusions for dominating micro-crack propagation was 4.93 μm, and similarly that of ferrite grains was 36.6μm. Under current casting and thermo-mechanically controlled processing schedules, the toughness fluctuation of rolled steel plates can be primarily attributed to the fraction of coarse TiN inclusions larger than 5μm. A corresponding relationship between impact energy and the proportion of coarse TiN inclusions was established. Finally, a normalizing treatment was applied to refine the ferrite grains of rolled steel plates. Despite the presence of coarse TiN inclusions, this refinement in ferrite grains minimized the toughness fluctuation and improved the uniformity of the impact properties of the steel plates.

Strain-induced Precipitation in Ti Micro-alloyed Interstitial-free Steel

Stress relaxation method was carried out on a Ti micro-alloyed interstitial-free （IF） steel at the temperature ranging from 800 to 1000℃. The results show that the softening kinetics curves of deformed austenite can be divided into three stages. At the first stage, the stress has a sharp drop due to the onset of recrystallization. At the second stage, a plateau appears on the relaxation curves indicating the start and finish of strain-induced precipitation. At the third stage, the stress curves begin to descend again because of coarsening of precipitates. Precipitation-time temperature （PTT） diagram exhibited a ＂C＂ shape, and the nose point of the PTT diagram is located at 900 ℃ and the start precipitation time of 10 s. The theoretical calculation shows that the strain-induced precipitates were confirmed as almost pure TiC particles. The TiC precipitates were heterogeneously distributed in either a chain-like or cell-like manner observed by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, which indicates the precipitates nucleated on dislocations or dislocation substructures. In addition, a thermodynamic analytical model was presented to describe the precipitation in Ti micro-alloyed IF steel, which shows a good agreement between the experimental observation and the predictions of the model.

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.

In-situ analysis of retained austenite transformation in high-performance micro-alloyed TRIP steel

Microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti-V micro-alloyed TRIP（ transformation-induced plasticity） steel with different compositions were investigated by tensile test,scanning electron microscopy（ SEM）,transmission electron microscopy（ TEM）,X-ray diffraction（ XRD） and thermodynamic calculation（ TC）. The results indicated that the steel exhibited high ultimate tensile strength（ 1 079MPa）,sufficient ductility（ 28%） and the highest product of strength and ductility（ 30 212 MPa·%） heat treated after intercritical annealing at 800℃ for 3 min and bainitic annealing at 430 ℃ for 5 min. In addition,the change of volume fraction of retained austenite（ VF-RA） versus tensile strain was measured using in-situ analysis by X-ray stress apparatus and micro-electronic universal testing machine. It was concluded that a-value could be used to evaluate the stability of retained austenite（ S-RA） in the investigated Ti-V micro-alloyed TRIP steel. The smaller a-value indicated the higher stability of retained austenite（ S-RA） and the higher mechanical properties of Ti-V micro-alloyed TRIP steel.

Application of Rare Earths in Oil Country Tubular Goods

The effect of rare earths(RE) on purifying molten steels, modifying inclusion and micro-alloying are studied in J55 steel. The results show that RE improves the transverse impact energy and increases the resistance of perforation cracking. The extent on modifying MnS and Al2O3 inclusions is dependent on the activity ratios of RE to Mn and RE to Al. The(a(RE). a(s))/(a(o) . a(Al)) value determines the relative amount of REAlO(3) and RE(2)O(2)S and the properties of steel. RE segregation on grain boundary reduces the segregation of phosphorus and sulfur there.

Effect of strain-induced precipitation on microstructure and properties of titanium micro-alloyed steels

The strain-induced precipitation behavior of titanium micro-alloyed steel was examined through the stress relaxation method.In addition,the relationship between strain-induced precipitation and isothermal precipitation was explored.The findings revealed that the strain-induced precipitation and recrystallization processes of titanium micro-alloyed steel coexist and compete at the same time.The results also showed that the recrystallization process was inhibited with straininduced precipitation.Moreover,a large amount of nano-sized TiC particles precipitated in Ti micro-alloyed steel.Notably,the strain-induced precipitated TiC had a size of 10 nm and isothermally precipitated TiC had a size of 3–6 nm.Additionally,there was a clear competitive relationship between strain-induced precipitation and isothermal precipitation.The findings also showed that strain-induced precipitation had an obvious effect on the refinement of austenite although the effect was not obvious on the increase in the yield strength.Furthermore,isothermal treatment was shown to be more advantageous than strain-induced precipitation.Finally,the major increase in the yield strength was mainly attributed to the precipitation strengthening of nano-sized TiC during isothermal precipitation.

Technology Development for Controlling Slab Transverse Corner Crack of Typical Micro-alloyed Steels

A mathematical model for simulating the fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification in the conventional mold and the chamfer mold, together with a finite element stress-strain model in the straightening process of both molds, were established for the typical niobium, vanadium, and titanium micro-alloyed steels. On the basis of both numerical analysis, the mold copper plate with an optimum chamfered shape was designed and applied in industrial tests. The predicted results from numerical simulation of fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification in the conven tional mold and the chamfer mold show that the increased chamfered angle leads to an approximately linear increase o[ the slab surface temperature, but it also causes strong flow near the slab corner. Very small chamfered length can lead to a significant increase of the temperature near the slab corner. However, with further increasing the chamfered length, the temperature of the slab corner increased slightly. The calculated results from the finite element analysis of stress-strain during the straightening process show that at the same slope width, the tangential strain on the slat） edges and corners is minimum when the chamfered angle is 30° and 45°, which is only 40° to 46° of rectangular slabs with the same cross-section area. At the same chamfered angle of 30°, when the chamfered length is controlled between 65-85 mm, the tangential strain on the part of the slab edges and corners is relatively smaller. Industrial test results show that the slab corner temperature at straightening segment increases about 100 ℃ by using chamfer mold compared to the conventional molds. The slab transverse corner cracks have been reduced more than 95° in comparison with those in the conventional mold.

Effect of Nb-V Microalloying on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Medium Carbon Non-Quenched and Tempered Steel

Based on optical microscope(OM),transmission electron microscope(TEM) and mechanical performance measurement,the microstructures and mechanical properties of Nb-V micro-alloying non-quenched and tempered steels have been studied.The results showed that the microstructure consists of ferrite and pearlite,in which there exists a lot of intragranular ferrite.Niobium carbide is the main form of carbonitrides,Nb-enriched carbonitrides refine grains,V-enriched carbonitrides have precipitation strengthening effect,which promotes the toughness of the studied steel.The mechanical properties for steels 1,2 and 3 have met the standards required by high load automobile crankshaft,in which the comprehensive property for No.2 is the best.

Influence of Microstructures on Polarization Resistance and Hydrogen-Induced Cracking of a Micro-Alloyed Steel Submitted to Different Cooling Rates

The effect of different microstructures on the polarization resistance (Rp) and the hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) of a micro-alloyed steel austenitized and submitted to different cooling rates was studied.Samples 19.1 x 6 x 2 mm,containing the whole thickness of the plate were extracted from a 20 mm plate and heat treated on a quenching dilatometer,were submitted to Rp and HIC corrosion tests.Both Rp and HIC tests followed as close as possible ASTM G59 and NACE standard TM0284-2003,in this case,modified only with regard to the size of the samples.Steel samples transformed from austenite by a slow cooling (cooling rate of 0.5℃.s-1) showed higher susceptibility to hydrogen-induced cracking,with large cracks in the middle of the sample propagating along segregation bands,corresponding to the centerline of the plate thickness.For cooling rates of 10℃.s-1,only small cracks were found in the matrix and micro cracks nucleated at non-metallic inclusions.For higher cooling rates (40℃.s-1) very few small cracks were detected,linked to non-metallic inclusions.This result suggests that structures formed by polygonal structures and segregation bands (were eutectoid microconstituents predominate) have higher susceptibility to HIC.Structures predominantly formed by acicular ferrite make it difficult to propagate the cracks among non-oriented and interlaced acicular ferrite crystals.Smaller segregation bands containing eutectoid products also help inhibit cracking and crack propagation;segregation bands can function as pipelines for hydrogen diffusion and offer a path of stress concentration for the propagation of cracks,frequently associated to non-metallic inclusions.Polarization resistance essays performed on the steel in theas received condition,prior to any heat treatment,showed larger differences between the regions of the plate,with a considerably lower Rp in the centerline.The austenitization heat treatments followed by cooling rates of 0.5 e 10℃.s-1 made more uniform the corrosion resistance along the thickness of the plate.The effects of heat treatments on the corrosion resistance are probably related to the microconstituent formed,allied to the chemical homogenization of the impurities concentrated on the centerline of the plate.

Mechanisms of Solidification Structure Improvement of Ultra Pure 17 wt% Cr Ferritic Stainless Steel by Ti,Nb Addition

The grain structures and the precipitates in the solidification microstructure of the ultra pure 17 wt% Cr ferritic stainless steels with different Ti and/or Nb micro-alloying were investigated both experimentally and theoretically. It was found by the grain structure observation that the addition of Ti or Nb to the steel reduced the grain size （D） and elongation factor （E）, and improved the equiaxed grain proportion （P） and globularity factor （￡）. Among the four steels studied, the minimum grain size and maximum equiaxed grain proportion were obtained by jointly adding both Ti and Nb to the steel. The SEM observation indicated that several kinds of precipitations, such as TiN, MC （rich in Nb）, Laves phase （Fe2Nb） and so on, formed in the corresponding steels. In addition, the results calculated using the Thermo-Calc software illustrated that TiN precipitates in the liquid at proper Ti and N contents. Meanwhile, the solidification interval （△T） was enlarged by the addition of Ti or Nb, and the effectiveness of Nb was stronger than Ti. Based on the experimental and calculation results, the mechanisms of grain refinement and increment in equiaxed grain proportion were discussed.

Influences of Alloying Elements on Oxidation Behavior of Steels and Microstructure of Oxide Scales

In order to figure out the oxidation behavior of steels during heating,five micro-alloyed steels were subjected to continuous and isothermal oxidation using the thermo gravimetric analyzer and the Gleeble-3500thermo-mechanical simulator.The microstructure of oxide scales,especially the thickness fractions of Fe2O3,Fe3O4 and FeO layers,was analyzed using the scanning electron microscope（SEM）,electron probe microanalyzer（EPMA）and electron backscattered diffraction（EBSD）techniques.The micro-alloyed steels containing alloying elements（Si,Cr,Ni and Cu）show a higher oxidation resistance compared with the low carbon steel.It is found that alloying elements accumulated at scale/substrate interface during high temperature oxidation.Alloying elements function in two ways in the oxidation of steels：one is enhancing the scale/substrate interface and consequently suppressing the blister of scales;and the other is impeding the outward diffusion of iron cations from substrate to scales,resulting in the decrease of oxidation rate.As the diffusion of iron cations is impeded,the thickness fractions of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4of micro-alloyed steels are more than those of low carbon steels.