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.

INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR OBTAINING ULTRAFINE AUSTENITE GRAINS WITH INITIAL MICROSTRUCTURE OF WARM-ROLLED FERRITE/PEARLITE

Three warm-rolled ferrite/pearlite microstructures were prepared by rolling at 500℃, and the austenitizing characteristics were discussed in conjunction with deformation during the heating stage. The results indicated that the final austenite grain size was sensitive to the deformation direction of the initial warm-rolled microstructure. The transient microstructure at a given temperature was the most important influencing factor on the austenitizing characteristic combined with deformation. Moreover, the hot-rolled mierostructure also had to be prepared in an optimal state because of its direct effect on the warm-rolled microstructure.

The Influence of Abnormal Segregation Band on Mechanical Properties of Hot Rolled Ferrite/Pearlite Steel Plate

In order to further reveal the influence of abnormal segregation band on mechanical properties of hot rolled ferrite/pearlite steel plate, especially on laminated tensile fracture, the experimental method of delamination tension was adopted. In this paper, the thin tensile samples with 3 mm thickness from the surface, 1/4 positions and center along the thickness orientation of test plate were measured, also the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties was probed. The results show that the center region of hot rolled ferrite/pearlite steel plate exists granular bainite and ferrite mixed grains, which leads to lower plasticity and toughness of this region. During the tensile process, microcracks are generated and extended at the center of steel plate due to the inconsistency of deformation and fracture on the adjacent structures, finally leading to laminated fracture of steel plate.

Predication of Plastic Flow Characteristics in Ferrite/Pearlite Steel Using a Fern Unit Cell Method

The flow stress of ferrite/pearlite steel under uni-axial tension was simulated with finite element method (FEM) by applying commercial software MARC/MENTAT. Flow stress curves of ferrite/pearlite steels were calculated based on unit cell model. The effects of volume fraction, distribution and the aspect ratio of pearlite on tensile properties have been investigated.

Effect of Hot Deformation on Pearlite Transformation of 86CrMoV7 Steel

The continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams of 86CrMoV7 steel samples including hot deformed and not hot deformed were constructed by dilatometry, metallography and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that hot deformation accelerated pearlite transformation and fine pearlite microstructure. Moreover, the undissolved carbides became the nucleating sites of pearlite, accelerated pearlite formation and fine pearlite if the steel had been deformed at high temperature. In contrast, undissolved carbides did not make any influence on pearlite transformation if the steel had not been deformed at high temperature.

THERMODYNAMIC EXPLANATION OF LEADING PHASE IN PEARLITE TRANSFORMATION

In this paper a concept of 'leading probability' is presented. The difference in the leading probability between ferrite and cementite depends mainly upon the difference between their driving forces at the beginning of precipitation. The results of theromdynamic calculations showed that the leading probability of cementite increased with the increase of carbon concentration of austenite, and the decrease in transformation temperature was favourable to cementite's being the leading nucleus during pearlite transformation.

Effect of Metallic, Nonmetallic, Water Cooled and Cryogenic Chills on Pearlite Content (PC), Eutectic Cell Count (ECC) and Grain Size (GS) of Hypo Eutectic Nickel Alloyed Cast Iron

This paper presents the results obtained, deductions made from solidification behaviour and a series of micro structural studies such as pearlite content, eu-tectic cell count and grain size of hypoeutectic gray cast iron which was sand cast (CO2 moulding) using metallic, nonmetallic, water cooled and subzero (cryogenic) end chills. Hypo-eutectic cast irons containing C 3.42, Si 2.4 and Ni 1.5 with impurity contents (S, P, Mn etc.) were solidified unidirectionally in an American Foundrymen Society (AFS) standard mould, the end of which was provided with different end chills to study the effect of chilling during solidifi-cation. The melts were inoculated with 0.3% Fe-Si to promote graphitization. It was observed that the transition from one structure to another is more gradual than normally obtained in the structure of cast irons solidified mul-ti-directionally in a sand mould at room temperature. Austenite dendrite interactions were shown to be a major factor in determining the microstructure, in which the higher dendrite reaction leads to changes in DAS, ECC and GS. It is observed that, the number of eutectic cells is an index of graphite nucleation and the effect of these on structure, since the eutectic cells are developed on the graphite nuclei during solidification.

Microstructure Evolution and Its Effects on the Mechanical Behavior of Cold Drawn Pearlite Steel Wires for Bridge Cables

The microstructure evolution and its effects on the mechanical performance of 2000 MPa bridge cable steel wires were investigated by transmission electron microscope(TEM),electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD),X-ray diffractometer(XRD)and mechanical tests.Experimental results reveal that,with the increasing strain from 0 to 1.42,a fiber structure and a<110>fiber texture aligned with the wire axis are gradually developed accompanied by cementite decomposition and the formation of sub-grains;the tensile strength increases linearly from 1510 to 2025 MPa,and the reduction of the area is stable with a slight decline from 44%to 36%.After annealing at 450℃for different times,pronounced changes in the microstructure occur.Cementite lamella fragment into coarser globules corresponding to a remarkable spheroidization process,while ferrite domains recover and recrystallize,and this process is associated to modifications in the mechanical properties.Furthermore,based on the observations on dislocation lines crossing through cementite lamellae,a possible mechanism of cementite decomposition is discussed.

Microstructural Evolution of a Hypoeutectoid Pearlite Steel under Rolling-sliding Contact Loading

To study the microstructural evolution of pearlite steel subjected to pure rolling and rolling-sliding contact loading,a hypoeutectoid pearlite steel with composition and microstructure similar to BS11 was designed and twindisc tests of this pearlite steel were performed to simulate the wheel/rail system.After a series of twin-disc tests,optical microscope（OM）observation,scanning electron microscope（SEM）observation,X-ray diffraction（XRD）,and micro-hardness tests were conducted to characterize the microstructure.Under the pure rolling contact condition,a large amount of reticular cracks emerged within 60μm below the contact surface of the samples after 120 000 revolutions.The largest deformation was approximately 200μm below the contact surface.Under the rolling-sliding contact condition,the nodularization of pearlite within 100μm below the contact surface was obvious.The microstructure and stress-strain distribution of the area within 2mm below the contact surface were investigated.The distribution of micro-hardness under the contact surface varied with contact conditions.Finite element method（FEM）was used to simulate the stress-strain distribution.The results of SEM,FEM,and micro-hardness tests indicated that under the pure rolling contact condition,the maximum plastic strain was approximately 200-400μm below the contact surface.Conversely,under the rolling-sliding contact condition,the maximum plastic strain emerged on the contact surface.Under the pure rolling contact condition,the distribution of micro-hardness was almost identical to that of the equivalent plastic strain.Under the rolling-sliding contact condition,the distribution of micro-hardness was affected by the equivalent plastic strain and tangential stress.

Stages and Fracture Mechanisms of Lamellar Pearlite of 100-m-Long Differentially Hardened Rails Under Long-Term Operation Conditions

Using the methods of transmission electron microscopy, the carbide phase evolution in surface layers of the differentiallyquenched rails is studied after the passed tonnage of 691.8 million tons at the depth up to 10 mm along the central axis andfillet of rail head. The action of two mutual supplement mechanisms of steel carbide phase transformation in surface layersat rail operation is established： （1） cutting mechanism of cementite particles with the following departure in the volume offerrite grains or plates （in pearlite structure）; （2） cutting mechanism and following dissolution of cementite particles,transfer of carbon atoms on dislocations （in Cottrell atmospheres and dislocation cores）, transfer of carbon atoms bymoving dislocations into ferrite grains volume （or plates） with the following repeated formation of nanosized cementiteparticles. The first mechanism is accompanied by the change in linear sizes and morphology of carbide particles. Cementiteelement composition change is not essential. Carbide structure change can take place during the second mechanism.

Effect of Warm-Rolled Pearlite Microstructural Features on Austenitic Transformation

The austenite transformation characteristics for various warm-rolled pearlite during rapid heating were investigated. The results indicate that the start temperature （Ts） is sensitive to the microstructural feature of pearlite, whereas the dislocation plays an important role in the transformation rate; at the same time, the uniformity of austenite grains is more or less affected by the amount of spheroidized pearlite. A critical effect on the state of austenite grain is created through the influence of initial microstructures on the start temperature of transformation.

Effect of strong magnetic field on isothermal transformation of degenerate pearlite in an Fe-C-Mo alloy

The pearlite transformation in a Mo-containing iron alloy was investigated under 12 T magnetic field. The pearlite transformation was accelerated owing to the application of a strong magnetic field. Pearlite was of degenerated morphology without the presence of a strong magnetic field; but the degeneracy of pearlite is reduced when a strong magnetic field was applied, which may be attributed to the effect of strong magnetic field on faster carbon diffusion and less molybdenum segregation caused by a strong magnetic

Micro-scale Cellular Automaton Modeling of Interface Evolution During Reaustenitization from Pearlite Structure in Steels

A modified cellular automaton model is developed to depict the interface evolution inside the cementite plus ferrite lamellar microstructures during the reaustenitization of a pearlite steel. In this model, migrations of both the austenite- ferrite and austenite-cementite interfaces coupled with the carbon diffusion and redistribution are integrated. The capil- laxity effect derived from local interface curvatures is also carefully considered by involving the concentration given by the phase diagram modified by the Gibbs-Thomson effect. This allows the interface evolution from a transient state to a steady state under different annealing conditions and various interlamellar spacings to be simulated. The proposed cellular automaton approach could be readily used to describe the kinetics of austenite formation from the lamellar pearlites and virtually reveal the kinematics of the moving interfaces from the microstructural aspect.

THEORETICAL PREDICTION OF THE KINETICS CURVES OFPEARLITIC TRANSFORMATION IN HYPO-PROEUTECTOID STRUCTURAL STEELS

Supposing carbon contents of ferrite phases in pearlite precipitating from austenite in multicomponent steel at temperature T and in Fe-C ystem at T' are the same the pearlite formation temperature diference, can be calculated from the FeX phase diagrams and the equilibrium temperature Al. Using Tp and Fe-C binary thermodynamic model, the driving forces for phase transformation from austenite to pearlite in multicomponent steels have been successfully calculated. Through the combination of simplified Zener and Hillert's model for pearlite growth with Johnson-Mehl equation, using data from known TTT diagrams, the interfacial energy parameter and activation energy for pearlite formation can be determined and expressed as functions of chemical composition in steels by regression analysis. The calculated starting curves of pearlitic transformation in some commercial steels agree well with the experimental data.

THE MICROSTRUCTURAL BANDING IN THE CENTER OF HOT ROLLLNG STRIP

The microstructural banding in steels is often found in hot rolling strips, which plays a very important role in mechanical properties. Much work has been done to investigate how the microstructural banding is formed during hot rolling. In the present study, the microstructure of hot rolling strips was examined in term of optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electron probe microanalysis was also used to decide the distribution of microchemical bands, by this means, the phases in these strips were found to be ferrite and pearlite. The average distance between the carbon lamellas in pearlite is about 0.06-0.1μm. It is also shown that microstructural banding in hot rolled carbon steel was closely related to the segregation of manganese and silicon into those bands. Based on the transformation kinetic, the simulated results pointed out that the thermodynamic stability of austenite would increase with the increasing of Mn, which led to a decrease of ferrite growth rate. The effect of Mn on the decomposition of austenite is attributed to segregation of Mn atoms along the ferrite/austenite phase boundary which causes a strong solute drag effect. The addition of Mn to steel decreases the activity of austenite, thereby it is beneficial to the formation of non-equilibrium phase, such as degenerate pearlite. The formation of banded structure on the hot rolled process was discussed.

Influence of flux composition on microstructure and oxygen content of low carbon steel weldments in submerged arc welding

This study has been conducted to evaluate the influence of flux composition on the microstructure and oxygen content of the low carbon steel weldments using developed agglomerated fluxes.Ca_F2,FeMn and NiO were added to the CaO-SiO_2-Al_2O_3 base fluxes in the varying amount of 2%-8% to examine the various elements transferred to the weldments.The microstructure obtained was a mixture of pearlite and ferrite contents.This study reveals that CaF_2 and Fe Mn both are having significant effect on pearlite percentage while CaF_2 and NiO are significant for oxygen transfer in the welds.The interaction effects of CaF_2 and Fe Mn and CaF_2 and Ni O are also significant to the microstructure of the welds.The fluxes were designed using response surface methodology( RSM) and were developed by agglomeration technique.

Formation kinetics of austenite in pearlitic ductile iron

This work evaluated the isothermal transformation of austenite in unalloyed pearlitic ductile iron and drew the isothermal phase diagram of austenitization in the ductile iron, Austenite forms at grain boundaries and then grows up to graphite regions during austenitiza- tion. The formation kinetics of austenite complies with the Avrami equation, in which the parameter （n） ranges from 4.71 to 4.99. The start time and finish time of transformation can be calculated at each temperature using the Avrami equation.

Influence of boron on ferrite formation in copper-added spheroidal graphite cast iron

This paper reviews the original work of the authors published recently,describing the influence of B on the matrix of the Cuadded spheroidal graphite cast iron.The effect of Cu has been corrected as a ferrite formation promoter in the matrix of the grey cast iron by the usage of high-purity material.Also,this paper focuses on the ferrite formation and the observation of the Cu distribution in the B-added and B-free Cu-containing spheroidal graphite cast iron.The Cu film on the spheroidal graphite can be successfully observed in the B-free sample using a special etching method.However,in the B-added sample,no Cu film could be found,while the secondary graphite was formed on the surface of the spheroidal graphite.The interaction between B and Cu is stressed as a peculiar phenomenon by the employment of a contrast experiment of B and Mn.The heat treatment could make Cu precipitate more significantly in the eutectic cells and in the matrix in the form of large Cu particles because of the limited solubility of Cu.

Three-dimensional multi-phase-field simulation of eutectoid alloy based on OpenCL parallel

Seeking high-performance computing methods to solve the problem of a large amount of calculation,low calculation efficiency,and small simulation scale on the traditional single central processing unit (CPU) platform is of great value to the simulation study of micro-structure.In this study,based on the three-dimensional multi-phase-field model of KKSO coupling phase-field and solute field,the open computing language (OpenCL) + graphics processing unit (GPU) heterogeneous parallel computing technology is used to simulate the eutectoid growth of Fe-C alloy and the end growth process of pearlite under pure diffusion.The effects of initial supercooling and different diffusion coefficients on the growth morphology of lamellar pearlite were investigated.The results show that ferrite and cementite are perpendicular to the front of the solid-solid interface and are coupled and coordinated to grow,and there is no leading phase under the initial supercooling degree of 20 K.With the continuous increase of the initial supercooling degree (19 K-22 K),the morphology changes of the eutectoid layer are as follows:cementite stops growing → slice amplitude increases → regular symmetric growth → oblique growth → layer merge.With the increase of the diffusion coefficient from 3×10^(-13) m^(2)·s^(-1) to 15×10^(-13) m^(2)·s^(-1),the growth rate of the microstructure of the lamellar pearlite increases linearly,and there is no obvious change in the frontal appearance of the pearlite.