In situ observations of austenite grain growth in Fe-C-Mn-Si super bainitic steel

In situ observations of austenite grain growth in Fe-C-Mn-Si super bainitic steel were conducted on a high-temperature laser scanning confocal microscope during continuous heating and subsequent isothermal holding at 850, 1000, and 1100℃ for 30 min. A grain growth model was proposed based on experimental results. It is indicated that the austenite grain size increases with austenitizing temperature and holding time. When the austenitizing temperature is above 1100℃, the austenite grains grow rapidly, and abnormal austenite grains occur. In addition, the effect of heating rate on austenite grain growth was investigated, and the relation between austenite grains and bainite morphology after bainitic transformations was also discussed.

Refinement of packet size in low carbon bainitic steel by special thermo-mechanical control process

The packet size of bainitic steel can be refined by a specialrelaxation-precipitation-control phase transformation (RFC) technology. When processed by RPCprocess, the low carbon bainitic steel composes of two kinds of main intermediate transformationphases. One is ultra-fine lath-like bainitic ferrite and the lath is less than 1μm in width andabout 6 μm in length; the alignment of laths forms a refined packet, and the size of packets isabout 5-7 μm in length and about 3-4μm in width. The other is acicular structure. The morphologyand distribution of these acicular structures are influenced by relaxation process, the thin andshort acicular structures cut the prior austenite grain and refine the bainitic packet size. For theoptimum relaxation time, the packet size can be refined to the finest. The mechanical propertiesare influenced by relaxation time and the 800 MPa grade low carbon bainitic steel with excellenttoughness can be obtained by RPC process.

In situ measured growth rates of bainite plates in an Fe-C-Mn-Si superbainitic steel

The growth rates of bainite plates in an Fe-C-Mn-Si superbainitie steel were investigated by in situ observation. The lengthening rates of ferrite bainite during both cooling and isothermal holding processes were observed and the growth rates of bainite plates nucleating at grain boundaries, within grains and on preformed bainite were measured. It is indicated that the lengthening rates of bainite plates during the cooling and isothermal processes were different, and that the growth rates of bainite plates nucleating at different types of sites also demon- strated diversity. The bainite plates initiating at [vain boundaries during cooling grew the fastest, while the plates nucleating on preformed bainite did the slowest. However, the growth rate of the bainite plates nucleating at grain boundaries during isothermal transformation de- creased the most, whereas the bainite plates initiating within grains grew the fastest. In addition, the growth rate of ferrite bainite in the study supported the diffusion transformation mechanism of bainite from the viewooint of ~rowth rate.

Recent Development of Air-Cooled Bainitic Steels Containing Manganese

The superiorities of air-cooled bainitic steels were described. A series of air-cooled bainitic steels containing manganese were developed and presented, which include low carbon granular bainitic steels, low carbon grain-boundary allotriomorphic ferrite/granular bainite dual phase steels, medium and medium high carbon bainite/martensite dual phase steel, low carbon carbide free bainite/martensite dual phase steels and casting bainitic steels. The development of ultra-low carbon bainitic steels in China was also introduced.

Structure Character of M-A Constituent in CGHAZ of New Ultra-Low Carbon Bainitic Steel under Laser Welding Conditions

800 MPa grade new ultra-low carbon bainitic （NULCB） steel is the recently developed new generation steel. The microstructure in the coarse-grained heat affected zone （CGHAZ） of NULCB steel under laser welding conditions was investigated by thermal simulation. The influence of the cooling time from 800℃ to 500℃.t8/5 （0.3-30 s）, on the microstructure of the CGHAZ was discussed. The experimental results indicate that the microstructnre of the CGHAZ is only the granular bainite which consists of bainitic ferrite （BF） lath and M-A constituent while t8/5 is 0.3-30 s. The M-A constituent consists of twinned martensite and residual austenite, and the change of the volume fraction of the residual austenite in the M-A constituent is very small when t8/5 is between 0.3 and 30 s. The morphology of the M-A constituent obviously changes with the variation of t8/5.As t8/5 increases, tile average width, gross and shape parameter of the M-A constituent increase, while the line density of the M-A constituent decreases.

Effects of Mn on Microstructures and Properties of Hot Rolled Low Carbon Bainitic Steels

Two kinds of Mn-Si-Mo low carbon steels were designed to study the effects of Mn on the microstructures and properties of hot rolled low carbon bainitic steels.To reduce the production cost,a very low Mo content of 0.13%was added in both steels.After hot rolling,the mechanical properties of samples were tested.Microstructure was observed and analyzed by optical microscope and transmission electron microscope.The results show that the strength of tested steels increases with the increase in Mn content,while the elongation decreases.When Mn content increases,the bainite microstructure increases.The results can provide a theoretical basis for composition design and industrial production of low cost low carbon bainitic steels.

Impact Toughness Scattering of Bainitic Steel in the Ductile-brittle Transition Temperature Region

The impact toughness scattering in the ductile-brittle transition temperature （DBTT） region was experimentally examined on mixed and homogeneous grains of low alloy high strength bainitic steel under dynamic loading conditions. The results revealed that the mixed grain microstructure had larger impact toughness scattering than the homogeneous one, and the impact toughness scattering was mainly caused by the scattering in the cleavage fractttre stress σf. The value of σf. is related to the size of the microcrack formed in the bainitic packet. When a bainitic packet-sized microcrack propagates from one bainitic packet into the adjacent packet, cleavage fracture occurs. The cleavage fracture is controlled by the few coarse packets in the microstructures, and the σf scattering is influenced by the varied distances/relative locations between these coarse packets, and homogenizing the distribution of fine bainitic packet sizes is an effective way to reduce the impact toughness scattering in the DBTT region.

Ratcheting led surface failure of medium carbon bainitic steel under mild operation conditions

The behavior of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) of medium carbon bainitic back-up roll steel was investigated under its actual work conditions. A kind of asperity-scale surface originated cracks, which is lying parallel or at an acute angle to the surfaces, initiated after unidirectional plastic flow of the material in thin surface layer had occurred. Theoretical analysis indicates that they nucleate due to plastic ratcheting induced by asperity contact stresses, and consequently are named as ratcheting cracks. After nucleating and initially propagating, they arrest at some depth and resume propagating till about 70%-80% of the RCF failure life by initially turning parallel to contact surfaces. Their behavior of initiation and propagation is confined to a thin layer prior to the formation of surface distress. According to the critical principle of the preventive grinding strategy, removing the asperity influenced surface layer at about 70%-80% of the RCF failure life can effectively prevent the ratcheting cracks from developing into surface distress, which can lead to the formation of macro-RCF failure soon.

CCT-DIAGRAMS OF Si-Mn-Mo BAINITIC STEELS

CCT-diagrams of Si-Mn-Mo bainitic steels have been determined.With Mo 0.25%,the high-temperature transformation of the steel shifts large to the right,and the bainitic trans- formation region becomes a“flat topped C-curve”at cooling rate in wide range.Si in the steel may cause shift of the bainitic transformation region towards the right,and of the pro-eutectoid ferritic transformation region towards the left.Mn may delay the high temper- ature transformation more violently than the bainitic transformation.

Study on laser welded heat-affected zone in new ultralow carbon bainitic steel

800 MPa grade ultralow carbon bainitic （NULCB） steel is the recently developed new generation steel, which was produced by thermo mechanical controlled processing ＆ relaxation-precipitation controlling transformation （TMCP＆RPC） tech- nique. The microstructure and the mechanical properties of the heat-affected zone （HAZ） in NULCB steel under laser welding conditions were investigated by using a Gleeble-1500 thermal simulator. The experimental results indicate that the simplex microstructure in the HAZ is granular bainite that consists of bainite-ferrite （BF） lath and M-A constituent when the cooling time from 800 to 500℃ （t8/5） is 0.3-30 s, and the M-A constituent consists of twinned martensite and residual austenite. As t8/5 increases, the hardness and tensile strength of HAZ decreases, but they are higher than that of the base metal, indicating the absence of softened zone after laser welding. The impact toughness of HAZ increases at first and then decreases when t8/5 increases. The impact energy of HAZ is much higher than that of the base metal when t8/5 is between 3 and 15 s. It indicates that excellent low temperature toughness can be obtained under appropriate laser welding conditions.

Research on microstructural evolution and dynamic recrystailization behavior of JB800 bainitic steel by FEM

Single pass compression tests were conducted on Gleeblel500 thermal simulator. The effect of different deformation parameters on the grain size of dynamically recrystallized austenite was analyzed. A mathematical model of dynamic recrystallization and a material database of JB800 steel, whose tensile strength is above 800 MPa, were set up. A subprogram was compiled using Fortran language and called by Marc finite element software. A thermal coupled elastoplastic finite element model was established to simulate the compression process. The grain size of recrystallized austenite obtained by different recrystallization models was simulated. The results show that the optimized dynamic recrystallization model of JB800 bainitic steel has a higher precision and yields good agreement with metallographic observations.

Mechanical Method Determining Precipitation in an Ultra-Low Carbon Bainitic Steel

Stress relaxation was chosen as the best method for monitoring the precipitation process. Tests were carried out on an ultra-low carbon bainitic steel containing Mn, Nb and B over 800~950℃. Specimens were solu- tion treated at 1250℃ for a certain holding period. A prestain of 20% was applied at a strain rate of 0.1/s. The exper- imental results are displayed by a set of stress vs. 1g(time) curves different from the typical stress relaxation curves. There are two singularities forming a stress plateau on the stress vs.1g(time) curves when precipitates could be observed. Suppose the first one is the start of precipitation (Ps), and the second represcnts the fihish (Pf). As a result Precipitation-Time-Temperature relationship is described as C-shape curves based on two points. This mechanical method is suitable and precise for measuring precipitates in microalloyed steels during hot working.

A creep technique for monitoring the aging precipitation in Cu-Nb bainitic steels

A creep technique was applied on a Gleeble-1500 thermal simulator for monitoring the aging precipitation in ultra-low carbon steels containing various coppers. The aging hardening curve was obtained by the hardness testing. With the aid of an optical microscope and TEM, the microstructure and the aging precipitates were detected. The results indicate that when the precipitation occurs during the creep a plateau will appear on the creep curve; the left-hand and right-hand endings of the plateau correspond to the precipitation start （Ps） and finish （Pf） times, respectively. The Pf obtained from the creep curve coincides with the peak hardness time （tp） at the aging hardening curve. A precipitation-time-temperature （PTT） diagram of the steel can be obtained.

Development of New Type Mn-Series Bainitic Steels in China

The alloying design idea,strengthening-toughening mechanism,microstructure,mechanical performances,development and application in China of new type Mn-series bainitic steels are introduced.Mn-series air-cooling bainitic steels including granular bainitic steels,FGBA /BG duplex steels,CFB/M duplex steels,medium carbon bainite/martensite steels,cast bainitic steels are presented.The invented idea mechanical performances,development and application of second generation of Mn-series bainitic steels,i.e.water quenching Mn-series bainitic steels invented by the authors newly are introduced.The water quenching Mn-series bainitic steels cover severe series steels containing ultra-low carbon,low-low carbon,medium-low carbon,and high-low carbon content etc,which can reduce the amount of alloying content,increase hardening capability and improve weldability.It should be pointed out that the application of both air cooling and water quenching Mn-series bainitic steels are complementary and mutually reinforcing,and the new type Mn-series bainitic steels can meet the performance requirements of most steels used in engineering structure.Some newest technologies of Mn-series bainitic steels in China are discussed in this paper.It is suggested that the significance of the development of the Mn-series bainitic steels can be summarized as:significantly reducing costs of both raw materials and production;good combination of strength and toughness;excellent weldability;simple procedure;large savings in energy resources and reduced environmental pollution.

Creation of Air-Cooled Mn Series Bainitic Steels

The development and mechanical performances of new type air-cooled Mn series bainitic steels including granular bainitic steels, FGBA/BG duplex steels, CFB/M duplex steels, medium carbon bainite/martensite steels, cast bainitic steels invented by the authors are summarized. The novel series of bainitic steels are alloyed with Mn, and several series bainitic duplex microstructures can be easily obtained under the condition of air cooling through unique composition design. The invented idea, the principle of alloying design, the strengthening mechanism, and the evolution of the microstructure of new type air cooled Mn series bainitic steels are presented. Furthermore, the applications in different fields of these Mn series air cooled bainitic steels with different strength level are also introduced. It is suggested that the significance of the development of the air cooled Mn series bainitic steel can be summarized as follows： reducing costs of both raw materials and production; good combination of strength and toughness; self-hardening with high bainitic hardenahility by air cooling from hot working without additional quenching-tempering treatment or quenching procedure; large savings in energy resources; and reduced environmental pollution.

Continuous Cooling Transformation Behavior and Kinetic Models of Transformations for an Ultra-Low Carbon Bainitic Steel

The aim was to investigate transformation behavior and transformation kinetics of an ultra-low carbon bai- nitic steel during continuous cooling. Continuous cooling transformation （CCT） curves of tested steel were measured by thermal dilatometer and metallographic structures at room temperature were observed by optical microscope. Then transformation kinetic equation of austenite to ferrite as well as austenite to bainite was established by analyzing the relationship of lnln]-l/（1--f）] and lnt in the kinetic equation on the basis of processed experimental data. Finally, the measured and calculated kinetic behaviors of the steel during continuous cooling were compared and growth pat- terns of transformed ferrite and bainite were analyzed. Results showed that calculated result was in reasonable agree- ment with the experimental data. It could be concluded that the growth modes of transformed ferrite and bainite were mainly one dimension as the Avrami exponents were between 1 and 2.

CCT Curves of Low-Carbon Mn-Si Steels and Development of Water-Cooled Bainitic Steels

CCT curves of Mn-Si steels with different manganese contents or carbon contents were determined. The results show that the transformation range of bainite can be separated from that of ferrite when the manganese content approaches a certain content, and the incubation period of ferrite increases more significantly than that of bainite transformation with the increase of carbon content in Mn-Si steels. Furthermore, water-cooled bainitic steels without adding expensive alloying element were developed. Granular bainite was obtained when a bar with diameter of 300 mm was cooled by water, and a mixed microstructure of granular bainite and martensite was obtained in watercooled plate with thickness of 40 mm. The developed water-cooled bainitic Steels containing no expensive alloying element showed a good combination of strength and toughness. The tensile strength, yield strength, and toughness （AKU at --20℃ ） of bar with diameter of 300 mm after water cooling were higher than 850 MPa, 620 MPa, and 65 J, respectively, and those of plate with thickness of 40mm after water cooling were higher than 1000 MPa, 800 MPa, and 50J, respectively.

Corrosion Resistance on High Strength Bainitic Steel and 09CuPCrNi After Wet-Dry Cyclic Conditions

The accelerated wet-dry cyclic corrosion tests have been carried out of a high strength bainitic steel and 09CuPCrNi. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of 09CuPCrNi was better than that of the bainitic steel based on the mass loss measurements. The morphology and composition of the rusting products have been investigated in order to realize the mechanism of rust formation on the two steels. The rust scale on both steels was composed of a dense inner layer and a loose outer layer. The inner layer grew thicker and denser as the test proceeding. Both of inner and outer layers were mainly composed of magnetite （Fe3O4） and maghemite （γ-Fe2O3） with a small amount of lepidocrocite （γ-FeOOH） and akaganeite （β-FeOOH）. The rust phase of γ-Fe2O3 was detected in a higher amount of the inner layer, resulting in a much denser inner layer. The inner rust layer of 09CuPCrNi being denser and thicker than that of the high strength bainitic steel was attributed to the alloying elements such as copper, chromium and phosphorus enriched in it. The protective inner rust layer plays an important role in the corrosion resistance of the steel.

Influence of Nb on Microstructure and Property of Low-Carbon Mn-Series Air-Cooled Bainitic Steel

The effect of Nb on the microstructure evolution of low-carbon Mn-series air cooled bainitic steels has been studied by using thermomeehanical simulation machine, SEM, and TEM observation. The results show that the amount of ferrites is relatively higher in the steel without Nb than that of Nb-bearing steel under same deformation conditions, and the ferrites in Nb-bearing steel are more finer. The mechanical properties of the Nb-bearing steel are higher than those of the steel without Nb at the same finishing rolling temperature （FRT）, and the toughness of the Nb- bearing steel is about 100J higher than that of the steel without Nh at the finishing rolling temperature 750℃. The toughness of Nb microalloyed steel will be improved more effectively than that of the steel without Nb with the decrease of FRT.

Effects of Mn and Cr contents on microstructures and mechanical properties of low temperature bainitic steel

The effects of Mn and Cr contents on bainitic transformation kinetics,microstructures and mechanical properties of high-carbon low alloy steels after austempered at 230,300 and 350 ℃ were determined by dilatometry,optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction and tensile tests. The results showed that Mn and Cr can extend bainitic incubation period and completion time,and with the increase of Mn and Cr content,the bainitic ferrite plate thickness decreased and the volume fraction of retained austenite increased. TRIP（ transformation induced plasticity） effect was observed during tensile testing which improved the overall mechanical property. The increase of Mn concentration can improve the strength to a certain extent,but reduce the ductility. The increase of Cr concentration can improve the ductility of bainitic steels which transformed at a low temperature. The low temperature bainitic steel austempered at 230 ℃ exhibited excellent mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength of（ 2146 ± 11） MPa and total elongation of（ 12. 95 ± 0. 15） %.