Corrosion Test of the Steel Plate in a WJ-8 Fastener for High Speed Rail

It was found that the steel plate in the composite plate in the WJ-8 fastener used in high speed rail is rusty. The objective of this study is to test the zinc coating of the steel plate. A literature review was conducted to identify the zinc coating techniques, and the companies that can provide different coating service was identified. A salt fog chamber was built that was in compliance with the ANSI B117 code, and the steel plates that were coated by the identified companies were tested using the salt fog chamber. The results indicated that the coating technique that had the best performance in preventing corrosion was the Greenkote plates with passivation. The galvanized option had the roughest coating layer, and it was the most reactive in the salt water solution. This makes it non-ideal for the dynamic rail environment because the increased friction of the plate could damage the supports, especially during extreme temperatures that would cause the rail to expand or contract. Greenkote with Phosphate and ArmorGalv also provided increased corrosion prevention with a smooth, strong finish, but it had more rust on the surface area than the Greenkote with ELU passivation. The ArmorGalv sample had more rust on the surface area than the Greenkote samples. This may not be a weakness in the ArmorGalv process;rather, it likely was the result of this particular sample not having the added protection of a colored coating.

Effect of ferrovanadium inoculation on microstructure and properties of high speed steel

The effect of ferrovanadium inoculation on the microstructure and properties of high speed steel (HSS) used for rolls was studied. The results showed that the as-cast eutectic carbide network tends to be broken after ferrovanadium inoculation, and the carbides are changed to rod-like or nodular shape. After heat treatment, the carbides in the inoculated HSS are spheroidized and distributed more uniformly in the matrix. The impact toughness of high speed steel with ferrovanadium inoculation is obviously improved. The action mechanism of ferrovanadium inoculation on the microstructure of the alloy is also discussed.

MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SPRAY FORMED HIGH SPEED STEEL FOR WORK ROLL

The mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics of a high speed steel (HSS) for roll has been studied. As compared with the as-cast HSS, the spray-formed HSS have fine grain and segregation free microstructures. Carbides distribute uniformly. The morphology and types of the carbides in spray-formed HSS are different from those in as-cast HSS. The results of the high temperature tensile experiment show that, as to spray-formed HSS, there is a possibility of superplastic deformation in the range of 780-810℃.

Effect of RE-Al-N on Structures and Properties of M2 Cast High Speed Steel

M2 cast high speed steel was inoculated by addition of rare earth(RE)-Al-N, network eutectic carbides were eliminated, matrix microstructures were refined and the segregation of tungsten and molybdenum elements was relieved. In the condition that the hardness does not decrease, impact toughness obviously increases. Quenching at 1180 ℃ and three-times tempering at 560 ℃, the hardness of M2 cast high speed steel is 65～66 HRC, and impact toughness reaches 21.3 (J·cm^(-2)). Modified M2 cast high speed steel has excellent thermal fatigue resistance and high temperature wear resistance. Roller made in modified M2 cast high speed steel has excellent service effect when it is used in slit rolling mill of hot rolling bar mill.

Study on stable and meta-stable carbides in a high speed steel for rollers during tempering processes

A high speed steel （HSS） was studied for rollers in this work. The steel was quenched at 1150℃ and tempered at 520℃. The phase structures of the steel were determined by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and the hardness of specimens was measured. The volume fraction of carbides was counted by Image-Pro Plus software. The typical microstructures were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM）. Stable and meta-stable carbides were deduced by removing the existing phases one by one in the Fe-C equilibrium calculation. It is found that the precipitated carbides are bulk-like MC, long stripe-like M2C, fishbone-like M6C, and daisy-like M7C3 during the tempering process. The stable carbides are MC and M6C, but the meta-stable ones are M2C, M7C3, and M3C.

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.

Microstructure and forming characteristics of spray-formed M42 high speed steel

M42 high speed steel （HSS）, a high grade alloy, was produced using the spray forming technology. Optical metallography （OM）,X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscope （SEM） were used to investigate the microstructures of the as-sprayed M42 HSS and the as-atomized powders. It is found that as-sprayed M42 HSS is composed of martensite, retained austenite and carbides. The grain size, as well as the morphology, size and distribution of the carbides have been greatly improved compared with those of the as-cast M42 steel （ a traditional process）. The size of the powder obtained at a high cold speed was ranged from 50 μm to 100μm in diameter. Its representative microstructures include dendrite, dendritic fragments, a mixture of dendrites, equiaxed grains and dendritic fragments,and equiaxed grains. The rapid solidification in the spray forming is a key factor to cause the refinement of the M42 HSS.

Effect of quenching temperature on structure and properties of centrifugal casting high speed steel roll

The critical points and time-temperature-transformation(TTT)curves of the isothermal transformation diagrams for a high-speed steel casting on a horizontal centrifugal casting machine had been determined experimentally in the study.The effects of quenching temperature on the microstructures and properties of centrifugal casting high speed steel(HSS)roll has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), light optical microscopy(LOM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD)as well as using tensile,impact,and hardness tests. The results show that the HSS roll has excellent hardenability and its matrix structure can be transformed into the martensite after being quenched in the sodium silicate solution.The retained austenite in the quenching structure increases and the hardness decreases when the quenching temperature exceeds 1,040℃.The tensile strength and impact toughness of HSS roll increase once the quenching temperature is raised from 980℃to 1,040℃. However,the tensile strength and impact toughness have no significant change when the quenching temperature exceeds 1,040℃.The HSS roll quenched at 1,040℃exhibits excellent comprehensive mechanical properties.

Effect of casting technology on microstructure and phases of high carbon high speed steel

The as-cast microstructures of high carbon high speed steels(HC-HSS) made by sand casting,centrifugal casting and electromagnetic centrifugal casting,respectively,were studied by using of optical microscopy(OM) and D/max2200pc X-ray diffraction.The results show that the microstructure of as-cast HC-HSS is dominated by alloy carbides(W2C,VC,Cr7C3),martensite and austenite.The centrifugal casting and electromagnetic centrifugal casting apparently improve the solidification structure of HC-HSS.With the increase of magnetic intensity(B),the volume fraction of austenite in the HC-HSS solidification structure increases significantly while the eutectic ledeburite decreases.Moreover,the secondary carbides precipitated from the austenite are finer with more homogeneous distribution in the electromagnetic centrifugal castings.It has also been found that the lath of eutectic carbide in ledeburite becomes finer and carbide phase spacing in eutectic ledeburite increases along with the higher magnetic field strength.

On microstructure and performance of tempered high-boron high-speed steel roll

Influences of the tempering temperature on the microstructure, mechanical property and wear resistance of High-Boron High Speed Steel (HBHSS) roll materials were investigated by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, hardness measurement, impact tester, tensile tester and pin abrasion tester. The results show that the as-cast structure of HBHSS consists of a great amount of martensite and M2(B,C) and a few retained austenites and M23(B,C)6. After solution treated at 1,050 °C and followed by oil cooling, the amount of M23(B,C)6 carbo-borides in quenched HBHSS increases obviously and the macrohardness of the quenched HBHSS is 66 HRC, which is very close to the 65.8 HRC of as-cast HBHSS. On the whole, the hardness of HBHSS alloy shows a trend of slight decrease with increasing tempering temperature when tempered below 500 °C. While when above 500 °C, the hardness increases slightly as the tempering temperature increases and reaches a peak at 525 °C and then decreases obviously. The impact toughness of HBHSS has a tendency to increase as the tempering temperature increases. Tempering can improve the tensile strength and elongation of HBHSS, but a higher tempering temperature causes a slight decrease in both tensile strength and elongation. Excellent wear resistance can be obtained by tempering at 500 to 550 °C.

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.

Development and Application of Die-Casting High Speed Steel Rolls

Due to its high hardness,good red hardness and excellent wear resistance at high temperature,high speed steel(HSS)is fit for the roll manufacture.In order to overcome the segregation of centrifugal casting of HSS roll,die-cast processes were developed and its effects on the properties of the HSS roll were investigated.It was found that pressure,pressing time and speed are three important factors affecting shrinkage cavity.For pouring temperature of 1 400-1 450 ℃,pressure of 150-160 MPa,pressing time of 120-150 sand pressing speed of 14-16mm/s,a compact HSS roll was obtained,which has no segregation and small working allowance.In the high speed wire rod rolling mill,service life of the HSS roll is 5to 8times longer than that of high nickel chromium infinite chilled cast iron roll.

Investigation on Rapidly Solidified T15 High Speed Steel Powder and Its Bulk Microcrystalline Material

Authors produced rapidly solidified T15 high speed steel powders by high pressure(5~ 6MPa) N_a atomization and liquid N_2 cooling,observed and analyzed the morphology and structure of the powders;at the same time,prepared bulk microcrystalline T15 high speed steel materials by hot extruding or HIPing and hot rolling of the powders,observed and measured the microstructure and performance of the bulk materials.It was shown that rapid solidification may change the solidification characteristics and structure of T15 high speed steel powder and improve the qualities and properties of T15 high speed steel materials.

Microstructure and Eutectic Carbide Morphology of the High Speed Steel Strips Produced by Twin Roll Strip Casting Process

The M2 high-speed steel strip was produced by using the laboratory scale twin roll strip caster. The microstructure and eutectic carbide morphology of thus produced products were observed and analyzed, and the comparison of those with conventional products was carried out. The effects of the processing parameters such as the melting temperature, the pouring temperature, rolling speed and separating force on the microstructure and eutectic carbide morphology and their distribution were analyzed. The spheroidizing process of the strips in the annealing process was investigated. The relations between the growth and spheroidizing of the eutectic carbide and the annealing technology were obtained, and the mechanism of the twin roll strip casting process improving the eutectic carbide spheroidizing was discussed. The theoretical instruction for determining the subsequent treatment process was provided.

High Speed Steel and WC Particle-Reinforced Composites Produce by Spray Forming

The process of spray forming utilized to fabricate WC particle-reinforced high speed steel composites has been studied. In addition, microstructures and mechanical properties of M2 high speed steel and its composites made by spray forming have been analyzed. The results show that the primary carbides of high speed steel are of two types: MC and MbC. With the increase in flight distance, the morphology of the primary carbides varies from fine fish-bone-like to islandlike and both bending strength and hardness increase. With the increase in volume fraction of WC reinforcement particles,hardness of the composites increases considerably, but bending strength, however, appears to be a decreasing tendency.

Quantitative Mossbauer Study on Retained Austenite and Carbide in High Speed Steel

The retained austenite in high speed steel of two different heat treatment regimes was quantitatively,determined by transmission Mssbauer spectroscopy (TMS),backscattering X-ray geometry,Mossbauer spectroscopy (BXMS) and X-ray diffraction technique.The results meas- ured by these methods were in agreement with each other.It was demonstrated that the concentration of carbides in high speed steel could be measured by transmission Mossbauer spectroscopy or Mossbau- er spectroscopy in backscattering X-ray geometry accurately.

Effects of heat treatment on structures and properties of high speed steel rolls

The effects of quenching temperature, cooling pattern, temper temperature andtemper times on the structure and properti-es of high speed steel (HSS) rolls have beeninvestigated. The results show that, when the quenching temperature is lower than 1050℃ thehardness of HSS increases with the quenching temperature increasing in oil cooling, but when thequenching temperature exceeds 1100℃ the hardness decreases. In the conditions of salt bath coolingand air cooling, the effect of quenching temperature on the hardness is similar to the above law,but the quenching temperature obtaining the highest hardness is higher than that in oil cooling.When the temper temperature below 350℃ the hardness of HSS has a little change, when above 475℃the hardness will increase with the temper temperature increasing, and the highest hardness isobtained at 525℃. When the temper temperature continues to increase, the hardness decreases. Twicetemper has little effect on the hardness, but three times temper decreases the hardness. HSS in aircooling has lower hardenability, oil cooling can easily produce crackle, and HSS quenching in saltbath has high harde-nability and excellent wear resistance.

Effect of Alloying Additions on the Oxidation of High Speed Steels under Dry and Wet Conditions

An investigation has been carried out into the effects of chromium and vanadium content on the oxidation rate and on the adhesion of oxide scales grown on three different chemical compositions of high speed steels under dry and wet conditions.The oxidation tests were carried out in a thermobalance at 650℃for up to 14.4 ks.The mass gain of the specimens increased with increasing contents of water vapour. Alloy composition had no effect on the oxidation rate in dry conditions.The'adhesion'of the oxide scale was determined using indentation with a Rockwell C diamond and the pull adhesion test to determine the interfacial toughness and the tensile strength of the oxide metal bond,respectively.Generally,the results of the investigation indicated that oxide adhesion was lowest for the specimens exposed to dry conditions, and that with increasing water vapour content,the scale was more adherent.Indentation test results showed that an increase in the V concentration was deleterious to oxide adhesion in both the dry and wet environments,whereas an increase in the Cr-content had little effect on adhesion.

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.

Development of Centrifugal Cast High Speed Steel Roll with High Wear Resistance for Pre-Finishing Stands of a Hot Rod-Wire Mill

The present study aims at developing high speed steel (HSS) as roll materialsto replace traditional roll materials such as the alloy cast iron and powder metallurgical (PM)hard alloy, because low-cost alloy cast iron rolls have poor wear resistance and the cost ofhigh-quality PM hard alloy rolls is too high to be accepted by some users. By means of a centrifugalcasting method, HSS rolls with excellent wear resistance have been developed. Its hardness is 65-67 HRC, and its variation is smaller than 2HRC; its impact toughness excels 15J/cm^2. Usingpre-finishing stands of a high-speed hot wire-rod rolling mill, the wear rate of HSS rolls per onethousand ton of steel is 0. 25mm. However, the manufacturing burden of HSS rolls is obviously lowerthan that of PM hard alloy rolls; it is only 30% of that of PM hard alloy rolls.