Prediction model for corrosion rate of low-alloy steels under atmospheric conditions using machine learning algorithms

This work constructed a machine learning(ML)model to predict the atmospheric corrosion rate of low-alloy steels(LAS).The material properties of LAS,environmental factors,and exposure time were used as the input,while the corrosion rate as the output.6 dif-ferent ML algorithms were used to construct the proposed model.Through optimization and filtering,the eXtreme gradient boosting(XG-Boost)model exhibited good corrosion rate prediction accuracy.The features of material properties were then transformed into atomic and physical features using the proposed property transformation approach,and the dominant descriptors that affected the corrosion rate were filtered using the recursive feature elimination(RFE)as well as XGBoost methods.The established ML models exhibited better predic-tion performance and generalization ability via property transformation descriptors.In addition,the SHapley additive exPlanations(SHAP)method was applied to analyze the relationship between the descriptors and corrosion rate.The results showed that the property transformation model could effectively help with analyzing the corrosion behavior,thereby significantly improving the generalization ability of corrosion rate prediction models.

Flow characteristics and hot workability of a typical low-alloy high-strength steel during multi-pass deformation

Heavy components of low-alloy high-strength(LAHS) steels are generally formed by multi-pass forging. It is necessary to explore the flow characteristics and hot workability of LAHS steels during the multi-pass forging process, which is beneficial to the formulation of actual processing parameters. In the study, the multi-pass hot compression experiments of a typical LAHS steel are carried out at a wide range of deformation temperatures and strain rates. It is found that the work hardening rate of the experimental material depends on deformation parameters and deformation passes, which is ascribed to the impacts of static and dynamic softening behaviors. A new model is established to describe the flow characteristics at various deformation passes. Compared to the classical Arrhenius model and modified Zerilli and Armstrong model, the newly proposed model shows higher prediction accuracy with a confidence level of 0.98565. Furthermore, the connection between power dissipation efficiency(PDE) and deformation parameters is revealed by analyzing the microstructures. The PDE cannot be utilized to reflect the efficiency of energy dissipation for microstructure evolution during the entire deformation process, but only to assess the efficiency of energy dissipation for microstructure evolution in a specific deformation parameter state.As a result, an integrated processing map is proposed to better study the hot workability of the LAHS steel, which considers the effects of instability factor(IF), PDE, and distribution and size of grains. The optimized processing parameters for the multi-pass deformation process are the deformation parameters of 1223–1318 K and 0.01–0.08 s^(-1). Complete dynamic recrystallization occurs within the optimized processing parameters with an average grain size of 18.36–42.3 μm. This study will guide the optimization of the forging process of heavy components.

Development in oxide metallurgy for improving the weldability of high -strength low-alloy steel-Combined deoxidizers and microalloying elements

The mechanisms of oxide metallurgy include inducing the formation of intragranular acicular ferrite(IAF)using micron-sized inclusions and restricting the growth of prior austenite grains(PAGs)by nanosized particles during welding.The chaotically oriented IAF and refined PAGs inhibit crack initiation and propagation in the steel,resulting in high impact toughness.This work summarizes the com-bined effect of deoxidizers and alloying elements,with the aim to provide a new perspective for the research and practice related to im-proving the impact toughness of the heat affected zone(HAZ)during the high heat input welding.Ti complex deoxidation with other strong deoxidants,such as Mg,Ca,Zr,and rare earth metals(REMs),can improve the toughness of the heat-affected zone(HAZ)by re-fining PAGs or increasing IAF contents.However,it is difficult to identify the specific phase responsible for IAF nucleation because ef-fective inclusions formed by complex deoxidation are usually multiphase.Increasing alloying elements,such as C,Si,Al,Nb,or Cr,con-tents can impair HAZ toughness.A high C content typically increases the number of coarse carbides and decreases the potency of IAF formation.Si,Cr,or Al addition leads to the formation of undesirable microstructures.Nb reduces the high-temperature stability of the precipitates.Mo,V,and B can enhance HAZ toughness.Mo-containing precipitates present good thermal stability.VN or V(C,N)is ef-fective in promoting IAF nucleation due to its good coherent crystallographic relationship with ferrite.The formation of the B-depleted zone around the inclusion promotes IAF formation.The interactions between alloying elements are complex,and the effect of adding dif-ferent alloying elements remains to be evaluated.In the future,the interactions between various alloying elements and their effects on ox-ide metallurgy,as well as the calculation of the nucleation effects of effective inclusions using first principles calculations will become the focus of oxide metallurgy.

Corrosion behavior and corrosion products of a low-alloy weathering steel in Qingdao and Wanning

A newly developed low-alloy weathering steel has been exposed in two coastal sites （Qingdao in the north, Wanning in the south） in China for one year. The samples in Wanning corroded far more seriously than those in Qingdao. The rust layer formed on the steel was analyzed by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, N2 adsorption approach, polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）. The rust formed in Qingdao contains more X-ray amorphous compounds and is more compact than that formed in Wanning. Cr and Cu are enriched in the rust layer near the steel matrix, and the phenomenon is more obvious in Qingdao than in Wanning. The rust layer formed in Qingdao suppresses the anodic and cathodic reaction more remarkably than that formed in Wanning does. The rust layer formed in Qingdao possesses a higher ability to block the permeation of chloride ions than that formed in Wanning does.

Determining role of heterogeneous microstructure in lowering yield ratio and enhancing impact toughness in high-strength low-alloy steel

Here we present a novel approach of intercritical heat treatment for microstructure tailoring,in which intercritical annealing is introduced between conventional quenching and tempering.This induced a heterogeneous microstructure consisting of soft intercritical ferrite and hard tempered martensite,resulting in a low yield ratio(YR)and high impact toughness in a high-strength low-alloy steel.The initial yielding and subsequent work hardening behavior of the steel during tensile deformation were modified by the presence of soft intercritical ferrite after intercritical annealing,in comparison to the steel with full martensitic microstructure.The increase in YR was related to the reduction in hardness difference between the soft and hard phases due to the precipitation of nano-carbides and the recovery of dislocations during tempering.The excellent low-temperature toughness was ascribed not only to the decrease in probability of microcrack initiation for the reduction of hardness difference between two phases,but also to the increase in resistance of microcrack propagation caused by the high density of high angle grain boundaries.

Dual Phase Heat Treatment of Low-Alloy Steel

Dual phase heat treatment is an economical and effective way for improving the properties of low carbon steels and low-alloy steel materials. In this paper, the microstructures and mechanical properties of 20MnSi steel treated by different dual phase heat treatment have been studied. The results show that dual phase heat treatment with pre-quenching technique and then heating from room temperature to the critical zone can achieve finer and more homogeneous microstructure than that with pre-normalizing technique and then cooling from austenite zone to the critical zone. Among all factors affecting dual phase heat treatment, quenching temperature at the critical zone and tempering temperature play an important part in mechanical properties. Using proper dual phase heat treatment technique with computer optimized parameters, the yield strength, the elongation and impact toughness of 20MnSi can reach 860 MPa, 16% and 207 MPa respectively.

Effect of nanosized NbC precipitates on hydrogen-induced cracking of high-strength low-alloy steel

We investigated the effect of nanosized NbC precipitates on hydrogen-induced cracking(HIC)of high-strength low-alloy steel by conducting slow-strain-rate tensile tests(SSRT)and performing continuous hydrogen charging and fracture analysis.The results reveal that the HIC resistance of Nb-bearing steel is obviously superior to that of Nb-free steel,with the fractured Nb-bearing steel in the SSRT exhibiting a smaller ratio of elongation reduction(Iδ).However,as the hydrogen traps induced by NbC precipitates approach hydrogen saturation,the effect of the precipitates on the HIC resistance attenuate.We speculate that the highly dispersed nanosized NbC precipitates act as irreversible hydrogen traps that hinder the accumulation of hydrogen at potential crack nucleation sites.In addition,much like Nb-free steel,the Nb-bearing steel exhibits both H-solution strengthening and the resistance to HIC.

Susceptibility of two types of low-alloy hull steels to pit initiation

Four low-alloy hull steels with different alloy elements were selected. Theirsusceptibility to pitting corrosion was compared by means of electrochemical polarization test. Theinclusions in the steels and their pitting corrosion characteristics were studied by an electronprobe micro-analyzer (EPMA). The results indicate that some inclusions are the main sources ofpitting corrosion. The susceptibility of nickel-chromium steel to pit initiation is less than thatof manganese steel. Under the same conditions, nickel-chromium steel is easier to passivate thanmanganese steel, and the passive films on nickel-chromium steel surface are more stable than that onmanganese steel. In low-alloy steels, the higher the contents of nickel and chromium, the lower thecritical passive pH value. In the same kind of steel, multi-phase inclusions containing sulfide areeasier to initiate pitting corrosion than other inclusions.

Modeling of metadynamic recrystallization kinetics after hot deformation of low-alloy steel Q345B

Based on the steady-state strain measured by single-pass hot compression tests,the method by a double-pass hot compression testing was developed to measure the metadynamic-recrystallization kinetics.The metadynamic recrystallization behavior of low-alloy steel Q345B during hot compression deformation was investigated in the temperature range of 1 000-1 100℃,the strain rate range of 0.01-0.10 s -1 and the interpass time range of 0.5-50 s on a Gleeble-3500 thermo-simulation machine.The results show that metadynamic recrystallization during the interpass time can be observed.As the deformation temperature and strain rate increase,softening caused by metadynamic recrystallization is obvious.According to the data of thermo-simulation,the metadynamic recrystallization activation energy is obtained to be Qmd=100.674 kJ/mol and metadynamic recrystallization kinetics model is set up.Finally,the error analysis of metadynamic recrystallization kinetics model proves that the model has high accuracy(correlation coefficient R=0.988 6).

Spheroidization process in large-deformed high-carbon steel

In this study,the spheroidization process of large-deformed steel under various conditions was researched.Steel with a high carbon content （1.0％ C） was first treated thermomechanically using multipass rolling.Then it underwent spheroidization treatments at different heating temperatures,using various heating times and cooling rates.Spheroidization processes with a lower heating temperature,shorter heating time,or faster cooling rate than those of the traditional process all showed good results,indicating that the spheroidization process was promoted significantly by the large deformation process.Grain refinement and fragmentation of cementite,along with the large deformation process,promoted this spheroidization process.

Effect of RE-Modifier on Microstructure and Mechanical Property of High-Carbon Medium-Manganese Steel

The effect of RE-modifier on the microstructure and mechanical properties of high carbon-medium manganese steel has been investigated in present work.The results showed that the RE-modifier can refine the crystalline grain of high-carbon medium-manganese steel.The shape and distribution of carbides are improved and the columnar grains and phosphide in grain boundary are eliminated.Consequently,the impact toughness of the steel is increased by more than one time,compared with no addition of RE-modifier.

Effect of microstructure variation on the corrosion behavior of high-strength low-alloy steel in 3.5wt% NaCl solution

The effect of microstructure variation on the corrosion behavior of high-strength low-alloy（HSLA） steel was investigated. The protective property of the corrosion product layer was also explored. Experimental results reveal that the type of microstructure has significant effect on the corrosion resistance of HSLA steel. The measurement results of weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicate that the steel with acicular ferrite microstructure exhibits the lowest corrosion rate. Martensite exhibits a reduced corrosion resistance compared with polygonal ferrite. It is found that the surface of the acicular ferrite specimen uniformly covered by corrosion products is seemingly denser and more compact than those of the other two microstructures, and can provide some amount of protection to the steel; thus, the charge transfer resistance and modulus values of the acicular ferrite specimen are the largest. However, corrosion products on martensite and polygonal ferrite are generally loose, porous, and defective, and can provide minor protectiveness; thus, the charge transfer resistance values for polygonal ferrite and martensite are lower.

MODELING OF AUSTENITE GRAIN SIZE IN LOW-ALLOY STEEL WELD METAL

The size of austenite grain has significant effects on components and proportions ofvarious ferrites in low-alloy steel weld metal. Therefore, it is important to determinethe size of austenite grain in the weld metal. In this paper, a model based upon thecarbon diffusion rate is developed for computing austenite grain size in low-alloy steelweld metal during continuous cooling. The model takes into account the effects of theweld thermal cycles, inclusion particles and various alloy elements on the austenitegrain growth. The calculating results agree reasonably with those reported experimentalobservations. The model demonstrates a significant promise to understand the weldmicrostructure and properties based on the welding science.

Effect of inter-critical quenching on mechanical properties of casting low-alloy steel

For some casting low-alloy steels,traditional quenching and tempering heat treatments can improve the strength;however,sometimes the ductility is not satisf ied.Therefore,some kind of effective heat treatment method seems necessary;one which could improve the ductility,but not seriously affect the strength.In this paper,the effect of inter-critical quenching(IQ)on the mechanical properties of casting low-alloy steel was studied.IQ was added between quenching and tempering heat treatment;and the microstructure and mechanical properties were compared to the same steel with the traditional quenching and tempering treatments.The experimental results show that the microstructure comprises small-size ferrite and martensite when the IQ is adopted;and that different temperatures can control the ferrite quantity and distribution,and,as a result,infl uence the mechanical properties.In the case of IQ,the tensile strength decreases just a little,but the ductility increases a lot;and the strength-ductility product(its value is the arithmetic product of elongation and tensile strength)increases by between 6%and 10%,which means the IQ heat treatment can improve comprehensive mechanical properties.

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.

Patenting of hot-rolled high-carbon steel and its applications

The patenting process of three hot-rolled steels with carbon mass contents of 0.70%-0. 90% was studied. The effect of the quenching temperature on the cementite lamellar distance in the steel was evaluated on the basis of microstructural characterization and mechanical property tests. The patenting treatment of high-carbon hot- rolled strip and its application in springs were discussed.

Effects of micro-parameter on solidification structure of ZG12MnMoV low-alloy steel based on CAFE model

Abstract： We mainly studied effects of nucleation parameters （ △Tv,max and △Ts,max ） and superheat on solidification structure of ZG12MnMoV low-alloy steel by integration of CAFE and experimentation. The result shows that grain dimension is not only related with nucleation parameters, but also with superheat. The smaller△Tv,max and △Ts,max get, the tinier grain turns. The lab experimentation on optimum parameter is conducted, the mean diameter of grain in lab test specimen is 153.2 lain, and the mean diameter calculated by CAFE model is 151.1 μm. The calculated solidification structure agrees with the experimental result in the main.

Investigation of longitudinal surface cracks in a continuous casting slab of high-carbon steel

Based on a series of related investigations, a mechanism for the formation of longitudinal surface cracks on a continuous casting slab of high-carbon steel was investigated. High-temperature tensile tests performed on slab samples,metallographic and scanning electron microscopy studies, as well as heat flux and shell thickness in continuous casting predicted on the basis of a mathematical model were conducted. The results showed that high- carbon steel exhibited a much lower liquidus temperature and a wider brittle temperature range immediately after solidification compared with those of low-carbon steel. Concentrations of elements K and Na, which are contained in the mold fluxes, were not observed in the cracks during this study. The calculated results showed that the heat flux and the shell thickness were uneven along the mold width and that the shell was thinner and close to the center line of the slab surface. The longitudinal cracks were observed in situ using confocal laser scanning microscopy, to first occur close to the solidification front,where the ductility was extremely low;in addition ,the shell growth was slower than in other regions, which led to a thinner shell and depressed shrinkage owing to a lack of lubrication by the mold fluxes below the meniscus. Furthermore, the pouring temperature of high-carbon steel is - 100 ~C lower than that of low-carbon steel,so the formation of a stable liquid flux near the meniscus within a short time at the beginning of casting is difficult. The amounts of liquid slag film and crystalline slag film were insufficient to provide adequate lubrication between the shell and the mold, which resulted in greater friction force that induced or aggravated cracks. Therefore, the homogeneity of mold fluxes and initial solidification in the mold should be improved to reduce the concentration of slab surface defects.

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.

Present situation and countermeasure of low-alloy spring steel wire rod for domestic automobile

The variety,inner quality and surface quality of low-alloy spring steel wire rod for domestic automobile is summarized in detail.And according to commercial low-alloy spring steel wire rod variety, product quality level and its actual application situation on automobile supplied by present industrially developed country metallurgy enterprises,it is pointed that the variety of low-alloy spring steel wire rod for domestic automobile can't satisfy the requirements of automobile industry development,compare with overseas advanced technology,product quality has the following gaps:the first is that steel purity is low,the control level of non-metallic inclusions is not steady,there is often large grain difficult deforming non-deformation inclusions existing,the control level of steel purity has big difference,the level of large steel factory is high,but its steady has a large gap compare with foreign advanced level,not to mention small steel factory which research and development powder is low.The second is surface complete decarburization can' t be avoided completely.The third is that surface defects are more.The fourth is that composition segregation and structure segregation are not steady,steel wire can't be drawn normally when the segregation is serious. In all,the segregation of 55SiCrA is superior to 60Si2MnA obviously.The industrialization of domestic high level low-alloy spring steel wire rod can't seek quick success and instant benefits,independent innovation perseveringly must be adopted,the success may be reached after master core technologies and adopt the science way of step by step.