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.

Recent progress in visualization and digitization of coherent transformation structures and application in high-strength steel

High-strength steels are mainly composed of medium-or low-temperature microstructures,such as bainite or martensite,with coherent transformation characteristics.This type of microstructure has a high density of dislocations and fine crystallographic structural units,which ease the coordinated matching of high strength,toughness,and plasticity.Meanwhile,given its excellent welding perform-ance,high-strength steel has been widely used in major engineering constructions,such as pipelines,ships,and bridges.However,visual-ization and digitization of the effective units of these coherent transformation structures using traditional methods(optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy)is difficult due to their complex morphology.Moreover,the establishment of quantitative relationships with macroscopic mechanical properties and key process parameters presents additional difficulty.This article reviews the latest progress in microstructural visualization and digitization of high-strength steel,with a focus on the application of crystallographic methods in the development of high-strength steel plates and welding.We obtained the crystallographic data(Euler angle)of the transformed microstruc-tures through electron back-scattering diffraction and combined them with the calculation of inverse transformation from bainite or martensite to austenite to determine the reconstruction of high-temperature parent austenite and orientation relationship(OR)during con-tinuous cooling transformation.Furthermore,visualization of crystallographic packets,blocks,and variants based on actual OR and digit-ization of various grain boundaries can be effectively completed to establish quantitative relationships with alloy composition and key process parameters,thereby providing reverse design guidance for the development of high-strength steel.

Determination of Physical, Mechanical and Fire Retardancy Properties of Innovative Particleboard Made from Corn Stalk (Zea mays L.) Particles

The demand for particleboard is increasing along with economic and population growth.However,two major barriers to the manufacture of particleboard are a shortage of raw materials(woodchips)and the emission of formaldehyde from conventional adhesives.Agricultural by-products such as corn stalks contain an abundance of renewable lignocellulosic fiber.This study evaluates the effect of citric acid as a natural adhesive and fire retardant addition on the physical,mechanical,and fire retardancy properties of particleboards fabricated from corn stalks.A cost-effective and inorganic salt,calcium carbonate,was tested to enhance the fire retardancy.Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate was also considered as a comparative control.Particleboards with the addition of calcium carbonate was pretreated with sodium chloride.The particleboards were pressed for 10 min at 200℃.Japanese Industrial Standard JIS A 5908:2022 was used as the benchmark for the physical and mechanical tests.Fire retardancy was dynamically tested by simulating a Bushfire Attack Level of 19 kW/m^(2).The particleboard with 25 wt%citric acid had superior mechanical properties and complied with the JIS A 5908 standard for Type 13 base particleboard.Particleboard with the addition of calcium carbonate(5%and 10%)showed significantly delayed pyrolysis time.

Deep decalcification of factory-provided freezing acidolysis solution to achieveα-high-strength gypsum

The freezing acidolysis solution of the nitric acid-phosphate fertilizer process has a high calcium content,which makes it difficult to produce fine phosphate and high water-soluble phosphate fertilizer products.Here,based on the potential crystallization principle of calcium sulfate in NH_(4)NO_(3)-H_(3)PO_(4)-H_(2)O,the deep decalcification(i.e.calcium removal)technology to achieveα-high-strength gypsum originated from freezing acidolysis-solutions has been firstly proposed and investigated.Typically,calcium can be removed from the factory-provided freezing acidolysis-solution by neutralizing it with ammonia,followed by the addition of ammonium sulfate solution.As a result,the formation of calcium sulfate in the reaction system undergoes the nucleation and growth of CaSO_(4)·2H_(2)O(DH),as well as its dissolution and crystallization into short columnarα-CaSO_(4)·0.5H_(2)O(α-HH).Remarkably,with the molar ratio of SO_(4)^(2-)/Ca^(2+)at 1.8,the degree of neutralization(NH_(3)/HNO_(3) molar ratio)at 1.7,the reaction temperature of 94℃,and the reaction time of 300 min,the decalcification rate can reach 86.89%,of which the high-strengthα-CaSO_(4)·0.5H_(2)O(α-HH)will be obtained.Noteworthy,the deep decalcification product meets the standards for the production of fine phosphates and highly water-soluble phosphate fertilizers.Consequently,the 2 h flexural strength ofα-HH is 5.3 MPa and the dry compressive strength is 36.8 MPa,which is up to the standard of commercialα-HH.

Properties of Bark Particleboard Bonded with Demethylated Lignin Adhesives Derived from Leucaena leucocephala Bark

Lignin extraction from bark can maximize the utilization of biomass waste,offer cost-effectiveness,and promote environmental friendliness when employed as an adhesive material in bark particleboard production.Particles of fine(0.2 to 1.0 mm),medium(1.0 to 2.5 mm),and coarse(2.5 to 12.0 mm)sizes,derived from the bark of Leucaena leucocephala,were hot-pressed using a heating plate at 175℃for 7 min to create single-layer particleboards measuring 320 mm×320 mm×10 mm,targeting a density of 700 kg/m^(3).Subsequently,the samples were trimmed and conditioned at 20℃and 65%relative humidity.In this study,we compared bark particleboard bonded with urea formaldehyde(UF)adhesive to fine-sized particleboard bonded with demethylated lignin adhesive.The results indicated that bark particleboards utilizing demethylated lignin and UF adhesives exhibited similar qualities.Coarse particleboard showed differences in modulus of elasticity(MOE)and modulus of rupture(MOR),while medium-sized particles exhibited significant variations in moisture content(MC)and water absorption(WA).Furthermore,the thickness swelling of coarse and medium-sized particles under wet and oven-dried conditions exhibited notable distinctions.Overall,the demethylated lignin adhesive extracted from L.leucocephala bark demonstrated similar quality to UF adhesive,with particle size correlating inversely to the strength of the bark particleboard.

Thermo-Mechanical, Physico-Chemical, Morphological, and Fire Characteristics of Eco-Friendly Particleboard Manufactured with Phosphorylated Lignin Addition

Lignin,lignosulfonate,and synthesized phosphorylated lignosulfonate were introduced as greenfillers in citric acid-sucrose adhesives for bonding particleboard fabricated from areca leaf sheath(ALS).The characteristics of particleboards were compared to that of ultralow emitting formaldehyde(ULEF-UF).Thefillers derived from Eucalyptus spp.kraft-lignin were added forflame retardancy enhancement.10%of each lignin and modified lig-nin was added into the ULEF-UF and citric acid-sucrose bonded particleboards.Analyses applied to particle-boards included thermal characteristics,X-ray diffraction analysis(XRD),morphological properties,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),as well as physical,mechanical,andfire resistance characteristics of the laboratory-fabricated particleboards.Lignin and modified lignin resulted in improved thermal stability of the composites bonded with ULEF-UF while the improvement in the particleboard bonded with citric acid-sucrose was not significant.The introduction offiller exerted a higher influence on the UF-bonded particleboards compared to composites fabricated with citric acid-sucrose.Generally,the presence of lignin,lignosulfonate,and phosphorylated lignosulfonate enhanced the mechanical strength of the ULEF-bonded particleboards,although their dimensional stability has deteriorated.Markedly,the use of lignin and lignosulfonate enhanced thefire resis-tance of the particleboards produced with lower observed weight loss.All laboratory particleboards exhibited satisfactoryfire resistance,attaining a V-0 rating in according to the UL-94 standard.

Study on Fracture Delay of High-Strength Bolts in Road Bridge Maintenance

In the maintenance work of highway and bridge engineering structures,the fracture delay of high-strength bolts is a content that needs to be focused on and researched.Based on this,the paper analyzes the fracture delay of high-strength bolts in highway bridge maintenance,including an overview of the fundamental research on fracture delay and related specific studies.It is hoped that this study can provide scientific reference for the reasonable maintenance of high-strength bolts,so as to ensure the overall maintenance effect of highway bridge projects.

Mechanical properties of calcium carbonate whisker-reinforced high-strength cement mortar

In order to improve the brittleness of high-strength cement mortar,calcium carbonate（CaCO3） whiskers are incorporated to strengthen and toughen the high-strength cement mortar.The compressive strength,flexural strength,split tensile strength and work of fracture are measured.Microstructures and micromechanical behaviors are investigated using scanning electron microscopy.The strengthening and toughening mechanisms and the efficiency of whisker-reinforced high-strength cement mortar are discussed.The results show that the addition of CaCO3 whiskers brings positive effects on the high-strength cement mortar.The strengthening and toughening mechanisms are whisker-cement coalition debonding,whisker peeling,whisker impact breakage and whisker bridging.Crack deflection is one efficient mechanism,but it is hard to be achieved in high-strength cement mortar.And the interfacial bonding strength between whiskers and the cement mortar matrix should be appropriately weak to introduce more crack deflection mechanisms to strengthen and toughen the cement mortar efficiently.

Effect of geometrical parameters on forming quality of high-strength TA18 titanium alloy tube in numerical control bending

The forming quality of high-strength TA18 titanium alloy tube during numerical control bending in changing bending angle β, relative bending radius R/D and tube sizes such as diameter D and wall thickness t was clarified by finite element simulation. The results show that the distribution of wall thickness change ratio Δt and cross section deformation ratio ΔD are very similar under different β; the Δt and ΔD decrease with the increase of R/D, and to obtain the qualified bent tube, the R/D must be greater than 2.0; the wall thinning ratio Δto slightly increases with larger D and t, while the wall thickening ratio Δti and ΔD increase with the larger D and smaller t; the Δto and ΔD firstly decrease and then increase, while the Δti increases, for the same D/t with the increase of D and t.

Cement-bonded particleboard with a mixture of wheat straw and poplar wood

We investigated the hydration behavior and some physical/mechanical properties of cement-bonded particleboard （CBPB） containing particles of wheat straw and poplar wood at various usage ratios and bonded with Portland cement mixed with different levels of inorganic additives. We determined the setting time and compression strength of cement pastes containing different additives and particles, and studied the effects of these additives and particles on thickness swelling, internal bond strength and modulus of rupture of CBPB by using RSM （Response Surface Methodology）. The mathematical model equations （second-order response functions） were derived to optimize properties of CBPB by computer simulation programming. Predicted values were in agreement with experimental values （R2 values of 0.93, 0.96 and 0.96 for TS, IB and MOR, respectively）. RSM can be efficiently applied to model panel properties. The variables can affect the properties of panels. The cement composites with bending strength 〉 12.5 MPa and internal bond strength 〉 0.28 MPa can be made by using wheat straw as a reinforcing material. Straw particle usage up to 11.5% in the mixture satisfies the minimum requirements of International Standard, EN 312 （2003） for IB and MOR. The dose of 4.95% calcium chloride, by weight of cement, can improve mechanical properties of the panels at the minimum requirement of EN 312. By increasing straw content from 0 to 30%, TS was reduced by increasing straw particle usage up to 1.5% and with 5.54% calcium chloride in the mixture, TS satisfied the EN 312 standard.

Biological performance of particleboard incorporated with boron minerals

We compared resistance to decay, mold fungi, termites and insect larvae of particleboards incorporated with the raw boron minerals ulexite and colemanite to that of particleboards impregnated with the commercial boron preservative zinc borate, or boric acid plus a borax mixture. We also quantified water absorption, thickness swell and boron release of particleboards. Ulexite had the best decay resistance, and colemanite had the best termite resistance. However, ulexite and colemanite were not as effective as zinc borate or the boric acid/borax mixture in preventing mold growth. In general, the boric acid/borax mixture combination was more effective against Anobium larvae than the other treatments. Less boron was released by specimens containing zinc borate and colemanite than by those containing ulexite or the boric acid/borax mixture. In general, water absorption and thickness swell were similar among the different treatments, but both were slightly higher in the ulexite-incorporated specimens. Further mechanical tests will be needed to evaluate the particle- board properties and thereby the compatibility of these boron minerals with various manufacturing processes.

Preparation and properties of waste tea leaves particleboard

Urea-formaldehyde （UF） adhesive is the main source of formaldehyde emission from UF-bonded boards. The components in waste tea leaves can react with formaldehyde to serve as a raw material in the production of low formaldehyde emission boards. In our study, waste tea leaves and UF adhesive were employed in the preparation of waste tea leaves particleboard （WTLB）. An orthogonal experimental method was applied to investigate the effects of process parameters on formaldehyde emission and mechanical properties of WTLB. The results indicated that： 1） waste tea leaves had the ability to abate formaldehyde emission from boards; and 2） density of the WTLB was a significant factor affecting its modulus of rupture （MOR）, modulus of elasticity （MOE） and internal bonding （IB）.

Use of amino silane coupling agent to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.) poplar wood particleboard

We evaluated the potential use of amino silane coupling agent （SiNH） to improve physical and mechanical properties of UF-bonded wheat straw （Triticurn aestivum L.） poplar wood particleboard. We examined the effects of varied content of silane coupling agent content and ratios of straw to poplar wood particles on particleboard prop- erties. The ratios of straw to poplar wood particles were 100：0, 85：15, 70：30 and 55：45. Silane coupling agent content was tested at three levels, 0, 5 and 10 %. The experimental panels were tested for their mechanical strength, including modulus of elasticity （MOE）, modulus of rupture （MOR）, intemal bonding （IB） and physical properties according to procedures specified in DIN 68763 （Chipboard for special purposes in building construction： concepts, requirements, testing, 1982-03, 1982）. All board properties were improved by the addition of silane cou- pling agent. The use of poplar wood particles had a positive effect on the mechanical properties of wheat straw parti- cleboard but had a negative effect on physical properties （thickness swelling and water absorption）.

Observation and Analysis of Gypsum Particleboard using SEM

The microstructures of gypsum board and gypsum particleboard were observed by SEM. The effects of retarder and waterproof agent on the shape and the average dimension of the gypsum crystal were discussed. The mechanism was investigated as well. Four typical instances, i e, the gypsum crystal shape, the gypsum combined with particles on the particles surface, the gypsum combined with particles on the wood cross section and the gypsum combined with particles inside the wood cell cavity were selected and observed. Furthermore, the agglomeration and cementation mechanism between gypsum and particle were studied.

Gypsum-bonded particleboard manufactured from agricultural based material

Gypsum-bonded particleboard(GBPB) panels were made from various mixtures of particles of bagasse(Saccharum officinarum L.) and wheat straw(Triticum aestivum L.), bonded with different ratios of particle/gypsum. This study examined the feasibility of bagasse and wheat straw particles in the production of GBPB. One-layer experimental GBPBs with a density of 1.05 or 1.20 g·cm 3were manufactured at different ratios of bagasse/wheat straw, i.e., 100%/0%, 93.75%/6.25%, 87.5%/12.5%, 75%/25%, 50%/50%, 25%/75% and 0%/100% using two particle/ gypsum composite ratios, i.e., 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 by weight. Thickness swelling(TS), water absorption(WA), modulus of rupture(MOR), modulus of elasticity(MOE) and internal bond strength(IB) properties of the boards were evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed in order to examine the possible feasibility of these agricultural residues for use in commercial GBPB manufacturing. We determined that WA of panels decreases as the amount of straw increases to 100% and the LR/G(wood/gypsum) ratio decreases to 1/3.25, whereas the TS of panels decreases as the proportion of straw decreases to 0% and the LR/G ratio increases to 1/2.75. The experimental results also show that the MOR and MOE of panels containing 0%, 6.25% and 12.5% wheat straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/2.75 were higher than those of panels made from 25%–100% wheat straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/2.75, as well as those from all other percentages of straw with a LR/G ratio of 1/3.25. On the other hand, the IB of panels containing more than 12.5% straw with LR/G ratios of 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 were lower than those of panels made from 0–12.5% straw also with both LR/G ratios. Panels consisting of 0%, 6.25% and 12.5% wheat straw with LR/G ratios of 1/2.75 and 1/3.25 met the minimum EN standard requirements of mechanical properties for general purposes. All of the panels containing 0–100% wheat straw with a LR/ G ratio of 1/2.75 or 1/3.25 met the required level of TS for 24-h immersion.

In-depth analysis of the fatigue mechanism induced by inclusions for high-strength bearing steels

A numerical study of stress distribution and fatigue behavior in terms of the effect of voids adjacent to inclusions was conducted with finite element modeling simulations under different assumptions.Fatigue mechanisms were also analyzed accordingly.The results showed that the effects of inclusions on fatigue life will distinctly decrease if the mechanical properties are close to those of the steel matrix.For the inclusions,which are tightly bonded with the steel matrix,when the Young’s modulus is larger than that of the steel matrix,the stress will concentrate inside the inclusion;otherwise,the stress will concentrate in the steel matrix.If voids exist on the interface between inclusions and the steel matrix,their effects on the fatigue process differ with their positions relative to the inclusions.The void on one side of an inclusion perpendicular to the fatigue loading direction will aggravate the effect of inclusions on fatigue behavior and lead to a sharp stress concentration.The void on the top of inclusion along the fatigue loading direction will accelerate the debonding between the inclusion and steel matrix.

Corrosion behavior of high-strength spring steel for high-speed railway

The corrosion resistance and evolution of corrosion products in medium-carbon high-strength spring steels were investigated in a neutral salt spray(5 wt% Na Cl solution). A formation model of γ-Fe OOH and a transformation model describing the conversion of γ-Fe OOH to α-Fe OOH were constructed. The results indicated that, at the initial corrosion stage, the corrosion resistance was gradually improved with the addition of Cr; however, with the addition of alloying element V, the corrosion resistance decreased. These results were attributed mainly to the initial corrosion stage being closely related to the matrix microstructure parameters such as grain-boundary character and dislocation density. After the rust layer was formed at a later corrosion stage, the corrosion resistance was reinforced with the addition of Cr and V because Cr strongly influenced the composition, structure, and morphology of the corrosion products. The results presented herein show that Cr was conducive to the transformation of γ-Fe OOH into α-Fe OOH. Moreover, V and Cr exhibited obvious synergy and were enriched in the inner layer of the corrosion products.

The effect of urea pretreatment on the formaldehyde emission and properties of straw particleboard

For manufacturing low-formaldehyde emission particleboard from wheat straw and urea-formaldehyde （UF） resins using urea treatment for indoor environments, we investigated the influence of urea treatment on the formaldehyde emission, physical and mechanical properties of the manufactured particleboard. Wheat straws were treated at three levels of urea concentration （5%, 10%, 15%） and 95℃ as holding temperature. Wheat straw particleboards were manufactured using hot press at 180℃ and 3 MPa with two types of UF adhesive （UF-45, UF-91）. Then the formaldehyde emission values, physical properties and mechanical properties were considered. The results show that the for- maldehyde emission value was decreased by increasing urea concentration. Furthermore, the results indicate that the specimens under urea treatment have better mechanical and physical properties compared with control specimens. Also specimens under urea treatment at 10% concentration and UF-91 type adhesive have the most optimum physical and mechanical strength.

Influence of pre-stretching on quench sensitive effect of high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy sheet

The influence of pre-stretching on quench sensitive effect of high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr alloy AA 7085 sheet was investigated by tensile testing at room temperature,transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).The water-cooled and aged alloy exhibits higher strength than the air-cooled and aged alloy;2.5%pre-stretching of tensile deformation exerts little effect on strength of water-cooled and aged alloy but increases that of air-cooled and aged one,and therefore the yield strength reduction rate due to slow quenching decreases from about 3.8%to about 1.0%,reducing quench sensitive effect.For the air-cooled alloy,pre-stretching increases the sizes ofη'strengthening precipitates but also increases their quantity and the ratio of diameter to thickness,resulting in enhanced strengthening and higher strength after aging.The reason has been discussed based on microstructure examination by TEM and DSC.

Toughening mechanisms of a high-strength acicular ferrite steel heavy plate

An ultra-low carbon acicular ferrite steel heavy plate was obtained with an advanced thermo-mechanical control process-relaxed precipitation controlled transformation （TMCP-RPC） at Xiangtan Steel, Valin Group. The heavy plate has a tensile strength of approximately 600 MPa with a lower yield ratio. The impact toughness of the heavy plate achieves 280 J at ？40°C. The fine-grained mixed microstructures of the heavy plate mainly consist of acicular ferrite, granular bainite, and polygonal ferrite. The high strength and excellent toughness of the heavy plate are attributed to the formation of acicular ferrite microstructure. The prevention of blocks of martensite/retained austenite （M/A） and the higher cleanness are also responsible for the superior toughness.