Effect of nitrogen content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium-bearing nonquenched and tempered steel after hot forging

The microstructure and mechanical properties of titanium(Ti)-bearing medium-carbon nonquenched and tempered steel with different nitrogen content before and after hot forging were investigated through smelting,forging,and laboratory tests.The results show that the grain size of nonquenched and tempered steel was gradually refined,and the ferrite content gradually increased with an increase in nitrogen content.The grain size of the material with low nitrogen content increased abnormally,and its impact properties significantly decreased after hot forging.The grain size of nonquenched and tempered steel with higher nitrogen content was slightly larger than that before forging,and the tensile and yield strength increased,but the impact toughness was not significantly reduced.The Ti-bearing nonquenched and tempered steel showed better strength and toughness after hot forging with the addition of 0.010%0.015%nitrogen.

Rolling-contact-fatigue behavior in backup roll of 5% Cr forged steel

With a focus on the backup roll, a rolling-contact-fatigue experiment was performed on samples of 5% Cr forged steel. The P-S-N fatigue curves were determined and the fatigue strength was calculated. The emergence of cracks on the test-sample surfaces was observed at different fatigue cycles. A micro-hardness tester was used to measure the hardness of the subsurface fatigue layer. The microstructures were analyzed at various magnifications with an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Based on these tests, the rolling-contact-fatigue mechanism of the large forged steel backup roll was also considered. The results showed that the contact-fatigue strength of the tested backup roll steel was 1 249 MPa;the surface fatigue crack lengthened continuously as the number of cycles increased and followed an S-shaped curve; the subsurface fatigue hardness reached its highest value at about 90 （HV） increment from the matrix hardness of 540 （HV） in the backup roll; the subsurface martensite/bainite microstructure was crushed and the dislocation density was greatly increased. Under alternating contact stresses,the surface/subsurface material was damaged and exhibited many microdefects. At the least, the surface fatigue layer on backup rolls should be fully removed before the microcracks enter a period of rapid propagation.

MODELING OF MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION IN MICROALLOYED STEEL DURING HOT FORGING PROCESS

The microstractural evolution of microalloyed steel during hot forging process was investigated using physical simulation experiments. The dynamic recrystallized fraction was described by modifying Avrami＇s equation, the parameters of which were determined by single hit compression tests. Double hit compression tests were performed to model the equation describing the static recrystallized fraction, and the obtained predicted values were in good agreement with the measured values. Austenitic grain growth was modeled as： Dinc^5 = D0^5 ＋ 1.6 × 10^32t·exp （ -716870/RT ） using isothermal tests. Furthermore, an equation describing the dynamic recrystallized grain size was given as Ddyn=3771·Z^-0.2. The models of microstructural evolution could be applied to the numerical simulation of hot forging.

Medium-Mn steels for hot forming application in the automotive industry

Advanced high-strength steels have been widely used to improve the crashworthiness and lightweight of vehicles.Different from the popular cold stamping,hot forming of boron-alloyed manganese steels,such as 22MnB5,could produce ultra-high-strength steel parts without springback and with accurate control of dimensions.Moreover,hot-formed medium-Mn steels could have many advantages,including better mechanical properties and lower production cost,over hot-formed 22MnB5.This paper reviews the hot forming process in the automotive industry,hot-formed steel grades,and medium-Mn steel grades and their application in hot forming in depth.In particular,the adaptabilities of medium-Mn steels and the presently popular 22MnB5 into hot forming were compared thoroughly.Future research should focus on the technological issues encountered in hot forming of medium-Mn steels to promote their commercialization.

Tempering stability of Fe–Cr–Mo–W–V hot forging die steels

The tempering stability of three Fe–Cr–Mo–W–V hot forging die steels(DM, H21, and H13) was investigated through hardness measurements and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) observations. Both dilatometer tests and TEM observations revealed that DM steel has a higher tempering stability than H21 and H13 steels because of its substantial amount of M_2C(M represents metallic element) carbide precipitations. The activation energies of the M_2C carbide precipitation processes in DM, H21, and H13 steels are 236.4, 212.0, and 228.9 kJ/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the results indicated that vanadium atoms both increase the activation energy and affect the evolution of M_2C carbides, resulting in gradual dissolution rather than over-aging during tempering.

Controlled Rolling and Cooling Process for Low Carbon Cold Forging Steel

Effect of controlled rolling and cooling process on the mechanical properties of low carbon cold forging steel was investigated for different processing parameters of a laboratory hot rolling mill. The results show that the specimens with fast cooling after hot rolling exhibit very good mechanical properties, and the improvement of the mechanical properties can be attributed mainly to the ferrite-grain refinement. The mechanical properties increase with decreasing final cooling temperature within the range from 670 ℃ to 570 ℃ due to the finer interlamellar spacing of pearlite colony. The specimen with fast cooling after low temperature rolling shows the highest values of the mechanical properties. The effect of the ferrite grain size on the mechanical properties was greater than that of pearlite morphology in the present study. The mechanical properties of specimens by controlled rolling and cooling process without thermal treatment were greatly superior to that of the same specimens by the conventional rolling, and their tensile strength reached 490 MPa grade even in the case of low temperature rolling without controlled rolling. It might be expected to realize the substitution medium-carbon by low-carbon for 490 MPa grade cold forging steel with controlled rolling and cooling process.

Multiphase-field simulation of austenite reversion in medium-Mn steels

Medium-Mn steels have attracted immense attention for automotive applications owing to their outstanding combination of high strength and superior ductility.This steel class is generally characterized by an ultrafine-grained duplex microstructure consisting of ferrite and a large amount of austenite.Such a unique microstructure is processed by intercritical annealing,where austenite reversion occurs in a fine martensitic matrix.In the present study,austenite reversion in a medium-Mn alloy was simulated by the multiphase-field approach using the commercial software MICRESS®coupled with the thermodynamic database TCFE8 and the kinetic database MOBFE2.In particular,a faceted anisotropy model was incorporated to replicate the lamellar morphology of reversed austenite.The simulated microstructural morphology and phase transformation kinetics(indicated by the amount of phase)concurred well with experimental observations by scanning electron microscopy and in situ synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction,respectively.

Effect of Alloying Elements on Thermal Wear of Cast Hot-Forging Die Steels

The effect of main alloying elements on thermal wear of cast hot-forging die steels was studied. The wear mechanism was discussed. The results show that alloying elements have significant influences on the thermal wear of cast hot-forging die steels. The wear rates decrease with an increase in chromium content from 3% to 4% and molybdenum content from 2% to 3%, respectively. With further increase of chromium and molybdenum contents, chromium slightly reduces the wear resistance and molybdenum severely deteriorates the wear resistance with high wear rate. Lower vanadium/carbon ratio （1.5-2.5） leads to a lower wear resistance with higher wear rate. With an increase in vanadium/carbon ratio, the wear resistance of the cast steel substantially increases. When vanadium/carbon ratio is 3, the wear rate reaches the lowest value. The predominant mechanism of thermal wear of cast hot-forging die steels are oxidation wear and fatigue delamination. The Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 or lumps of brittle wear debris are formed on the wear surface.

Research on Thermal Wear of Cast Hot Forging Die Steel Modified by Rare Earths

Thermal wear of cast hot-forging die steel modified by rare earths（RE） was studied and compared with commercially used die steels. The function of RE and the mechanism of thermal wear of cast steel modified by RE were discussed. The results showed that with increasing content of RE, the wear rate of cast steel reduced at first and then increased. By adding 0.05% （mass fraction） RE, the cast hot-forging die steel with optimum thermal wear resistance was obtained, which was better than that of H13 and 3Cr2WSV. The large amount of coarse inclusions, （RE）2O2S, resulted from excessive RE, which obviously deteriorated thermal wear resistance. The mechanism of thermal wear of the modified cast die steel is oxidation wear and oxide fatigue delamination. The wear debris are lumps of Fe2O3 and Fe3O4.

Fatigue Behavior of Cemented Carbide Die in Cold Forging of Steel

The fatigue behavior of cemented carbide die under service load in the multistage cold forging of steel was investigated. It was found that the fatigue cracks do not initiate at the stress concentration position and the crack initiation position can be classified to three types. The crack initiation position can be predicted by FEM only when the plastic deformation of the die is considered.

Effects of Lanthanum on Mechanical Properties of 5CrNiMo Forging Die Steel

The alteration of the strength, hardness and impact ductility of 5CrNiMo steel using three different additions of RE La element is studied in this paper. The mechanical properties of 5CrNiMo steel with RE La additions are be compared with that of the 5CrNiMo steel on the same heat-treatment condition without RE La element addition. The results show that the strength, hardness and impact ductility of 5CrNiMo steel will be improved obviously when the content of RE La element is proper, and as the content of RE La element is 0.033%(mass fraction), the 5CrNiMo steel has the best mechanical properties.

NUMBER 3 RARE EARTH FACTORY OF BAOTOU IRON—STEEL AND RARE EARTH CORPORATION,FORGING AHEAD IN THE MARCH OF REFORM

The Baotou iron-Steel and Rare Earth Co. is located in Baotou of the AutonomousRegion of Inner Mongolia, where China has her largest mineral reserves of rare earths, par-ticularly that at Baiyunebo. The rare earth reserves in this region amount to as high as 80%of that of the whole Nation. The No. 3 Rare Earth Factory was established in 196l and itwas then a pilot plant of the Baotou Steel Works. In 1970 it was reconstructed as a formalplant. Now, it becomes one of the biggest rare earth production bases in China.

Determination and Analysis of Hardenability for Hot-Forging Die Steels with Deep-Hardening

ERH end-quenching method was used to determine the hardenability of four kinds hot-forging die steels with deep-hardening and hence the order of their hardenability was given.The tempering hardness of the steels was measured and the tempering resistance was studied.It was approved that ERH method is effective for the determination of hardenability of deep-hardening steel and the beginning of hardness drop in the ERH specimen is caused by bainite occurring.

近净成形快堆支承环用316H不锈钢锻件的晶粒度与力学性能

采用电渣重熔钢锭,经开坯锻造后,通过热挤压制备高品质坯料,随后在专用模具内进行胎模锻造成形,研制出国内首支外径15.5米、重量15吨的快堆支撑环1/6弧段316H不锈钢锻件,突破了超大规格快堆支撑环锻件制造技术瓶颈。结果表明:锻件各部位晶粒度、拉伸性能均匀一致且无各向异性,疲劳性能完全满足ASME设计曲线标准要求。所采用的近净成形制造工艺大大缩短了产品制造周期,提高了经济效益,实现了同类产品的国产化制造。

热处理工艺对锻造430F铁素体不锈钢组织和性能的影响

对轧制态430F铁素体不锈钢进行锻造及不同的锻后热处理工艺。通过对热处理后试验钢的金相组织、显微硬度、拉伸性能、断口分析等的研究探索了不同热处理工艺对锻后430F不锈钢组织与性能的影响。研究表明,430F不锈钢经锻造后进行850℃×4 h高温退火,随炉冷却到550℃出炉空冷,然后再进行350℃×10 h回火后炉冷,其组织由铁素体单相组成,基体内分布着大量细小且均匀的球状碳化物,沿晶界析出的σ相数量较少。试验钢的抗拉强度为516 MPa,硬度为181HV,伸长率达到29.9%,其断口表面存在数量较多、形态规整的韧窝,试验钢具有良好的塑性和韧性。

核级锻钢截止阀流通特性分析及结构优化

分析四种不同阀体流道结构的核级锻钢截止阀,依据伯努利方程和GB/T 30832标准,应用Flow-Simulation软件对其阀瓣在全开状态下进行流通特性的有限元分析,模拟流场云图,计算出阀门流阻系数和流量系数,分析不同流道结构对介质流动的影响,对比在相同状态下哪种结构形式的锻钢截止阀流阻系数最低。优化偏心型阀体流道结构,降低阀门两端压力损失,提升其流通性能,对核级锻钢截止阀的优化设计提供技术支持。

特大型锻钢件的热处理

特大型锻钢件是能源、冶金、石油化工等行业重型装备的关键基础零部件。其热处理则是其制造工程中难度最大、影响因素最为复杂和风险最高的环节。首次发布的GB/T 42537-2023《特大型锻钢件的热处理规范》规定了特大型锻钢件热处理的技术要求和工艺方法。

9Cr3W3Co耐热钢锻造工艺数值模拟及实验研究

通过Deform 3D模拟了9Cr3W3Co耐热钢连续多道次锻造工艺,分析了等效应力、等效应变场和温度场的分布规律。基于模拟结果,优化了锻造工艺,并通过Gleeble-3800热模拟试验机对9Cr3W3Co耐热钢进行不同变形参数多道次热压缩实验,分析了不同变形参数下的热变形行为,结合热模拟真应力-真应变曲线和显微组织,验证了模拟的准确性。结果表明,模拟后的优化锻造工艺为应变速率5 s^(-1),变形方式为先大变形后小变形,变形后的坯料心部温度分布均匀,为951~970℃,等效应变分布均匀,为2.15~2.19。当应变速率为5 s^(-1)时,动态再结晶晶粒尺寸随变形温度的升高而变大,采用先大压下量后小压下量的方式,可获得完全再结晶的等轴晶,平均晶粒尺寸为15μm,变形后组织均匀性更好。结合微观组织演变结果分析,模拟实验具有可行性,实验结果与模拟结果基本吻合。

6061铝合金自润滑热锻条件下工件和模具摩擦磨损特性

基于热锻条件,使用销-盘摩擦设备对6061热锻铝合金和H13钢基自润滑模具材料进行了高温对磨实验,通过电子探针和能谱仪分析了不同工况下工件和模具的磨损机理。结果表明,随着载荷的增加,工件和模具之间的摩擦因数与磨损率先降低后升高;随着转速的增加,工件和模具之间的摩擦因数增大,磨损率呈倍数增加;当载荷为12 N、转速为100 r·min^(-1)时,工件和模具之间的摩擦因数最小,其值为0.416,磨损率仅为24.591 mm 3·N^(-1)·m^(-1);随着转速和载荷的增加,工件和模具之间的粘着磨损加重并且逐渐出现磨粒磨损和氧化磨损。