Effect of Nb-V microalloying on the hot deformation behavior of medium Mn steels

The influence of Nb-V microalloying on the hot deformation behavior and microstructures of medium Mn steel(MMS)was investigated by uniaxial hot compression tests.By establishing the constitutive equations for simulating the measured flow curves,we successfully constructed deformation activation energy(Q)maps and processing maps for identifying the region of flow instability.We concluded the following consequences of Nb-V alloying for MMS.(i)The critical strain increases and the increment diminishes with the increasing deformation temperature,suggesting that NbC precipitates more efficiently retard dynamic recrystallization(DRX)in MMS compared with solute Nb.(ii)The deformation activation energy of MMS is significantly increased and even higher than that of some reported high Mn steels,suggesting that its ability to retard DRX is greater than that of the high Mn content.(iii)The hot workability of MMS is improved by narrowing the hot processing window for the unstable flow stress,in which fine recrystallized and coarse unrecrystallized grains are present.

Review of Sc microalloying effects in Al-Cu alloys

Artificially controlling the solid-state precipitation in aluminum (Al) alloys is an efficient way to achieve well-performed properties,and the microalloying strategy is the most frequently adopted method for such a purpose.In this paper,recent advances in lengthscale-dependent scandium (Sc) microalloying effects in Al-Cu model alloys are reviewed.In coarse-grained Al-Cu alloys,the Sc-aided Cu/Sc/vacancies complexes that act as heterogeneous nuclei and Sc segregation at the θ′-Al_(2)Cu/matrix interface that reduces interfacial energy contribute significantly to θ′precipitation.By grain size refinement to the fine/ultrafine-grained scale,the strongly bonded Cu/Sc/vacancies complexes inhibit Cu and vacancy diffusing toward grain boundaries,promoting the desired intragranular θ′precipitation.At nanocrystalline scale,the applied high strain producing high-density vacancies results in the formation of a large quantity of (Cu Sc,vacancy)-rich atomic complexes with high thermal stability,outstandingly improving the strength/ductility synergy and preventing the intractable low-temperature precipitation.This review recommends the use of microalloying technology to modify the precipitation behaviors toward better combined mechanical properties and thermal stability in Al alloys.

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.

Precipitation hardening behavior of dilute binary Al-Yb alloy

The precipitation hardening behavior in dilute Al-Yb alloys upon annealing at different temperatures was investigated to shed light on the mechanism of micro-alloying element in aluminum alloys. When aging at different temperatures, the samples showed their corresponding peak hardness in the range of 400-416 MPa due to the precipitation of Al3Yb with L 12 crystal structure. The coarsening kinetics of the Al3Yb precipitates obeyed the LSW theory, which indicated that the coarsening process was controlled by the diffusion of Yb. The coherence between Al3Yb particles and matrix was maintained until the particle size reached 11 nm. When the particle size increased to about 2 nm, the shearing mechanism started to change to Orowan mechanism.

IMPROVEMENT ON TENSILE PROPERTIES AND CREEP RESISTANCE OF Fe 3Al BASED ALLOYS

Effects of alloying processing on tensile test properties of Fe 3Al based alloys have been studied. Results show that microalloying of cerium is very effective on increasing the room temperature ductility of Fe 3Al based alloys. Surface analysis by XPS demonstrates that cerium addition causes the change in the oxide chemistry and provides rapid passivation of the specimen surface. The high temperature strength and creep resistance of Fe 3Al based alloys can be significantly enhanced by alloying additions of tungsten, niobium or molybdenum, especially when combined additions of tungsten with niobium or molybdenum are used. The additions of tungsten, niobium or molybdenum also result in the significant microstructural refinement and the formation of fine precipitates which are identified as M 6C type carbide in the alloys containing tungsten.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of the age hardened Mg-4.2Y-2.5Nd-1Gd-0.6Zr(WE43)microalloyed with Zn

The effect of trace addition of 0.2 wt.%Zn on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the age-hardening Mg-4.2Y-2.5Nd-1Gd-0.6Zr(wt.%)(WE43)alloy has been investigated.As compared with the WE43 alloy after solid solution treatment at 525 ℃,the block-like Zn-Zr phase was still observed in the WE43-0.2Zn alloy.However,the time for WE43-0.2Zn alloy to get peak hardness at 250 ℃ was two hours,a half earlier than that in WE43 alloy,meaning a accelerated age precipitation kinetics has been achieved due to the addition of 0.2 wt.%Zn.Microalloyed with 0.2 wt.%Zn enhanced the ultimate tensile strength(UTS)slightly and ductility significantly both in the solutionized and peak aged condition.The enhancement in strength and ductility is possible associated with the larger volume fraction of precipitation phases due to a reduction of the solubility of rare earth elements(RE)in theα-Mg matrix,the larger aspect ratio(length to width)of precipitates and a decrease in stacking fault energy by addition of Zn.

INVESTIGATION OF LOW CYCLE FATIGUE BEHAVIOROF BUILDING STRUCTURAL STEELS UNDEREARTHQUAKE LOADING

Based on the failure model of building structural steels under earthquake loading, the low cycle fatigue test at constant strain, the stochastical fatigue test under real earthquake load spectrum and the structural fatigue test are carried out. The experimental results show that microalloying of V Ti and Nb can improve the anti-seismic propersties of steel bars. In the high strain and shori life range, both the static strength and ductility of steels are very important to increasing the low cycle fatigue resistance of steels.

MICROSTRUCTURE AND INCLUSION CHARACTERIZATION IN THE SIMULATED COARSE-GRAIN HEAT AFFECTED ZONE WITH LARGE HEAT INPUT OF A Ti-Zr-MICROALLOYED HSLA STEEL

The microstructure and the characteristics of the inclusions embedded in ferrite matrix in simulated coarse-grain heat affected zone (CGHAZ) of a Ti-Zr-treated high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel have been investigated. The microstructure of the simulated CGHAZ dominantly consisted of intragranular acicular ferrite (IAF) combining with a small amount of polygonal ferrite (PF), widmanst tten ferrite (WF), bainite ferrite (BF), pearlite and martensite-austenite (M-A) islands. The PF, WF and BF were generally observed at the prior austenite grain boundaries and the interlocking acicular ferrite was usually found intragranularly. It was found that the inclusions were composed of Ti2O3, ZrO2, Al2O3 locating at the center of the particles and MnS lying on the surface layer of the inclusions. The intragranular complex inclusions promoted the acicular ferrite formation and the refinement of microstructure whilst those at prior austenite grain boundaries caused PF formation on the inclusions. The simulated CGHAZ consisting of such complicated microstructure exhibited desired mechanical properties.

Role of multi-microalloying by rare earth elements in ductilization of magnesium alloys

The present work investigates the influences of microalloying with rare earths on the mechanical properties of magnesium alloys.The amount of each rare earth element is controlled below 0.4 wt.%in order not to increase the cost of alloy largely.The synergic effects from the multi-microalloying with rare earths on the mechanical properties are explored.The obtained results show that the as-cast magnesium alloys multi-microalloying with rare earths possesses a quite high ductility with a tensile strain up to 25-30%at room temperature.Moreover,these alloys exhibit much better corrosion resistance than AZ31 alloy.The preliminary in situ neutron diffractions on the deformation of these alloys indicate that the multi-microalloying with rare earths seems to be beneficial for the activation of more slip systems.The deformation becomes more homogeneous and the resultant textures after deformation are weakened.

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.

Grain refinement in the coarse-grained region of the heat-affected zone in low-carbon high-strength microalloyed steels

The microstructural features and grain refinement in the coarse-grained region of the heat-affected zone in low-carbon high-strength microalloyed steels were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscattering dif- fraction. The coarse-grained region of the heat-affected zone consists of predominantly bainite and a small proportion of acicular ferrite. Bainite packets are separated by high angle boundaries. Acicular ferrite laths or plates in the coarse-grained region of the heat-affected zone formed prior to bainite packets partition austenite grains into many smaller and separate areas, resulting in fine-grained mixed microstruc- tures. Electron backscattefing diffraction analysis indicates that the average crystallographic grain size of the coarse-grained region of the heat-affected zone reaches 6-9 μm, much smaller than that of anstanite grains.

Tailoring the microstructural characteristic and improving the corrosion resistance of extruded dilute Mg-0.5Bi-0.5Sn alloy by microalloying with Mn

Mg-0.5Bi-0.5Sn alloys with and without microalloying with 0.5 wt%Mn were subjected to extrusion,and the effect of Mn microalloying on the microstructural characteristic and corrosion behavior of the extruded alloys was investigated.The results indicated that the average grain size and the density of dislocations decreased,and a new Mg_(26.67)Mn_(65.47)Fe_(7.86)second phase as well as grain boundary segregation of Sn atoms could be observed in certain micro-regions of the extruded dilute Mg-0.5Bi-0.5Sn-0.5 Mn alloy.The tailoring of microstructure resulted in the significant enhancement in corrosion resistance(R_(p)increased from 1095.91Ωcm^(2)to 5008.79Ωcm^(2)).In addition,grain boundary segregation resulted in intergranular corrosion and led to the dissolution of Sn atoms.Hence,the dissolution rate of the matrix in Mg-0.5Bi-0.5Sn-0.5Mn alloy could be inhibited by the corrosion product film containing an intermediate product(SnO_(2)).

Mechanical Properties of V-,Nb-,and Ti-bearing As-cast Microalloyed Steels

The influence of microalloying additions on the mechanical properties of a low-carbon cast steel containing combinations of V, Nb, and Ti in the as-cast condition was evaluated. Tensile and hardness test results indicated that good combinations of strength and ductility could be achieved by V and Nb additions. While the yield strength and UTS （ultimate tensile strength） increased up to the range of 378-435 MPa and 579- 590 MPa, respectively in the microalloyed heats, their total elongation ranged from 18% to 23%. The presence of Ti, however, led to some reduction in the strength. Microstructural studies including scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and optical microscopy revealed that coarse TiN particles were responsible for this behavior. The Charpy impact values of all compositions indicated that microalloying additions significantly decreased the impact energy and led to the dominance of cleavage facets on the fracture surfaces. It seems that the increase in the hardness of coarse ferrite grains due to the precipitation hardening is the main reason for brittle fracture.

Titanium microalloying of steel:A review of its effects on processing,microstructure and mechanical properties

Carbon neutrality of the steel industry requires the development of high-strength steel.The mechanical properties of low-alloy steel can be considerably improved at a low cost by adding a small amount of titanium(Ti)element,namely Ti microalloying,whose performance is related to Ti-contained second phase particles including inclusions and precipitates.By proper controlling the precipitation behaviors of these particles during different stages of steel manufacture,fine-grained microstructure and strong precipitation strengthening effects can be obtained in low-alloy steel.Thus,Ti microalloying can be widely applied to produce high strength steel,which can replace low strength steels heavily used in various areas currently.This article reviews the characteristics of the chemical and physical metallurgies of Ti microalloying and the effects of Ti microalloying on the phase formation,microstructural evolution,precipitation behavior of low-carbon steel during the steel making process,especially the thin slab casting and continuous rolling process and the mechanical properties of final steel products.Future development of Ti microalloying is also proposed to further promote the application of Ti microalloying technology in steel to meet the requirement of low-carbon economy.

Stability of Ultra-fine Microstructures during Tempering

The stability of ultra-fine microstructure during tempering at 650 degreesC was investigated on a Nb-containing steel. The steel had undergone 5 passes controlled rolling, then was relaxed lair cooled) to 730 degreesC: and cooled in water. The evolution of microstructure was that, in early stage of tempering, no obvious change was detected by means of optical microscopy while dislocation cells were formed inside bainitic laths. With further tempering, bainitic laths started to coalesce in some regions. Finally, polygonal ferrite was formed while hardness decreased dramatically. Some samples taken from the same primary plate were reheated at 930 degreesC for 0.5 h followed by quenching into water before tempering. Despite their lower original hardness, the reheated samples softened Faster during tempering. Ferrite was quickly formed in the reheated samples. These results indicate that the evolution of microstructures towards equilibrium during tempering of the steel is mainly determined by whether dislocations are pinned rather than the dislocation density.

Effect of V and V-N Microalloying on Deformation-Induced Ferrite Transformation in Low Carbon Steels

Deformation-induced ferrite transformation （DIFT） has been proved to be an effective approach to refine ferrite grains. This paper shows that the ferrite grains can further be refined through combination of DIFT and V or V-N microalloying. Vanadium dissolved in γ matrix restrains DIFT. During deformation, vanadium carbonitrides rapidly precipitate due to strain-induced precipitation, which causes decrease in vanadium dissolved in matrix and indirectly accelerates DIFT. Under heavy deformation, deformation induced ferrite （DIF） grains in V microalloyed steel were finer than those in V free steel. The more V added to steel, the finer DIF grains obtained. Moreover, the addition of N to V microalloyed steels can remarkably accelerate precipitation of V, and then promote DIFT. However, DIF grains in V-N microalloyed steel easily coarsen.

Properties and homogeneity of 550-MPa grade TMCP steel for ship hull

Ultra low carbon steels by the thermal mechanical control process（TMCP） with less Ni,Cr,and Mo contents have been developed for 550 MPa grade heavy gauge ship hulls and offshore structures.The relationships among microstructures,process,and properties of the studied steel have been investigated.A series of accurate control technologies have been developed for this kind of steel.Cu microalloying and TMCP＋relaxation precipitation control（RPC）＋accelerated cooling process were employed to optimize the mechanical properties and ensure the homogeneity of the 80-mm thick plate.The microstructures of thin plates slightly changed from surface to center,but the micro-structures of the heavy gauge plate（80 mm） changed notably.Adopting the simple composition,it can meet the requirement of thin plates by adopting a few microalloys.As for thick plates（80 mm）,a little higher Cu and Ni contents should be adopted.These steels can meet the needs without tempering.By these ways,the properties of the steels can be optimized,and the cost can be decreased notably.

Kinetics of bainite-to-austenite transformation during continuous reheating in low carbon microalloyed steel

A dilatometer was used to study the kinetics of bainite-to-austenite transformation in low carbon microalloyed steel with the initial microstructure of bainite during the continuous reheating process. The bainite-to-austenite trans- formation was observed to take place in two steps at low heating rate. The first step is the dissolution of bainite, and the second one is the remaining bainite-to-austenite transformation controlled by a dissolution process. The calculation result of the kinetics of austenite formation shows that the two steps occur by diffusion at low heating rate. However, at high heating rate the bainite-to-austenite transformation occurs in a single step, and the process is mainly dominated by shear. The growth rate of austenite reaches the maximum at about 835℃ at different heating rates and the growth rate of austenite as a function of temperature increases with the increase in heating rate.

A comparison study of Ce/La and Ca microalloying on the bio-corrosion behaviors of extruded Mg-Zn alloys

The influences of Ca and Ce/La microalloying on the microstructure evolution and bio-corrosion resistances of extruded Mg-Zn alloys have been systematically investigated in the current study.Compared with single Ca or Ce/La addition,the Ca-Ce/La cooperative microalloying results in an outstanding grain refinement,because the fine secondary phase particles effectively hinder the recrystallized grain growth.The coarse Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases promote the formation of Ca3(PO4)2 or hydroxyapatite particles during the immersion process and accelerate the dissolution of the corrosion product film,which destroys its integrity and results in the deterioration of anti-corrosive performance.The Ce/La elements can be dispersed within the conventional Mg7Zn3 phases,which reduce the internal galvanic corrosion between Mg matrix and the secondary phases,leading to an obvious improvement of corrosion resistance.Therefore,the Ca-Ce/La cooperative microalloying achieves a homogenous fine-grained microstructure and improves the protective ability of surface film,which will pave a new avenue for the design of biomedical Mg alloys in the coming future.

Role of yttrium in glass formation of Ti-based bulk metallic glasses

Starting with Zr of two different purities, Ti-based bulk metallic glasses （BMGs） with a nominal composition of Ti40Zr25Cu12Ni3Be20 were prepared. The effect of the addition of yttrium at levels of 0.2 at.%, 0.4 at.%, 0.5 at.%, 0.6 at.%, and 1 at.% on the glass forming ability （GFA） of the alloy has been investigated by means of metallography, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Experimental data in-dicates that high impurity content dramatically reduces the glass forming ability. Microalloying with 0.5 at.% Y is effective in suppressing the crystalline phase formation and alleviating the detrimental effect of oxygen in the low-purity alloy. On the contrary, in the alloy contain-ing high-purity element, the effective yttrium addition is less than 0.4 at.%. The results indicate that the beneficial effect of the optimum dopants is mainly due to scavenging the oxygen impurity via the formation of innocuous phase.