Optimization of RPC technique for refining the intermediate transformation microstructure

The influence of processing parameters ofrelaxation-precipitation-controlling phase transformation (RPC) technique, finish rollingtemperature, reduction ratio and relaxing time on the microstructure was studied bythermo-simulation for a low carbon Nb and Ti containing micro-alloyed steel. The microstructure wasinvestigated by optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and electron back scatterdiffraction (EBSD). The statistical results of the packet size were calculated. It shows that, afterRPC process, the steel is a composite microstructure of bainite and matensite. The bestthermo-simulation process for refinement in this experiment is deformation for 30 percent at 850 degC, and then relaxing at this temperature for 60 s to 200 s. Increasing the reduction ratio from 30percent to 60 or decreasing the deformation temperature to 800 deg C would cause the best relaxationtime to become shorter, increasing the deformation temperature to 900 deg C would cause therefinement effect to be weak.

Quantitative analysis on strengthening mechanism of ultra-thin hot strip of low carbon steel produced by CSP technique

Based on experimental data of positron annihilation technology, electrolyticdissolution technique, electron back-scattered pattern, etc. and by analysis the strengtheningfactors, the strengthening mechanism of ultra-thin hot strip of low carbon steel produced by CSP(Compact Strip Production) technique was investigated. The value of each strengthening mechanism andits contribution percentage to yield strength were achieved. The results show that refinementstrengthening is the predominant strengthening mode; precipitation strengthening and dislocationstrengthening are second to it, their contributions to yield strength are almost equal.

Effects of rare earth elements on the microstructure and properties of magnesium alloy AZ91D

The effects of rare earth elements on the microstructure andproperties of magnesium alloy AZ91D alloy were studied. The differentproportion of rare earth elements was added to the AZ91D and thetensile tests were carried out at different temperatures. Theexperimental results show that at room temperature or at 120 deg. Cthe AZ91D's strength decrease with the increasing amount of the rareearth elements. However, the ductility is improved. The influence of0.14/100Sb(mass fraction)on the AZ91D's strength is like that of rareearth elements(0.2/100-0.4/100)(mass fraction). Microstructure graphsdemonstrate that appropriate amount of rare earth elements(0.1/100-0.2/100)can fine AZ91D's grain and improve its ductility.

Martensite transformation induced by deformation and its phase electrochemical behavior for stainless steels AISI 304 and 316L

The martensite transformation induced by tensile elongation and its effect onthe behavior of phase electrochemistry of AISI 304 and 316L in 3.5% NaCl solution were studied. Theresults show that the content of α′-martensite in stainless steel 304 increases with the truestrain. As α′-martensite content increased, free corrosion potential and pitting potential ofstainless steel 304 in 3.5% NaCl solution appeared the change trend of a minimum. It was also foundthat pitting nucleated preferentially at the phase interfaces between martensite and austenite.There existed apparent difference between electrochemical properties of austenite and of martensitefor stainless steel 304 and 316L in 3.5% NaCl solution.

Lubrication in strip cold rolling process

A lubrication model was developed for explaining how to form an oil film inthe deformation zone, predicting the film thickness and determining the characteristics oflubrication in the strip rolling process, combined with the knowledge of hydrodynamic lubricationand rolling theories. Various mineral oils with viscosities from 0.032 to 1.6 Pa-s were used toobtain different film thicknesses in the strip cold rolling. Results from the experiment andcalculation show that the oil film forming in hydrodynamic lubrication is up to the bit angle and ahigher rolling speed or a higher rolling oil viscosity. The mechanism of mechanical entrainmentalways affects the film thickness that increases with the rolling oil viscosity increasing or thereduction rate decreasing in rolling.

Behavior of precipitation in bainitic steel during relaxation processing of RPC technique

Thermal simulation test, TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and nanobeamEDS (Energy Dispersed x-ray Spectrum) techniques were used to investigate the precipitation behaviorof Nb, Ti, Mo etc. in HSLA (High Strength Low Alloy) steel. The strain induced precipitationoccurred during the isothermal relaxation stage after deformed in the non-recrystallizationtemperature region. After 30% predeformation at 850 and 900℃, there are two kinds of particles,(Ti,Nb)(C,N) and a few Nb(C,N), to precipitate during holding. The content of Nb in particles riseswith the relaxation time increasing. During the final holding stage, some Nb and Ti atoms in thelattice sites of the precipitates would be replaced by Mo atoms, and the Mo content in theprecipitates increases with the relaxation time. The results were compared with the refinementeffect of microstructures caused by relaxation-precipitation controlling transformation (RPC)processing.

Precipitation behavior of B2-like particles in Fe-Cu binary alloy

The precipitation behavior in Fe-Cu binary allow was investigated undertransmission electron microscope (TEM) during aging at 650 deg C for the time range of 100 s to 300h. In addition to the zones with higher copper content and epsilon-Cu were observed, a metastablephase with B2-like structure was found in the early stage of the precipitation process, which isquite different from the equilibrium copper phase shown in the Fe-Cu binary phase diagram and hasperfect coherent relationship to the alpha-Fe matrix. The appearance of B2-like structure is veryimportant concerning the mechanism of aging strengthening effect and mechanical properties ofcorresponding engineering steels and alloys containing copper.

Fine grain tungsten produced with nanoscale powder

Nanoscale tungsten powder was prepared by reducing nanoscale tungsten trioxide in hydrogen to WO2.90 and further to W powder. After compacted with a rubber die, the nanoscale tungsten powder was sintered in a high-temperature dilatometer to investigate its shrinkage process. The results show that the compact of the nanoscale tungsten powder starts to shrink at 1050℃ and ends at 1500℃. The shrinkage rate reaches the maximum value at 1210℃8. The relative density of sintered samples is 96.4%, and its grain size is about 5.8 μm.

Study on M/A islands in pipeline steel X70

The fine structure of M/A islands in pipeline steel X70 has been studied by transmission electron microscope (TEM). It is shown that the M/A islands are about 1-2 μm in size and distribute at the grain boundary of irregular massive ferrite or acicular ferrite in the microstructure of the steel undergoing TMCP (thermo-mechanical controlled processing). The analysis of diffraction contrast shows that the M/A islands consist of retained austenite and some martensite lamellae different in size and orientation. The microt winning and midrib exist in the lamella of lenticular martensite, which exhibit the typical character of high-carbon martensite. The influences of TMCP parameters on M/A islands have been studied carefully. With the increase of the cooling speed, the amount of M/A islands decrease slightly and the morphology of M/A islands changes to thin dispersive short bars from thick irregular long strips.

Formation mechanism of Ti_5Si_3 powder by mechanical alloying

The formation mechanism of stoichiometry Ti_5Si_3 by mechanical alloying (MA)from elemental powders has been investigated. The results of XRD and SEM analyses of the powdershow that Ti_5Si_3 can be synthesized by MA in a planetary mill with two different formationmechanisms. Ti_5Si_3 was formed gradually with the mechanical collusion reaction (MCR) mechanismunder a lower impact energy, and the Ti_5Si_3 was formed abruptly with the self-propagatinghigh-temperature synthesis (SHS) formation mechanism under a higher impact energy.

Cellular automata modelling of austenite grain coarsening during reheating——I. Normal grain coarsening

A two-dimensional cellular automaton (CA) model has been developed for thedescription of the normal grain coarsening process. The probabilistic CA method incorporatingMoore's definition of the neighbourhood is used to simulate the normal grain coarsening process witha new transition rule. The model simulates the grain coarsening process in as much detail that ispossible, from the point of initial nucleation to subsequent coarsening with computational times.The unique result is that the grain coarsening speed can be controlled by the specific method, thisresult is vital to model the grain coarsening quantitatively. In order to make this model valid,experimental work has been done to provide solid evidence for this model. Comparison of themodelling result and the experimental result has been carried out.

Microstructure evolution and precipitation behavior of low carbon steel hot strips produced by CSP

The microstructures of low carbon steel before, during and after rollingdeformation of each stand were observed using optical microscope. The result showed that themicrostructures were very fine after six passes rolling deformation. The effect of the first standreduction on microstructure refinement was very distinct. During the rolling process, with theincrease of the accumulated strain, the microstructures would further refine, and the density ofdislocation would increase at the same time. In continuous casting thin slabs and each finishingstand, lots of observed precipitates were mainly A1_2O_3 and MnS along the grain boundaries or ingrains, which played an important role in the mechanical properties of the hot strips of low carbonsteel produced by CSP (compact strip production) technology.

Effect of ZrO_2 (9mol% Y_2O_3) coating thickness on the electronic conductivity of Mg-PSZ oxygen sensors

The ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating was prepared evenly on the surface of MgO partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) tube (oxygen sensor probe) by dipping the green Mg-PSZ tube in a ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) slurry and then co-firing at 1750°C for 8 h. The double-cell method was employed to measure the electronic conductivity parameter and exam the reproducibility of the coated Mg- PSZ tube. The experimental results indicate that the good thermal shock resistance of the Mg-PSZ tube can be retained when the coating thickness is not more than 3.4 μm. The ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating reduces the electronic conductivity parameter remarka- bly, probably due to the lower electronic conductivity of Y2O,-stabilized ZrO2 than that of MgO-stabilized ZrO2. Moreover, the ZrO2 (9mol% Y2O3) coating can improve the reproducibility and accuracy of the Mg-PSZ tube significantly in the low oxygen measure- ment. The smooth surface feature and lower electronic conductivity of the coated Mg-PSZ tube should be responsible for this im- provement.

Effects of gold plating on the resistance to high temperature discoloration of the cavity for ceramic packages

The effects of thickness and types of gold plating on the resistance to hightemperature discoloration of gold plating on cavity surface of ceramic package were investigated. Itwas found that the thicker gold plating, the less discoloration degree for ceramic packages.Non-cyanide gold plating performed better resistance to high-temperature aging than cyanide goldplating. The relationship between the gold plating thickness and the amount of diffused Ni to thegold plating of ceramic packages with Au/Ni and Au/Ni-Co platings after heating at 420℃ for 15 minwas also studied. When the gold plating thickness reach 2.0 μm and 1.6 μm for Au/Ni and Au/Ni-Coplating systems, respectively, no discoloration was observed on the gold plating surface of cavity,and the corresponding diffused Ni amounts (mass fraction) are 1.0% and 0.4%, while the diffused Coto the gold plating is 0.04%.

A new model for life prediction of GH4133 under TMF conditions

Thermal mechanical cyclic strain tests were carried out under in-phase andout-of-phase conditions on a Nickel-base Superalloy GH4133 in the temperature range of 571-823 degC. Based on analyzing the present models of TMF (thermal mechanical fatigue) life prediction, a newmodel for predicting nickel-base superalloy TMF lifetime was proposed. TMF life of superalloy GH4133was calculated accurately based on the new model. Experimental TMF life has been compared with thecalculated results and all results fall in the scatter band of 1.5. The calculating results showthat the new model is not only simple, but also precise. This model will play great roles as lifeprediction of the metal materials and the engineering components subjected to non-isothermal serviceconditions.

Combustion synthesis of radioactive waste immobilization

Using chromium oxide (CrO3) as an oxidant, the immobilization of simulating radioactive waste in perovskite (CaTiO3) structure by a combustion synthesis (CS) method was tested. The products were characterized by Archimedes liquid displacement technique, microhardness technique, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The leaching rate was measured by the method of MCC-1 or MCC-2. The primary results show that the CS method can be used to solidify the immobilizate waste effectively.

Microstructure and texture of electroformed copper liners of shaped charges

The microstructures of copper liners of shaped charges prepared byelectroforming technique were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Meanwhile, theorientations distributing of the grains in the electroformed copper liners of shaped charges wasexamined by the electron backscattering Kikuchi pattern (EBSP) technique. TEM observations haverevealed that these electroformed copper liners of shaped charges have the grain size of about 1-3mu m and the grains have a preferential orientation distribution along the growth direction. EBSPanalysis has demonstrated that the as-formed copper liners of shaped charges exhibit amicro-texture, i.e. one type of fiber texture, and the preferred growth direction is normal to thesurface of the liners.

Verification of topological relationship in 2-D grain growth process by simulation

Behaviors of the quasi-steady state grain size distribution and thecorresponding topological relationship were investigated using the Potts Monte Carlo method tosimulate the normal grain growth process. The observed quasi-steady state grain size distributioncan be well fit by the Weibull function rather than the Hillert distribution. It is also found thatthe grain size and average number of grain sides are not linearly related. The reason that thequasi-steady state grain size distribution deviates from the Hillert distribution may contribute tothe nonlinearity of the relation of the average number of grain sides with the grain size. Theresults also exhibit the reasonability of the relationship deduced by Mullins between the grain sizedistribution and the average number of grain sides.

Relativity between corrosion-induced stress and stress corrosion cracking of brass in an ammonia solution

The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of brass in an ammoniasolution with various pH values or under various applied potentials was measured at slow strain ratetests. The additive stress in the same solution was measured using two methods. The resultsindicate that the variation of the susceptibility to SCC with pH value or with potential is in anexcellent agreement with the corrosion (passive film or dezincification layer)-induced stress. WhenpH >= 7, the corrosion-induced tensile stress and the susceptibility to SCC have maximum values andhardly change with increasing the pH value. However, when pH <7, both the corrosion-induced tensilestress and the susceptibility to SCC reduce rapidly with decreasing the pH value. Both thecorrosion-induced tensile stress and the susceptibility to SCC have maximum values at theopen-circuit potential, decrease slightly under the anodic polarization, and reduce gradually tozero under the cathodic polarization.

Thermo-stability of ultra-fine non-equilibrium microstructures

The evolution of the microstructures and hardness of a bainitic plate steelduring tempering at 650 deg C has been investigated. The steel was manufactured by RFC(relaxation-precipitation controlling phase transformation) technique. A part of the plate wasreheated to 930 deg C and held for 1 h before quenched into water (RQ). No obvious change wasdetected by means of optical microscopy in the RFC steel tempering for 0.5 h, while dislocationcells were formed inside the bainite laths, accompanied by an obvious drop of hardness. The bainitelaths started to coalesce in some regions, but the sample hardness kept nearly constant duringtempering from 1 to 7 h. With further tempering, polygonal ferrite was formed in local regions whilethe hardness decreased dramatically. The RQ samples softened faster during tempering and finallytransformed into the polygonal ferrite completely. These results indicate that the thermo-stabilityof fine non-equilibrium microstructures is tightly related to their history.