Texture evolution of commercial pure Ti during cold rolling and recrystallization annealing

X-ray diffraction （XRD） was employed to analyze the texture evolution of commercial pure （CP） Ti during cold rolling and re- crystallization annealing. The texture components were measured by electron backscattered diffraction （EBSD） after recrystallization an- nealing. The CP Ti tends to form a texture with the basal pole tilted 30°-40° away from the normal direction toward the transverse direction. The texture of the initial hot-rolled plate can be classified into three kinds, i.e., the pyramid texture （1013）[5230] and （2021）[1015], the basal plane texture （0001）[2110], and the stronger_prism_texture （1120）[0001]. After cold rolling and annealing （700℃,60 min）,_the main texture components are the cold-rolled texture （1125）[1123] and the recrystallized texture （1013）[5230]. The texture （2021）[1015] is in- herited from the texture of the initial hot-rolled plate with the decrease of orientation density gradually. The volume contents of the cold-rolled texture {2115}（0110） and the recrystallized texture {1013}（1210） are calculated by EBSD. After recrystallization annealing, the specimen is rich in the recrystallized texture and inherits some of texture components from the cold-rolled texture. When the annealing time is prolonged, the anisotropic value decreases.

Influence of original microstructure on the transformation behavior and mechanical properties of ultra-high-strength TRIP-aided steel

The transformation behavior and tensile properties of an ultra-high-strength transformation-induced plasticity （TRIP） steel （0.2C-2.0Si-I.SMn） were investigated by different heat treatments for automobile applications. The results show that F-TRIP steel, a tradi- tional TRIP steel containing as-cold-rolled ferfite and pearlite as the original microstructure, consists of equiaxed grains of intercritical ferrite surrounded by discrete particles of M/RA and B. In contrast, M-TRIP steel, a modified TRiP-aided steel with martensite as the original mi- crostlucture, containing full martensite as the original microstructure is comprised of lath-shaped grains of ferrite separated by lath-shaped martensite/retained austenite and bainite. Most of the austenite in F-TRIP steel is granular, while the austenite in M-TRIP steel is lath-shaped. The volume fraction of the retained austenite as well as its carbon content is lower in F-TRIP steel than in M-TRIP steel, and austenite grains in M-TRIP steel are much finer than those in F-TRIP steel. Therefore, M-TRIP steel was concluded to have a higher austenite stability, re- sulting in a lower transformation rate and consequently contributing to a higher elongation compared to F-TRIP steel. Work hardening be- havior is also discussed for both types of steel.

Impact toughness of a gradient hardened layer of Cr5Mo1V steel treated by laser shock peening

Laser shock peening（LSP） is a widely used surface treatment technique that can effectively improve the fatigue life and impact toughness of metal parts.Cr5Mo1 V steel exhibits a gradient hardened layer after a LSP process.A new method is proposed to estimate the impact toughness that considers the changing mechanical properties in the gradient hardened layer.Assuming a linearly gradient distribution of impact toughness,the parameters controlling the impact toughness of the gradient hardened layer were given.The influence of laser power densities and the number of laser shots on the impact toughness were investigated.The impact toughness of the laser peened layer improves compared with an untreated specimen,and the impact toughness increases with the laser power densities and decreases with the number of laser shots.Through the fracture morphology analysis by a scanning electron microscope,we established that the Cr5Mo1 V steel was fractured by the cleavage fracture mechanism combined with a few dimples.The increase in the impact toughness of the material after LSP is observed because of the decreased dimension and increased fraction of the cleavage fracture in the gradient hardened layer.

A Chicken's Egg as a Reaction Vessel to Explore Biomineralization

Natural composites, formed through biomineralization, have highly ordered structures which have been aptly explored for functional applications. Though the role of organic phases has been well understood in biomineralization, not enough attention has been paid to the role of bio-membranes which are often found encapsulating the chamber in which mineralization occurs. We have used the natural protein and semi-permeable membrane of chicken eggs to grow different materials such as ceramics, semi-metals and metals to understand the role of bio-membranes in biomineralization. We here report the successful biomimetic synthesis of calcite, cadmium sulphide, and silver having homogeneous morphologies. We have found that the membrane operates like a tuned gateway, playing a significant role in controlling the morphology of the inorganic crystals formed during biomineralization.

Simple and High-Yield Synthesis of a Thinner Layer of Graphenic Carbon from Coconut Shells

Biomass has become of recent interest as a raw material for‘green’graphenic carbon(GC)since it promotes an environmentally friendly approach.Here,we investigate a single pyrolysis route to synthesize GC from coconut shells which provides a simple method and can produce a high yield,thus being convenient for large-scale pro-duction.The pyrolysis involves a stepped holding process at 350℃ for 1 h and at 650℃ or 900℃ for 3 h.The GC sample resulted at the 900℃ pyrolysis has a thinner sheet,a less porous structure,a higher C/O ratio,and an enhanced electrical conductivity than those pyrolyzed at 650℃.The addition of Na3PO4 catalyst has no signifi-cant effects on the GC structures obtained by this route.The single pyrolysis route generates thinner GC sheets compared to the two-step heat treatment followed by the liquid phase exfoliation(LPE)procedure.Nevertheless,the latter method offers a formation of clean samples with a porous or holey feature which has potential for advanced energy-storage applications.

Effect of Heat Treatment Process on Properties of 1000 MPa Ultra-High Strength Steel

Two types of steel, C-Mn-CrMo B microalloyed steel and C-Mn-Mo-Nb-Cu-B microalloyed steel, are designed to develop 1000 MPa ultra high strength steel. Two kinds of processes, thermomeehanical controlled process （TMCP） combined with traditional off-line quenching and tempering （QT） process versus controlled rolling process （CR） combined with direct quenching and tempering （DQ＋T） process, are applied. The effect of heat treatment processing mode on the microstructure and mechanical properties is studied. The relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties is investigated by SEM and TEM. After tempering at 450 to 550 ℃ for 1 h, the steel produced by TMCP＋QT process shows combination of excellent strength and low temperature toughness. The yield strength is above 1 000 MPa, elongation above 15% and impact energy at -40 ℃ more than 30 J. After tempering at 450 ℃, a large number of ε-Cu particles precipitated in C-Mn-Mo-Nb-Cu-B steel produced by CR＋DQ＋T process lead to a significant increase in yield strength. And after tempering at 500 to 600 ℃, the yield strength of the steel is further improved to 1 030 MPa because of precipitates, such as nitride or carbide of niobium, carbide of molybedenum and vanadium. When the tempering temperature is increased above 620 ℃, the yield strength is still higher than 1 000 MPa and elongation is above 20% and impact energy at --40 ℃ is more than 35 J. After tempering at above 500 ℃, the toughness of the steel treated by TMCP＋QT process is superior to that of steel by CR＋DQ＋T process.

Continuous Cooling Transformation Behavior and Kinetic Models of Transformations for an Ultra-Low Carbon Bainitic Steel

The aim was to investigate transformation behavior and transformation kinetics of an ultra-low carbon bai- nitic steel during continuous cooling. Continuous cooling transformation （CCT） curves of tested steel were measured by thermal dilatometer and metallographic structures at room temperature were observed by optical microscope. Then transformation kinetic equation of austenite to ferrite as well as austenite to bainite was established by analyzing the relationship of lnln]-l/（1--f）] and lnt in the kinetic equation on the basis of processed experimental data. Finally, the measured and calculated kinetic behaviors of the steel during continuous cooling were compared and growth pat- terns of transformed ferrite and bainite were analyzed. Results showed that calculated result was in reasonable agree- ment with the experimental data. It could be concluded that the growth modes of transformed ferrite and bainite were mainly one dimension as the Avrami exponents were between 1 and 2.

Solidification Structure of Continuous Casting Large Round Billets under Mold Electromagnetic Stirring

The solidification structure of a continuous casting large round billet was analyzed by a cellular-automaton-finite-element coupling model using the ProCAST software. The actual and simulated solidification structures were compared under mold electromagnetic stirring （MEMS） conditions （current of 300 A and frequency of 3 Hz）. Thereafter, the solidification structures of the large round billet were investigated under different superheats, casting speeds, and secondary cooling intensities. Finally, the effect of the MEMS current on the solidification structures was obtained under fixed superheat, casting speed, secondary cooling intensity, and MEMS frequency. The model accurately simulated the actual solidification structures of any steel, regardless of its size and the parameters used in the continuous casting process. The ratio of the central equiaxed grain zone was found to increase with decreasing superheat, increasing casting speed, decreasing secondary cooling intensity, and increasing MEMS current. The grain size obviously decreased with decreasing superheat and increasing MEMS current but was less sensitive to the casting speed and secondary cooling intensity.

BP Neural Network of Continuous Casting Technological Parameters and Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing of Spring Steel

The continuous casting technological parameters have a great influence on the secondary dendrite arm spacing of the slab, which determines the segregation behavior of materials. Therefore, the identification of technological parameters of continuous casting process directly impacts the property of slab. The relationships between continuous casting technological parameters and cooling rate of slab for spring steel were built using BP neural network model, based on which, the relevant secondary dendrite arm spacing was calculated. The simulation calculation was also carried out using the industrial data. The simulation results show that compared with that of the traditional method, the absolute error of calculation result obtained with BP neural network model reduced from 0. 015 to 0. 0005, and the relative error reduced from 6, 76 % to 0.22 %. BP neural network model had a more precise accuracy in the optimization of continuous casting technological parameters.

Precipitation Strengthening by Nanometer-sized Carbides in Hot-rolled Ferritic Steels

The mechanical properties of the hot-rolled plates of Ti steel and Ti-Mo steel after isothermal transformation in a temperature range of 600 700 ℃ for 60 min have been tested, and the microstructures of the matrix and the characteristics of precipitated nanometer-sized carbides have also been examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The precipitation regularity of nanometer-sized carbides has been studied by thermodynamic method and the contributions of corresponding strengthening mechanisms to the total yield strength have been calculated. The tensile strength of hot-rolled Ti-Mo ferritie steel can achieve 780 MPa with an elongation of 20.0% after being isothermally treated at 600 ℃ for 60 rain, and the tensile strength of Ti steel is 605 MPa with an elongation of 22.7%, according to the results of tensile tests. The critical nucleation size of （Ti,Mo）C is smaller than that of TiC at a given isothermal temperature, but the nucleation rate of （Ti, Mo）C is larger than that of TiC. The grainrefinement strengthening and precipitation strengthening contribute the main amount of the total yield strength. The major increase in yield strength with the decrease of isothermal temperature results from the contribution of precipi tation strengthening. The contribution of precipitation strengthening to the yield strength of the steels has been esti mated. The ferrite phase can be strengthened by about 400 MPa through precipitation strengthening in Ti-Mo steel isothermally treated at 600 ℃ for 60 rain, which is about 200 MPa higher than that of Ti steel under the same conditions.

Analysis of Microstructure Characteristics and Precipitation Behavior of Automobile Beam Steels Produced by Compact Strip Production

The microstructure characteristics and precipitation behavior of automobile beam steels produced by compact strip production （CSP） were investigated by use of scanning electron microscopy （SEM） transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The result shows that the final microstructure is mainly composed of polygonal ferrite and small amount of pearlite, and the average ferrite grain size is about 3-6μm. Small amount addition Ti to aluminium-killed steel can help to refine the microstructure and improve the mechanical properties. A large number of fine precipitates have been observed in automobile beam steels. The mean particle size is about 10-30 nm. Remarkable strengthening and grain refinement can be obtained by these nano-particles.

Inclusion Variations of Hot Working Die Steel H13 in Refining Process

Inclusion variations of die steel H13, including changes of species, morphologies, compositions, amounts and sizes, in the production of EAF-LF--VD-ingot casting-electro slag refining （ESR） procedure, were investi- gated by systematic sampling, and analyzed with scanning electron microscope （SEM）, energy dispersive spectrum （EDS） , and metallographic microscope. The variation mechanism was studied by comprehensive analysis of total oxygen, nitrogen, and acid soluble aluminum as well as chemical test of refining slag. Based on the investigations, technical measures for cleanness improvement were discussed. The resuhs show that oxide inclusions in H13 steel change from irregular Al2O3- near globular CaO-MgO-Al2O3 and CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 complex inclusions-finer CaO- Al2O3-SiO2 inclusions with higher CaO content-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 inclusions with higher Al2O3 content and irregular MgO-AI203 inclusions--fine irregular MgO-Al2O3-CaS inclusions in various steps of the production; the variations are related with changes of acid soluble aluminum content, reactions between slag and steel, re-oxidation of liquid steel during casting, and refining of ESR. It is also found that Al2O3 inclusions are modified by refining slag in LF and VD refining~ and ESR plays a good role in inclusion removal, especially in controlling the large linear VC-CrC- MoC inclusions distributed in grain boundaries. It is suggested that casting protection should be improved, and the basicity of refining slag and acid soluble aluminum content in steel should be raised.

Effect of Annealing Process on Microstructure and Mechanical Property of 1100 MPa Grade TRIP Steel

To develop super-high strength TRIP steel for automobile application with good combination of strength and plasticity, an ultra high-strength TRIP steel 0.2 %C-2.0% Si-1.8% Mn was investigated at different intercritical annealing temperatures and bainitic isothermal temperatures. Microstructures were observed by scanning electron mi- croscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and X-ray diffraction, and mechanical properties were tested under a uniaxial tensile testing machine. It shows that the best comprehensive mechanical properties were obtained for the experimental steel particularly annealed at 820 ℃ and austempered at 410 ℃. Yield strength of the tested steel mainly depends on ferrite, while the high strength of the tested steel is related to mar- tensite which forms through blocky austenite transformation during cooling and subsequent tensile test attributed to the TRIP effect. Hence, it could be concluded that the grain size of the retained austenite and carbon content in re- tained austenite are the main reasons for high elongation of the tested steel.

WO3 nanomaterials synthesized via a sol-gel method and calcination for use as a CO gas sensor

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous and hazardous gas and sensitive sensor devices are needed to prevent humans from being poisoned by this gas. A CO gas sensor has been prepared from WO3 synthesized by a sol-gel method. The sensor chip was prepared by a spin-coating technique which deposited a thin film of WO3 on an alumina substrate. The chip samples were then calcined at 300, 400, 500 or 600 ℃ for 1 h. The sensitivities of the different sensor chips for CO gas were determined by comparing the changes in electrical resistance in the absence and presence of 50 ppm of CO gas at 200 ℃. The WO3 calcined at 500 ℃ had the highest sensitivity. The sensitivity of this sensor was also measured at CO concentrations of 100 ppm and 200 ppm and at operating temperatures of 30 and 100℃. Thermogravimetric analysis of the WO3 calcined at 500 ℃ indicated that this sample had the highest gas adsorption capacity. This preliminary research has shown that WO3 can serve as a CO gas sensor and that is should be further explored and developed.