Modeling of StrainInduced Precipitation Kinetics and Evolution of Austenite Grains in Nb Microalloyed Steels

Considering the effect of strain and chemical composition on precipitation behavior, new models for the start and end time of Nb(C,N) precipitation in austenite under the conditions of different temperatures and strains have been investigated for Nb microalloyed steel. The value of n in the precipitation kinetic equation has been determined by using the available experimental data in literature, which indicated that n is a constant and independent of temperature. The values of the start and end time of the predicted precipitation are compared with the experimental values. Calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results. Also, the evolution of austenite grains before ferrite transformation is simulated by taking the effect of precipitation into consideration. The measured austenite grain size is in good agreement with predicted one prior to ferrite transformation.     

Nb的析出对变形诱导铁素体相变的影响

通过Gleeble2000热模拟实验机，研究了X65管线钢中Nb在变形奥氏体中的析出状态对变形诱导铁素体相变（DIFT）的影响。试验结果表明，在奥氏体临界区变形时，第一道次变形后，随变形后等温时间延长，诱导铁素体量变化不大。等温时间达120S时，变形奥氏体仍未发生再结晶。在道次间随时间延长，Nb的析出量增加，第二道次变形后诱导的铁素体也显著增加。微合金元素Nb通过碳氮化物的析出作用促进变形诱导铁素体相变。     

不同冷却速率下X70管线钢铁素体相变的模拟

为更精确地控制及优化X70管线钢的目标组织,以经典相变理论模型为基础,建立了先共析铁素体周围的临界碳浓度与原奥氏体的碳浓度之间的数学模型,并采用逆向回归法确定了铁素体相变分数的关键性参数,经试验验证,模型具有良好的精度。结果表明：临界碳浓度满足C^k=1．8,关系;铁素体相变分数的关键性参数m=1．3,b1=0．026...     

Numerical Analysis of the Nb(C,N) Precipitation Kinetics in Microalloyed Steels

Precipitation kinetics of Nb(C,N) in microalloyed steels is crucial for the achievement of favoured steel properties. Therefore, numerous experimental studies have been performed in the past and various theoretical models have been developed to describe Nb(C,N) precipitation. However, the experimental data is sometimes contradictory and even the thermodynamic data for NbC solubility in austenite have a large scatter. In this paper, experimental results on the Nb(C,N) and NbV(C,N) precipitation kinetics in deformed and undeformed austenite are reviewed. Based on these data and with the precipitation kinetics module of the software package MatCalc, computer simulations are performed. The predicted interfacial energy of precipitates is adjusted to match the observed kinetics. A comparison between experimental information and simulation, i.e. time ‐ temperature ‐ precipitation (TTP) diagrams, is drawn and discussed. The results of the computer simulations using modified interfacial energies are in good agreement with the experiments.     

The isothermal decomposition of austenite in hot-rolled microalloyed steels

The isothermal decomposition of austenite has been examined in a set of 0.1 C, 1.4 Mn steels containing small amounts of Ti, V, or Nb. The volume fraction of ferrite was measured as a function of transformation temperature and holding time, after hot rolling. Precipitation of carbonitrides, in both the austenite and the ferrite, was examined by electron microscopy of extraction replicas. The decomposition is slowest in the Nb-alloyed steel, in which the start of transformation is delayed and ferrite growth rates are much lower than in the other steels. In the V-alloyed steels, ferrite growth rates are lower than in the plain carbon or Ti alloyed steels. These results are discussed in terms of the effects of carbonitride precipitation in the austenite during high temperature deformation and in the ferrite during transformation. The roles of V and Nb in solution are also considered.     

Effect of Dissolved and Precipitated Niobium in Microalloyed Steel on Deformation Induced Ferrite Transformation （DIFT）

 Hot deformation processing was designed to study the effects of niobium (Nb) on DIFT. A prestrain of 051 at 880 ℃ for different isothermal time was used for adjusting the deformed austenite constitution and Nb existing state, followed by a secondary heavy deformation at 780 ℃ for inducing the ferrite transformation. The volume fraction and grain size of deformation induced ferrite (DIF) obtained at different isothermal time between double hits were investigated. It was found that Nb dissolved in austenite is adverse to DIFT; however, the precipitation of Nb is beneficial to DIFT. As Nb plays the role in the conventional TMCP, Nb retards the recrystallization of deformed austenite and enhances the deformation stored energy in the multipass deformation, and in result, Nb promotes DIFT.     

铌微合金化对高铁车轮钢奥氏体形核和长大的影响

 针对碳质量分数为0.47%中碳高铁车轮钢,研究了铌微合金化对前驱体为铁素体-珠光体的组织发生奥氏体逆相变的影响。结果表明,铁素体-珠光体钢的逆相变是一个由碳原子扩散控制的过程,奥氏体优先在珠光体内的铁素体与渗碳体（α/Fe3C）片层界面处形核,并且沿平行于珠光体片层方向的长大速率比垂直于珠光体片层方向更快。含铌车轮钢细化的珠光体组织可以提高奥氏体的形核率,有利于细化奥氏体晶粒。随着再加热温度的提高,含铌车轮钢的奥氏体混晶温度（960 ℃）比不含铌的钢高80 ℃,因此通过铌微合金化可扩大再加热奥氏体化温度窗口。结合Thermal-Calc热力学计算和透射电镜分析,铌在中碳钢中主要以析出物的形式存在,析出钉扎作用是其细化奥氏体晶粒、推迟混晶现象出现的主要机制。     

铌微合金化抗震钢筋形变奥氏体连续冷却转变

 为了研究铌对高强抗震钢筋生产过程中组织转变的影响,通过热模拟试验对比研究了无铌碳素钢筋及铌微合金化钢筋(铌质量分数为0.03%)形变奥氏体在不同冷却速率下的组织和相变规律,获得动态CCT曲线。研究结果表明,添加0.03%铌使试验钢奥氏体连续冷却转变有明显变化。从连续冷却曲线(CCT)可看出,添加铌后,发生先共析铁素体、珠光体相变的冷却速度范围减小,铁素体、珠光体转变温度降低;贝氏体相变的冷却速度区间整体右移。添加铌能细化组织,各冷却速度下含铌钢的硬度均大于无铌钢。利用TEM对不同冷却速度下含铌钢中析出相进行观察,发现Nb(C,N)弥散分布于钢中,随着冷却速度的增加,析出的Nb(C,N)逐渐减少,析出相尺寸呈先减小后增大的规律,2 ℃/s冷却速度冷却得到的析出相尺寸细小且数量较多。     

Modeling of kinetics of isothermal idiomorphic ferrite formation in a medium-carbon vanadium-titanium microalloyed steel

The present article is concerned with the theoretical and experimental study of the growth kinetics of idiomorphic ferrite in a medium-carbon vanadium-titanium microalloyed steel. A theoretical model is presented to calculate the evolution of isothermal austenite-to-idiomorphic ferrite transformation with time for a given temperature. Moreover, the nature, size, and distribution of the inclusions that are responsible for the intragranular nucleation of idiomorphic ferrite have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the influence of austenite grain size in the isothermal decomposition of austenite in idiomorphic ferrite has been thoroughly analyzed. An excellent agreement (higher than 90 pct in R ²) has been obtained between the experimental and predicted values of the volume fraction of idiomorphic ferrite.     

Modeling of kinetics of austenite-to-allotriomorphic ferrite transformation in 0.37C-1.45Mn-0.11V microalloyed steel

The present article is concerned with the theoretical and experimental study of the growth kinetics of allotriomorphic ferrite in medium carbon vanadium-titanium microalloyed steel. A theoretical model is presented in this work to calculate the evolution of austenite-to-allotriomorphic ferrite transformation with time at a very wide temperature range. At temperatures above eutectoid temperature, where allotriomorphic ferrite is the only austenite transformation product, the soft-impingement effect should be taken into account in the modeling. In that case, the Gilmour et al. analysis reliably predicts the progress of austenite-to-allotriomorphic ferrite transformation in this steel. By contrast, since pearlite acts as a carbon sink, the carbon enrichment of austenite due to the previous ferrite formation is avoided, and carbon concentration in austenite far from the α/γ interface remains the same as the overall carbon content of the steel. Hence, the soft-impingement effect should be neglected, and allotriomorphic ferrite is considered to grow under a parabolic law. Therefore, assumption of a semi-infinite extent austenite with constant boundary conditions is suitable for the kinetics of the isothermal decomposition of austenite. An excellent agreement (higher than 93 pct in R ²) has been obtained between the experimental and predicted values of the volume fraction of ferrite in all of the ranges of temperature studied.     

Modeling of kinetics of austenite-to-allotriomorphic ferrite transformation in 0.37C-1.45Mn-0.11V microalloyed steel

The present article is concerened with the theoretical and experimental study of the growth kinetics of allotriomorphic ferrite in medium carbon vanadium-titanium microalloyed steel. A theoretical model is presented in this work to calculate the evolution of austente-to-allotriomorphic ferrite transformation with time at a very wide temperature range. At temperatures above eutectoid temperature, where allotriomorphic ferrite is the only austenite transormation product, thesoft-impingement effect should be taken into account in the modeling. In that case, the Gilmouret al., analysis reliably predicts the progress of austenite-to-allotriomorphic ferrite transformation in this steel. By contrast, since pearlite acts as a carbon sink, the carbon enrichment of austenite due to the previous ferrite formation is avoided, and carbon concentration in austenite far from the α/λ interface remains the same as the overal carbon content of the steel. Hence, the soft-impingement effect should be neglected, and allotriomorphic ferrite is considered to grow under a parabolic law. Therefore, assumption of a semi-infinite extent austenite with constant boundary conditions is suitable for the kinetics of the isothermal decomposition of austenite. An excellent agreement (higher than 93 pct inR ²) has been obtained between the experimental and predicted values of the volume fraction of ferrite in all of the ranges of temperature studied. C. CAPDEVILA, Research Associate, formerly with the Department of Physical Metallurgy, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalurgicas (CENIM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain     

Effect of Thermo‐Mechanical Process on Phase Transformation Behaviors of V–Ti–N Microalloyed Steel

Thermo‐mechanical simulation tests were performed on V–Ti–N microalloyed steel under three hot working conditions by using Gleeble‐3800 thermo‐mechanical simulator to study the effects of hot deformation and post‐deformation holding process on the continuous cooling transformation behaviors of overcooled austenite. The continuous cooling transformation diagrams (CCT diagrams) were determined by thermal dilation method and metallographic method. The effects of the hot deformation, post‐deformation holding, and cooling rate on the microstructure evolution were analyzed. The results show that deformation promotes ferrite and pearlite transformation. In addition, deformation leads to an increase in bainite start temperature, which becomes more markedly with the increase in cooling rate. The post‐deformation holding process is much favorable to promote carbonitride precipitation of the microalloying elements, which contributes to ferrite nucleation and smaller austenite grains. As a result, an increase in ferrite quantity and a decrease in ferrite grain size can be observed. And further more, the post‐deformation holding process reduces the effect of hot deformation on the bainite start temperature.     

Effect of Nb on Ferrite Recrystallization and Austenite Decomposition in Microalloyed Steels

A promising new method for steel design is based on controlling alloy chemistry and thermomechanical processing parameters to tailor microstructural evolution though an explicit understanding of the physical mechanisms governing microstructural change. Additions of Nb have been shown to have a large effect on microstructural processes in steels and this contribution summarizes recent work on elucidating the effect of Nb on the processes of recrystallization in ferrite and the kinetics of the austenite to ferrite phase transformation. In particular, emphasis is placed on distinguishing the effects of Nb in solution and Nb present as Nb‐containing precipitates. Nb in solution is shown to have a very strong effect on the recrystallization in ferrite and this can be quantified and understood in terms of the well‐known solute‐drag effect. The effect of NbC particles on the kinetics of the austenite to ferrite phase transformation is, however, less clear. Theoretical considerations would lead us to expect interphase boundary carbide precipitation to influence the transformation rate but novel decarburization experiments suggest this is not the case. This illustrates that although we are making progress on our understanding of the physical mechanisms governing change in Nb containing steels, there remains a number of important issues requiring further work.     

C Mn Nb钢在控轧控冷条件下相变后铁素体晶粒尺寸的预测

 基于相变动力学和热力学原理，讨论了椭球形铁素体晶核在奥氏体晶界形核及长大的动力学，在模型中引入变形和冷却的作用，提出了预测C Mn Nb钢经控轧控冷后铁素体晶粒尺寸的方法。用该方法进行的计算机模拟结果和实验结果吻合良好，表明这种方法可用来模拟该相变过程。     

Effect of Cooling Rates on the Second‐Phase Precipitation and Proeutectoid Phase Transformation of a Nb–Ti Microalloyed Steel Slab

During the continuous casting of low‐carbon Nb–Ti microalloyed steel, control of the slab surface microstructure and the behavior of the second‐phase precipitation are significantly influenced by the cooling rate. Through confocal laser scanning microscopy, the effect of the cooling rate on the behavior of ferrite precipitation both at the grain boundary and within the austenite was observed in situ and analyzed. The relationship between the cooling rate and precipitation of the microalloying elements on the slab surface microstructure was further analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the effect of microalloying element precipitation on proeutectoid ferrite phase transformation is mainly manifested in two aspects: (i) the carbonitrides of microalloying elements act as inoculant particles to promote nucleation of the proeutectoid ferrite and (ii) the carbon near the grain boundary is depleted when the microalloying elements precipitate into carbonitrides, inducing a decrease in the local carbon concentration and promoting ferrite precipitation.     

共析钢中铌对珠光体相变行为的影响

 通过金相、扫描电镜,相变临界点和过冷奥氏体等温转变的分析,研究了Nb对共析钢（质量分数：C 075%,C 0.78%）珠光体相变微观组织和等温转变动力学的影响。结果表明：微量Nb（质量分数为0.04%、0064%）的加入使钢中先共析铁素体的量较未含铌钢有所增加,这很可能是Nb的加入使得共析碳含量明显升高的结果,同时使珠光体相变产物的形貌发生明显变化,珠光体中渗碳体的展弦比显著降低。此外Nb提高了先共析铁素体和珠光体的开始转变温度,即Nb的加入在一定程度上降低了过冷奥氏体的热力学稳定性;相变动力学表明加入Nb 0.04%可使珠光体相变的鼻子点温度升高约50℃,且最快开始相变时间比不含铌钢推迟一个数量级以上,即Nb的加入推迟了鼻子点和较低温度下的珠光体相变,提高了钢的淬透性。     

热轧Nb微合金化TRIP钢高温区变形过程中Nb的析出行为

通过Gleeble热模拟实验研究了含0.038%Nb(质量分数)的热轧TRIP钢在高温奥氏体区的热加工工艺,借助光学显微镜、扫描电镜和透射电镜分析了组织演变和Nb的析出行为,并利用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪定量分析了Nb的固溶/析出程度.在1250℃奥氏体化5 min后添加Nb有70%固溶于奥氏体.在1000℃以上的奥氏体再结晶区变形过程中Nb的析出量仅占总固溶量的3%,不能有效抑制静态再结晶,奥氏体晶粒得到明显细化.在900℃的奥氏体未再结晶区变形前析出Nb量已达到总固溶量的9%,再结晶被抑制而获得拉长状奥氏体.奥氏体未再结晶区变形可促进铁素体转变并细化铁素体晶粒.再结晶奥氏体或形变奥氏体状态下冷却至650℃时分别有占总添加量的48%和40%的Nb仍以固溶态存在.      

The Effect of Cooling Rate,and Cool Deformation Through Strain-Induced Transformation,on Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Microalloyed Steels

In this article, a detailed study was conducted to evaluate the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of microalloyed steels processed by thermomechanical schedules incorporating cool deformation. Cool deformation was incorporated into a full scale simulation of hot rolling, and the effect of prior austenite conditioning on the cool deformability of microalloyed steels was investigated. As well, the effect of varying cooling rate, from the end of the finishing stage to the cool deformation temperature, 673 K (400 °C), on mechanical properties and microstructural evolution was studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, in particular for Nb containing steels, was also conducted for the precipitation evaluation. Results show that cool deformation greatly improves the strength of microalloyed steels. Of the several mechanisms identified, such as work hardening, precipitation, grain refinement, and strain-induced transformation (SIT) of retained austenite, SIT was proposed, for the first time in microalloyed steels, to be a significant factor for strengthening due to the deformation in ferrite. Results also show that the effect of precipitation in ferrite for the Nb bearing steels is greatly overshadowed by SIT at room temperature.     

A new theory and kinetic modeling of strain-induced precipitation of Nb(CN) in microalloyed austenite

A new theory of strain-induced precipitation of Nb(CN) in microalloyed austenite has been developed by considering the effect of nonequilibrium segregation of Nb on the nucleation and growth of the precipitates. With the aid of the theory, the discrepancy existing between the conventional theory for strain-induced precipitation and experimental data can be reconciled. A kinetic model has been developed based on the new theory. The model is capable of predicting both the Nb(CN) precipitation kinetics and the resulting microstructure in microalloyed austenite. Excellent agreement has been obtained between the model predictions and the experimental observations reported by different investigators.     

The isothermal austenite-ferrite transformation in some deformed vanadium steels

The effect of vanadium on the isothermal austenite-ferrite transformation, between 725 °C and 775 °C, of a hot-deformed microalloyed steel has been studied by examination of the microstructure and measurement of the volume fraction of ferrite in specimens quenched from the reaction temperature. The accompanying precipitation was studied by transmission electron microscopy of thin foils and carbon extraction replicas and by electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Very early in the transformation a continuous band of fine-grained ferrite forms at austenite grain boundaries. After some time some of these grains coarsen to form large equiaxed ferrite grains. It is found that vanadium has no effect on the time to the start of coarsening but thereafter accelerates the rate of formation of ferrite. Interphase precipitation of VN occurs throughout the transformation in the vanadium steels and this is thought to influence the rate at which the ferrite coarsens at the lower temperatures (750 ° and 725 °C) in the range studied.