Structural refinement and strengthening of an Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni shape memory alloy by high-speed rolling

The shape recovery under different opposing stress conditions and the various microstructures obtained have been examined following high-speed rolling. An iron-based shape memory alloy that can hardly be rolled at a high strain rate is shown to be capable of being rolled down to 50% of its original thickness by single pass. The shape recovery under the opposing stress applied during reverse transformation is found to increase notably as a result of structural refinement induced by high-speed rolling. In these tests, the specimens were twinned or transformed into hcp and bcc nanophases by the high-speed rolling performed at strain rates as high as 10⁴ s⁻¹. The current study emphasizes the contribution of the resultant structural refinement to the strengthening of the shape memory alloy.     

Notch-texture strengthening mechanism in commercially pure titanium thin sheets

Simultaneous effects of notch and texture on strengthening mechanisms of rolled thin sheets of commercially pure titanium were investigated. The presence of notch led to the restriction of deformation systems and different fracture behaviors compared to un-notched specimens. The loss of material’s ability to accommodate plastic deformation at the notch tip with increase in rolling reductions changed the notch strengthening phenomenon to the notch weakening one. At medium levels of deformation, due to the simultaneous development of a triaxial stress state and strong basal texture at the notch tip, a new strengthening mechanism which is called “notch-texture strengthening mechanism” led to a significant enhancement of tear strength. However, the lack of stress triaxiality in un-notched tensile specimens and a strong basal texture component in other notched specimens reduced the impact of strengthening. It was found that the restriction of deformation systems due to the c-axis compression condition at the notch tip was responsible for this strengthening mechanism.     

Relation between fatigue threshold and fatigue limit for surface-rolled specimens

After cylinder notch fatigue specimens of 40 CrNiMo steel were rolled, their fatigue limit increased by 41%. The rolled specimens did not fracture, even though they had been loaded for 10⁷ cycles under fatigue limit stress, but a non-propagating fatigue crack was generated. Thus the value of the fatigue limit depends on the fatigue threshold value ΔK_th of the metal of the rolled layer. Plastic deformation increased ΔK_th in these experiments. It can be inferred that ΔK_th of the rolled layer increases from the occurrence of plastic deformation and microvoids on the layer. Calculation of the effect of residual stress in the crack wake on the stress intensity factor ΔK indicates that residual compression stress decreases ΔK by 21.5 MPa √M. It was calculated that rolling induced both the length of the non-propagating crack and the increase of fatigue limit. The calculated values are in accord with experiment. Analysis and calculations indicate that the non-propagating crack is generated on the rolled layer. Thus the fatigue limit is improved because rolling produces residual compression stress in the layer (which decreases the stress intensity factor), and increases ΔK_th of the layer.     

Grain refinement of high purity aluminium by asymmetric rolling

Abstract

For the purpose of grain refinement, development of the microstructure of coarse grain, high purity aluminium during cold asymmetric rolling has been studied by electron backscatter pattern (EBSP) analysis, as well as optical and transmission electron microscopy, and compared with that developed during conventional rolling. In 91.3% asymmetrically rolled sheet, new fine equiaxed grains with an average size of ～2 µm are evolved almost uniformly throughout the thickness. On the other hand, in conventionally rolled sheet, the coarse fibrous structure is predominant. A change of grain boundary misorientation distribution with an increase in reduction shows that the fraction of sub-boundaries below 10° decreases linearly, and that of the high angle boundaries above 15° increases linearly. The fine grain evolution during asymmetric rolling seems to result from the development of sub-boundaries into high angle boundaries promoted by a simultaneous action of two deformation modes, namely compression and additional shear deformation. Fine grains evolved during asymmetric rolling are stable at temperatures below 423 K. Annealing at temperatures above 473 K results in remarkable grain growth.     

Effect of tempering on nitrided and deformed austenitic stainless steel

Abstract

The effect of tempering on nitrided austenitic stainless steel AISI 316 has been studied. Nitrided specimens (with 0.4 wt-%N) were tempered for short times at temperatures up to 900°C and the results show a small effect on the microstructures and mechanical properties. The strength is consistent with a Hall–Petch relationship dependent on nitrogen content in solution. The effect of tempering has also been studied on cold and hot deformed nitrided specimens. In these cases, tempering had a range of different effects on the microstructures and mechanical properties. Specimens that are tempered before cold rolling showed a continuous decrease in strength as the tempering temperature increased, while specimens cold rolled and then tempered had a maximum strength at 550°C. Specimens with 0.4 wt-%N subjected to tempering followed by hot deformation also showed a maximum strength at similar tempering temperatures. The nature of these changes has been analysed and mechanisms have been proposed that relate microstructural effects and properties.     

Microstructure evolution and impact toughness of sandwich structured composite prepared by centrifugal casting and hot rolling process

A sandwich structured composite containing a hypereutectic high chromium cast iron (HCCI) core and low carbon steel (LCS) claddings was successfully fabricated by centrifugal casting and hot rolling process, and then a series of heat treatments were employed to optimise the performance of the composites. The evolution of microstructures and microhardness of as cast, hot rolled and heat treated specimens were investigated. The results showed that the interfaces combined well with a good metallurgical bonding before hot rolling. Etuectic carbides are crushed, refined obviously and become more isolated. There is not obvious break between primary carbides. The hardness of hot rolled HCCI is 62 HRC, which is higher than that of as cast HCCI (56 HRC) due to the broken and diffusely distributed carbides. The hardness of hot rolled HCCI can reach up to 69 HRC or above after air quenching. The average impact toughness of LCS/HCCI composite could reach up to 10·1 J cm^?2, which was almost three times that of the as cast sample. Glide lamellas were observed among the interface due to the stagger of LCS and HCCI.     

Anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of extruded and rolled magnesium alloys

Fatigue tests were conducted using both extruded and rolled magnesium alloys AZ31 to study anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of the alloys. For the above purpose, two types of specimens whose longitudinal axes are parallel (E specimen) and perpendicular (T specimen) to the extrusion direction were prepared for the extruded Mg alloy. For the rolled Mg alloy, three types of specimens, whose longitudinal axes are parallel (R specimen) and perpendicular (T and S specimens) to the rolling direction, were prepared. S–N curves and crack propagation characteristics for both the extruded and rolled specimens with different longitudinal directions were studied to investigate the effects of the texture, microstructures and residual stresses on the fatigue behavior of the magnesium alloy AZ31. Anisotropy of the fatigue behavior was observed for both the extruded and the rolled magnesium alloys. In the extruded Mg alloy, differences in both fatigue lives and fatigue limit exist between E and T specimens. The fatigue resistance for the former is superior to that of the latter. In the rolled Mg alloy, lesser differences were found between R and T specimens. However, fatigue lives of the S specimens were clearly shorter than those of the former at the high stress amplitudes above the fatigue limit. In the extruded Mg alloy, the rod-like microstructure observed is an important factor contributing to the anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of the alloy. While in the rolled Mg alloy, the texture induced during processing is considered to play a dominant role in the anisotropy of the fatigue behavior of the alloy.     

Mechanical properties and anisotropy of ME20 magnesium sheet produced by unidirectional and cross rolling

The microstructures and textures of 90% unidirectionally (UR) and cross rolled (CR) RE-containing magnesium alloy ME20 were investigated for different reductions per rolling pass (r.p.p). During cross rolling the strain path was changed between the rolling passes which led to a weaker texture development and a finer recrystallized grain size compared to conventional unidirectional rolling. The presence of Ce-containing second phase particles with micrometric sizes is suggested to facilitate recrystallization by particle stimulated nucleation (PSN). The tensile mechanical properties in terms of strength and ductility, and also the sheet anisotropy of the UR and CR rolled materials were investigated at room temperature. CR specimens showed enhanced ductility of 26% elongation-to-fracture and an average r-value close to 1, which was attributed to the soft sheet texture prior to tension.     

Formation of textures and microstructures in asymmetrically cold rolled and subsequently annealed aluminum alloy 1100 sheets

The formation of textures and microstructures in asymmetrically cold rolled and subsequently annealed AA 1100 sheets was investigated. The asymmetrical rolling procedure in this experiment was performed in a rolling mill with different roll velocities (roll velocity ratio of 1.5/1.0). In order to enhance the shear deformation, asymmetrical rolling was performed by a large reduction per pass and without lubrication. Asymmetrical rolling led to the formation of strong shear textures. The evolution of asymmetrically cold rolled textures was analyzed by FEM simulations. After recrystallization annealing, pronounced {111}//ND orientations prevailed in all thickness layers. Intensified shear deformations by asymmetrical rolling also led to the formation of ultra-fine grains after recrystallization annealing.     

Study of Deformation Mechanisms in Titanium by Interrupted Rolling and Channel Die Compression Tests

The mechanisms of small plastic deformation of titanium (T40) during cold rolling and channel die compression by means of "interrupted in situ" EBSD orientation measurements were studied. These interrupted EBSD orientation measurements allow to determine the rotation flow field which leads to the development of the crystallographic texture during the plastic deformation. Results show that during rolling, tension twins and compression twins occur and various glide systems are activated, the number of grains being larger with twins than with slip traces. In channel die compression, only tension twins are observed in some grains, whereas slip traces can be spotted in almost all observed grains. The different stress conditions and different strain rates existing under the two modes of deformation lead to the activation of different deformation mechanisms.     

Recrystallisation textures in cold rolled low carbon steel containing ferritic and bainitic microstructures

Abstract

Low carbon steel strip was heat treated to generate four different starting microstructures (fine and coarse polygonal ferrite, acicular ferrite and bainite) for investigating their influence on texture development during cold rolling and annealing. The starting materials were cold rolled to 50–90% reduction and annealed for various times in the temperature range 853–953 K. The resultant microstructures and textures were examined mainly by electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray diffraction. The initial microstructure strongly influenced the crystallographic rotation paths during cold rolling, whereby high strain deformation generated strong {223}〈110〉 texture components in the polygonal ferritic microstructures, whereas a strong {001}〈110〉 texture was produced in the acicular/bainitic microstructures. Subsequent annealing generated, to varying degrees, the classic {111}〈uvw〉 (γ-fibre) recrystallisation texture in all materials. Unexpectedly, coarse polygonal ferrite produced the strongest γ-fibre recrystallisation texture after 70–90% cold rolling reduction. Based on arguments involving the effect of carbon in solution, initial grain size and deformation textures on recrystallisation texture development, it was shown that a strong γ-fibre texture can indeed be generated in coarse polygonal ferrite.     

Influence of rolling temperature on static recrystallization behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy

Poor formability of rolled magnesium (Mg) alloys extremely restricts applications in form of sheets originating from formation of strong basal texture. Recently, we found that increasing rolling temperature from 723 to 798 K for a AZ31 Mg alloy can significantly improve stretch formability due to remarkable texture weakening after annealing. In this study, static recrystallization behaviors of AZ31 alloy sheets rolled at 723 and 798 K were investigated by electron backscattered diffraction analyses at different annealing stages in order to understand the origin of high temperature rolling on texture weakening. For both sheets, similar deformation microstructures with approximately the same types and fractions of twins exist in the as-rolled condition and recrystallized grains are mainly formed at pre-existing grain boundaries due to discontinuous recrystallization during subsequent annealing. However, only the basal texture of the latter remarkably weakens due to the formation of new recrystallized grains with well-dispersed orientations. Non-basal slips enhanced during high temperature rolling at 798 K are most likely responsible for the texture randomization as a result of rotations of recrystallization nuclei.     

Hot-cracking of high-alloyed steels evaluated by wedge rolling test

We present a new methodology of determination of hot-cracking of metallic materials, which is based on laboratory application of the wedge rolling test and computer processing of the results obtained. The experiment was made with selected new types of high-alloyed free-cutting (ferritic and austenitic) steels. The initial specimens underwent an additional modification enabling easier development of cracks which consisted in milling out of the defined V-shaped notches on a side wall of a specimen. After taking specimens from the rolled material, we performed the metallographic analysis of microstructures by means of optical microscopy as well as a SEM analysis of the cracks. The resulting microstructure in the propagating crack vicinity was markedly influenced by this fracture. In the crack vicinity, a noticeable refinement of grains was observed due to the stress-induced recrystallization and occurrence of deformation zones that were pronounced by the rolled-out and stretched sulphides. As a rule, fractures were created by the ductile failure with visible pits, caused by tearing of sulphides from the material. Susceptibility of the studied steels to hot-cracking was evaluated and compared. __________ Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 60–63, January–February, 2008.     

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of ECAP processed AZ31B over a wide range of loading rates under compression and tension

In this work, a commercial magnesium alloy, AZ31B in hot-rolled condition, has been subjected to severe plastic deformation via four passes of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) to modify its microstructure. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to characterize the microstructure of the as-received, ECAPed and mechanically loaded specimens. Mechanical properties of the specimens were evaluated under both compression and tension along the rolling/extrusion direction over a wide range of strain rates. The yield strength, ultimate strength and failure strain/elongation under compression and tension were compared in detail to sort out the effects of factors in terms of microstructure and loading conditions. The results show that both the as-received alloy and ECAPed alloy are nearly insensitive to strain rate under compression, and the stress–strain curves exhibit clear sigmoidal shape, pointing to dominance of mechanical twinning responsible for the plastic deformation under compression. All compressive samples fail prematurely via adiabatic shear banding followed by cracking. Significant grain size refinement is identified in the vicinity of the shear crack. Under tension, the yield strength is much higher, with strong rate dependence and much improved tensile ductility in the ECAPed specimens. Tensile ductility is even much larger than the malleability under compression. This supports the operation of 〈c + a〉 dislocations. However, ECAP lowers the yield and flow strengths of the alloy under tension. We attempted to employ a mechanistic model to provide an explanation for the experimental results of plastic deformation and failure, which is in accordance with the physical processes under tension and compression.     

Some new results in thermomechanical processing of microalloyed steels

In recent times, efforts have been directed towards a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with deformation and restoration of austenite during continuous multipass hot rolling of microalloyed steels. The correspondence between the condition of austenite before transformation and the resultant microstructure upon cooling holds the key to the attainment of interesting properties. In the present paper, some results obtained on the deformation of austenite in a microalloyed steel, using a hot compression machine, are presented. Here, the idea was to simulate actual plate rolling or hot strip rolling conditions and study the evolution of microstructure at different stages of the hot deformation process i.e. after precise reductions at given strain rate and temperature of deformation. The paper further discusses recent results obtained by us on the influence of hot deformation parameters (strain, finish rolling temperature, temperature of deformation) and cooling rates (air cooling, spray water cooling) on the microstructure of microalloyed steel. The precise conditions leading to the evolution of acicular ferrite and bainitic microstructures have been identified. New information on the influence of short tempering treatments (15 min at 550, 600 and 650°C) on the microstructure and properties of a microalloyed steel are also outlined.     

锻造、轧制变形对2519A铝板抗腐蚀性能的影响

为改善2519A-T87铝合金的腐蚀性能并探求其影响因素,采用金相显微镜、透射电镜及X射线衍射仪研究了锻造以及轧制两种变形方式对该合金板晶界无沉淀带、析出相、晶粒取向与抗腐蚀性能的影响.结果表明:锻造板中晶界无沉淀带(PFZ)较轧制板的宽,晶界析出相粒子间距大,较难形成连续腐蚀通道,其抗晶间腐蚀与剥落腐蚀性能优于轧制板;PFZ与基体,析出相与PFZ构成两对电偶发生反应,而晶界上不连续分布的、大的第二相之间的间距有利于提高合金的抗应力腐蚀性能,锻造板的应力腐蚀性能(KISCC=32.1 MPa.m1/2)比轧制板(KISCC=22.1 MPa.m1/2)高;锻造板的{100}晶粒取向密度较低;第二相的大小及分布是决定该合金腐蚀性能的关键..     

Cryogenic deformation microstructures of 32Mn–7Cr–1Mo–0.3N austenitic steels

The cryogenic deformation microstructures of impact and tensile specimens of 32Mn–7Cr–1Mo–0.3N austenitic steel were investigated using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the deformation microstructures of the impact specimens are mainly composed of stacking faults, network dislocation, slip bands, and a few mechanical twins and -martensite. These microstructures cross with each other in a crystal angle. The deformation microstructures of the tensile specimens consist only of massive slip bands, in which a few mechanical twins and -martenite are located. Because of the larger plastic deformation the slip band traces become bent. All the deformation microstructures are formed on the {111} planes and along the <110> orientation.     

Effect of sulphur and acid soluble aluminium content on grain oriented silicon steel

The effect of sulphur (S) and acid soluble aluminium (Al_s) content on precipitation behaviours, microstructures and textures of hot rolled grain oriented silicon steels were investigated. The results showed that precipitates were mainly MnS and a little amount of MnS–AlN composite. Similar characteristics of precipitates, microstructures and textures were found in specimens containing similarly higher S content and different Al_s content. More fine precipitates, less recrystallisation and more and stronger Goss texture component were presented in specimen containing lower S content. It was not Al_s content but S content that played a key role during hot rolling. High proportion and intensity of Goss texture component were due to the effective inhibiting effect of finely and uniformly dispersed precipitates on dynamic recrystallisation.     

Generation of vacancies in high-speed plastic deformation

In a recent experiment, crystalline metals were subjected to high-speed plastic deformation, and subsequently a number of vacancy clusters were observed without any trace of dislocations. In an effort to explain this result, in the present study fluid-like behavior of solid in ultra-high-speed deformation is considered, and the possibility of spontaneous generation of vacancies analogous to cavitation in high-speed fluid flow is discussed. Similar to a large velocity gradient that induces turbulence in a high-speed fluid flow, large shear stress induced in a solid material during the course of high-speed deformation may generate vacancies instead of dislocations, if the dislocations cannot follow the deformation speed. In this paper, similarities between dislocation in solid and vortex in a fluid discussed, along with similarities between vacancy in a solid and cavitation in fluid, and a mechanism of vacancy production under high-speed plastic deformation of crystalline materials is proposed.     

Dynamic deformation behavior and microstructural evolution during high-speed rolling of Mg alloy having non-basal texture

The dynamic deformation behaviors and resultant microstructural variations during high-speed rolling(HSR) of a Mg alloy with a non-basal texture are investigated. To this end, AZ31 alloy samples in which the basal poles of most grains are predominantly aligned parallel to the transverse direction(TD) are subjected to hot rolling with different reductions at a rolling speed of 470 m/min. The initial grains with a TD texture are favorable for {10–12} twinning under compression along the normal direction(ND); as a result, {10–12} twins are extensively formed in the material during HSR, and this consequently results in a drastic evolution of texture from the TD texture to the ND texture and a reduction in the grain size. After the initial grains are completely twinned by the {10–12} twinning mechanism, {10–11} contraction twins and {10–11}-{10–12} double twins are formed in the {10–12} twinned grains by further deformation.Since the contraction twins and double twins have crystallographic orientations that are favorable for basal slip during HSR, dislocations easily accumulate in these twins and fine recrystallized grains nucleate in the twins to reduce the increased internal strain energy. Until a rolling reduction of 20%, {10–12}twinning is the main mechanism governing the microstructural change during HSR, and subsequently,the microstructural evolution is dominated by the formation of contraction twins and double twins and the dynamic recrystallization in these twins. With an increase in the rolling reduction, the average grain size and internal strain energy of the high-speed-rolled(HSRed) samples decrease and the basal texture evolves from the TD texture to the ND texture more effectively. As a result, the 80% HSRed sample, which is subjected to a large strain at a high strain rate in a single rolling pass, exhibits a fully recrystallized microstructure consisting of equiaxed fine grains and has an ND basal texture without a TD texture component.