Electron microscopy and hardness study of a semi-solid processed 27 wt%Cr cast iron

A semi-solid processed 27 wt%Cr cast iron was studied by electron microscopy and its microstructure was related to the hardness. In the as-cast condition, the primary proeutectic austenite was round in shape while the eutectic M₇C₃ carbide was found as radiating clusters mixed with directional clusters. Growth in the [0 0 1]M₇C₃ with planar faces of {0 2 0}M₇C₃ and was usually observed with an encapsulated core of austenite. Destabilisation heat treatment followed by air cooling led to a precipitation of secondary M₂₃C₆ carbide and a transformation of the primary austenite to martensite in the semi-solid processed iron. Precipitation behaviour is comparable to that observed in the destabilisation of conventional cast iron. However, the nucleation of secondary M₂₃C₆ carbide on the eutectic M₇C₃ carbide was observed for the first time. Tempering after destabilisation led to further precipitation of carbide within the tempered martensite in the eutectic structure. The maximum hardness was obtained after destabilisation and tempering heat treatment due to the precipitation of secondary carbides within the martensite matrix and a possible reduction in the retained austenite.     

热作模具钢DM的高温稳定性和热疲劳性能

研究了热作模具钢DM的高温稳定性和热疲劳性能。结果表明,DM钢在620℃热稳保温过程中马氏体板条内的薄片状M₃C型碳化物逐渐向条块状M₇C₃型碳化物转变,在板条的边界生成M₇C₃、M₂₃C₆型碳化物。DM钢的短循环周次热疲劳性能受控于位错重排和湮灭,长循环周次热疲劳性能受控于碳化物的粗化程度。DM钢中M₃C、M₇C₃、M₆C型碳化物的生成自由能分别为27765.5 J/mol、3841.5 J/mol、-7138.1 J/mol,表明在热稳保温与热疲劳试验过程中碳化物的演变机理一致,发生了M3C→M7C3→M6C类型演变。     

TEM study on precipitation and transformation of secondary carbides in 16Cr–1Mo–1Cu white iron subjected to subcritical treatment

High chromium white irons solidify with a substantially austenitic matrix supersaturated with chromium and carbon. The subcritical heat treatment can destabilize the austenite by precipitating chromium-rich secondary carbides and other special carbides. In the as-cast condition the eutectic carbides are (Fe,Cr)₇C₃ and (Fe_4.3Cr_2.5Mo_0.1)C₃. The initial secondary carbide precipitated is (Fe,Cr)₂₃C₆ after heat-treating at 853 K for 10 h. There are MoC, Fe₂MoC and -carbide precipitating, and (Fe,Cr)₂₃C₆ transforms to M₃C after 16 h at 853 K. The -carbide and (Fe,Cr)₂₃C₆ accomplish transformation to M₃C and the matrix changes from martensitic to pearlitic after 22 h at 853 K. Thereby, in the subcritical heat treatment process, the initial secondary carbide precipitated is (Fe,Cr)₂₃C₆, followed by -carbide, MoC and Fe₂MoC. In addition, there are two in situ transformations from (Fe,Cr)₂₃C₆ and -carbide to M₃C carbides.     

Microstructural characterization of high-carbon ferrochromium

Light optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used for high-carbon ferrochromium microstructural analysis. Different microstructures were observed for industrially and laboratory-produced ferroalloys. Primary carbides of M₇C₃ with chromium ferrite were found in the industrially produced, slowly solidified, and cooled ferroalloy, while primary M₇C₃ carbides accompanied a eutectic mixture of M₇C₃ carbides and chromium ferrite in the laboratory-melted and in the water-solidified and water-cooled materials. Different microstructural arrangements are directly related to the friability properties of this material, which characterizes its resistance to abrasion on handling and impact. In ferrochromium upgraded by carbon content reduction, the eutectic M₇C₃ hexagonal carbides are partly replaced by M₂₃C₆ dendritic carbides. The presence of dendritic carbides in the ferrochromium eutectic microstructure can be interpreted as a proof of a lower carbon content, raising the commercial value of the ferroalloy. The hexagonal M₇C₃ carbides exhibited a central hollow along the longitudinal axis, and on metallographic samples they looked like screw nuts. A model of the solidification mechanism for such crystals is proposed.     

The effect of niobium on the microstructure of ferritic stainless steel

The effect of different amounts of Nb and of homogenization on the ferritic stainless steels containing 17–18 wt.% Cr was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). It was observed that M₂₃C₆, NbC and sigma phase formed in these steels. In addition, the formation of Nb₂C was observed in the sample containing 3.0 wt.% Nb. While the amount of Nb increased from 0.5 to 3.0 wt.% Nb, the microhardness of the matrix and the amount of M₂₃C₆ decreased and the toughness of the samples increased. After homogenization, the increase in the toughness of the samples containing 1.5–3.0 wt.%Nb was considerable and impressive.     

A Metallographic Study of the High-Temperature Decomposition of Austenite in Alloy Steels Containing Mo and Cr

Optical and electron microscopy have been used to study the complex microstructures developed during the isothermal decomposition of austenite above 550°C in Fe-4Mo-0.2C and Fe-10Cr-0.4C alloy steels. As the transformation temperature is decreased, the decomposition products change from the disordered growth of nodular alloy pearlites to blocky ferrite structures containing fine dispersions of alloy carbide, and finally to acicular ferrite structures also containing alloy carbide. The branched M₆C and M₂₃C₆ of the high-temperature pearlite is replaced by Mo₂C and M₇C₃ with a fibrous or lath morphology in the lower temperature structures. The decomposition microstructures are explained in terms of a model which takes account of the growth of particular alloy carbides at the interfaces of ferrite allotriomorphs, where the growth mechanism, and hence the morphology, is sensitive to transformation temperature.     

淬火温度对含铜5Cr15MoV马氏体不锈钢性能的影响

将含铜5Cr15MoV马氏体不锈钢在不同温度热处理并使用光学显微镜(OM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、硬度测试和电化学测试等手段对其表征,研究了淬火温度对其组织、硬度以及耐蚀性能的影响。结果表明,铜元素的添加提高了材料中残余奥氏体的体积分数,而使其硬度降低。淬火后钢中的未溶碳化物为fcc结构的富铬M₂₃C₆型碳化物,铜元素的添加对5Cr15MoV马氏体不锈钢中碳化物的尺寸和形貌没有明显的影响,但是使其耐蚀性能略微降低。随着淬火温度从1000℃提高到1100℃,未溶碳化物逐渐减少,耐蚀性提高。残余奥氏体的含量也随着淬火温度的提高而增多,碳化物与残余奥氏体的共同作用使淬火后钢的硬度曲线呈抛物线状并在1050℃达到最大值。     

Microstructure of Fe-Cr-C Hardfacing Alloys with Additions of Nb, Ti and, B

The abrasive wear of machine parts and tools used in the mining, earth moving, and transporting of mineral materials can be lowered by filler wire welding of hardfacing alloys. In this paper, the microstructures of Fe-Cr-C and Fe-Cr-C-Nb/Ti hardfacing alloys and deposits and those of newly developed Fe-Cr-C-B and Fe-Ti-Cr-C-B ones are described. They show up to 85 vol.% of primarily solidified coarse hard phases; i.e., Carbides of MC-, M₇C₃-, M₃C-type and Borides of MB₂-, M₃B₂-, M₂B-, M₃B-, M₂₃B₆-type, which are embedded in a hard eutectic. This itself consists of eutectic hard phases and a martensitic or austenitic metal matrix. The newly developed Fe-Cr-C-B alloys reach hardness values of up to 1200 HV and are harder than all purchased ones. The primary solidification of the MB₂-type phase of titanium requires such high amounts of titanium and boron that these alloys are not practical for manufacture as commercial filler wires.     

Phase evolution in P92 and E911 weld metals during ageing

Phase evolution in the weld metals of P92 and E911 steels weld joints were studied during ageing at 625 °C for up to 9000 h. The phases: ferrite + M₂₃C₆ + MX + Laves found by means of analytical TEM in the annealed states agree with the results of the thermodynamic calculation of equilibrium phases. The cross-weld hardness values, HV10, after 1000, 3000, and 9000 h ageing overlap each other and are approximately 15 units below that of the post-weld heat-treated (PWHT) state. Charpy impact energy with the notch at the centerline of the weld metal was measured. Its values decrease after ageing from approximately 60–80 to 12 J compared to the PWHT state. In 9–12%Cr steel with W this phenomenon can be explained by a priori heterogeneity in the weld metal, its large former austenite grain size, the precipitation and growth of M₂₃C₆ and Laves phase particles on grain and packet boundaries.     

Effect of tempering temperature on Z-phase formation and creep strength in 9Cr–1Mo–V–Nb–N steel

The effect of the tempering temperature on Z-phase formation and creep strength in 9Cr–1Mo–V–Nb–N steel was examined with particular attention to the precipitation sequence of MX, M₂X, and Z-phase during creep exposure. Tempering at a lower temperature provided a high dislocation density and a fine lath structure. Tempering at 953, 1003, and 1038 K provided [M₂₃C₆, M₂X, NbX], [M₂₃C₆, M₂X, NbX, VX], and [M₂₃C₆, NbX, VX] phases, respectively. The creep strength of steel tempered at 953 K was the highest among the steels studied, even in the long term. No large decrease in creep strength was observed in steel tempered at 953 K. The Z-phase was observed after long-term creep in steel tempered at 1003 or 1038 K. In steel tempered at 953 K, a VX rather than a Z-phase formed during creep, and this was accompanied by consumption of M₂X. Retardation of the Z-phase formation can retard the creep strength degradation in steel tempered at 953 K.     

SnO2@Ti3C2Tx 负极材料的制备及其应用

通过超声辅助和低温热处理在二维Ti₃C₂T_x 纳米片层间原位生长SnO₂纳米颗粒,制备出纳米结构的SnO₂@Ti₃C₂T_x 复合材料。使用X射线衍射、X射线光电子能谱和高分辨透射电子显微镜等手段对其表征,研究了这种材料的结构和性能。结果表明,SnO₂纳米粒子密集分布在Ti₃C₂T_x 片层表面与片层之间,Ti₃C₂T_x 纳米薄片突出的限制效应和良好的类石墨层状结构抑制了SnO₂纳米粒子的体积膨胀和团聚,加速了锂离子和电子的跃迁。同时,嵌入在片层之间的SnO₂纳米粒子防止纳米片层在锂插入/脱出过程中重新堆积,使Ti₃C₂T_x 基体的纵向结构稳定性提高。SnO₂@Ti₃C₂T_x 复合材料两组分之间的协同效应,使其具有良好的倍率性能与长循环性能。     

Study of microstructural and mechanical properties of weld heat affected zones of 2024-T3 aluminium using Gleeble simulation

Abstract

The effect of the microstructural properties on the mechanical properties of welding thermal cycles and post-weld heat treatment of the heat affected zone (HAZ) in 2024-T3 aluminium alloy has been investigated. Gleeble HAZ simulation, differential scanning calorimetry, TEM and tensile test have been utilised to investigate the regions representative of HAZ microstructures. The decay of strength in the weld HAZ is primarily due to the precipitation and coarsening of stable S phases. The welded HAZ in the region at peak temperature of 414°C has the lowest strength after natural aged temper. Post-weld T81 artificial aging (PWAA-T81) heat treatment at 190°C for 12 h has no effect on improving the HAZ strength; the HAZ strength of 2024-T3 alloy obtained by PWAA-T81 treatment is less than that obtained by natural aging, and its lowest strength is shifted to the region of the peak temperature, which is 452°C. Scanning electron microscopy observation reveals that the fracture mode changes from transgranular to intergranular failure when the 2024 specimen is exposed to a thermal cycle up to a peak temperature of 550°C. This is caused by the liquation of grain boundary segregates or formation of a eutectic structure while the specimen is subjected to high temperature thermal cycles during welding, which results in a decrease in the strength and ductility of the grain boundary. It is also shown that the decrease in ductility in this high temperature HAZ cannot be improved using the PWAA-T81 heat treatment.     

Al/Mo-C中间层对锆合金表面Zr2Al3C4涂层界面性能影响

锆合金表面涂层研究作为提高核燃料包壳事故容错能力的重要技术手段之一, 能够有效解决失水事故下锆水反应的问题。Zr₂Al₃C₄以其优异的抗氧化性能和适用于核环境的化学组分而成为锆合金包壳的候选涂层材料之一。由于Zr₂Al₃C₄涂层与锆合金基底之间的元素扩散以及热膨胀系数不匹配等问题, 在其上制备Zr₂Al₃C₄涂层的相关研究较少。本研究通过磁控溅射结合后续热处理工艺, 以Al/Mo-C作为扩散屏障层, 在锆合金基底上制备Zr₂Al₃C₄涂层。结合X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜等分析手段, 研究了Al/Mo-C中间层对涂层的相和微观结构的影响。结果表明, 在800 ℃退火3 h后, 未添加中间层的涂层开裂, 同时由于Zr-Al-C涂层与基底之间存在明显的元素扩散, 导致Zr₂Al₃C₄无法成相。Al/Mo-C中间层作为扩散屏障, 能够有效阻止退火过程中Zr-Al-C涂层和基底之间的元素扩散, 从而大大降低Zr-Al-C涂层与标准化学量比的偏差, 有利于最终涂层中Zr₂Al₃C₄相的形成。此外, 该扩散屏障层能够抑制Zr₂Al₃C₄涂层在退火过程中产生裂纹, 同时将退火态涂层与锆合金基底的结合力提高30 N。     

Preparation and Properties of Lithium-Doped Ceo By Lithium Azide

Lithium-doped C₆₀ was prepared by the thermal decomposition of lithium azide (LiN₃). The samples of the nominal composition Li₄C₆₀ and Li₈C₆₀ showed a Curie-like behavior of ESR intensity, indicating an insulating state. Inevitably, they were not superconducting without a low-field signal (LFS).     

Study of welding peak temperatures on microstructures and hardness of heat affected zone in 2024-T3 aluminium alloy

Abstract

The influence of welding thermal cycle peak temperatures and post-weld heat treatments on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the heat affected zone (HAZ) for 2024-T3 aluminium alloy have been investigated by Gleeble HAZ simulation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is used to characterise the HAZ microstructures. The welded HAZ in the region of peak temperature 414°C has the lowest hardness after natural aged temper, which is primarily due to the precipitation and coarsening of stable S phases. When the peak temperature of welded HAZ is larger than 414°C, the hardness of HAZ increasing with an increasing peak temperature can be seen, which is due to higher peak temperature thermal cycles treatment inducing the dissolution of precipitations in the matrix, and, after the natural aging treatment, Guinier-Preston (GPB) and GPB2 zones precipitating out in the matrix again can be seen. Post-weld T81 artificial aging (PWAA-T81) heat treatment has no effect on improving the HAZ hardness; the HAZ hardness of the 2024-T3 alloy obtained by PWAA-T81 is less than that obtained by natural aging, and its lowest hardness is shifted to the region of peak temperature, which is 452°C, because overaging induces coarse and sparse amounts of stable S phase.     

Microstructural characterization of weld joints of 9Cr reduced activation ferritic martensitic steel fabricated by different joining methods

This paper presents a detailed electron microscopy study on the microstructure of various regions of weldment fabricated by three welding methods namely tungsten inert gas welding, electron beam welding and laser beam welding in an indigenously developed 9Cr reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel. Electron back scatter diffraction studies showed a random micro-texture in all the three welds. Microstructural changes during thermal exposures were studied and corroborated with hardness and optimized conditions for the post weld heat treatment have been identified for this steel. Hollomon–Jaffe parameter has been used to estimate the extent of tempering. The activation energy for the tempering process has been evaluated and found to be corresponding to interstitial diffusion of carbon in ferrite matrix. The type and microchemistry of secondary phases in different regions of the weldment have been identified by analytical transmission electron microscopy.     

Development of TiOx-bearing steels with superior heat-affected zone toughness

TiO_x steels with superior toughness of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and applicable to a wide range of welding heat inputs have been developed using advance metallurgical techniques. A promising practice in industrial production is adopting a Ti-killing process in which ferro-titanium alloys are utilized as killing agents in an Al-free molten steel. This process creates Ti-oxides with various crystalline structures (referred to as TiO_x) in a steel matrix. These TiO_xinclusions improve the toughness of coarse-grained HAZ by promoting the formation of intragranular acicular ferrite (IAF), which can section an austenite grain into several colonies and refine the effective grain size to fracture resistance. The volume fraction of IAF is closely related to the number of TiO_x inclusions, inclusion diameter, austenite grain size and the hardenability of steels. The favourable conditions for the formation of IAF and the concept of process control are discussed.     

Recrystallization in a directionally solidified cobalt-base superalloy

The recrystallization behavior in a range of annealing temperature from 1020 to 1280 °C in a directionally solidified cobalt-base superalloy was studied. Local recrystallization first appeared at 1040 °C. The recrystallized volume increased rapidly as increasing the annealing temperature. Pinning effect of all carbides (M₂₃C₆, M₇C₃ and MC) was observed and large amount of twin formed at low annealing temperature. The size of the recrystallized grains increased significantly at high annealing temperatures accompanied with the sharp decrease of twin. The effect of annealing temperature and the role of carbide and twin on the development of the recrystallization were discussed.     

WC-氧化石墨烯/Ni复合熔覆层的制备及形成机制

采用真空熔覆技术制备了WC-氧化石墨烯(GO)/Ni复合熔覆层,运用扫描电镜、能谱仪、X射线衍射仪观察并分析在不同温度下熔覆层内显微形貌的变化与物相组成。结果表明:在ZG45表面制备了组织致密、与基体形成良好冶金熔合的WC-GO/Ni复合熔覆层;熔覆层的微观结构组成从表面至基体依次是约1.5 mm厚的复合层、360 μm左右的过渡层、50 μm左右的扩散熔合层和100 μm左右的扩散影响层,其主要组成相有Cr₇C₃、FeNi₃、WC、Cr₂₃C₆、Ni₃Si、C、Fe₇W₆、γ-Ni固溶体等,FeNi₃、Fe₇W₆分散在冶金熔合带,扩散影响区主要组织为珠光体;复合区的物相尺寸小于界面区的物相尺寸,熔覆层形成过程中复合区的金属颗粒变化先于界面区,凝固时熔化不完全的颗粒表面长出团簇物(Cr₇C₃/Cr₂₃C₆),随着保温长大逐渐变成针状物镶嵌在Ni基固溶体中。      

Resistance upset butt welding of austenitic to martensitic stainless steels

In this research, joining austenitic to martensitic stainless steels and effect of welding power on microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint were investigated. Microstructure of the weld was studied using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) linked to SEM was used to determine chemical composition of phases and distribution of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) at the joint interface. Microhardness and tensile strength tests were performed. Finally fracture surface of samples were studied by SEM. Results showed that an interlayer composed of 80% ferrite and 20% martensite has formed at the joint interface and there were three different zones in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of two steels. Different forms of austenite phase including widmanstatten austenite (W_γ), allotriomorphic austenite (A_γ) and intergranular austenite (I_γ), delta ferrite (δ-ferrite) and chromium carbide (Cr₂₃C₆) have formed in the HAZ of austenitic stainless steel. Fractography of tension samples indicated that in all samples fracture occurred in austenitic stainless steel HAZ. The strength and hardness of the joint increased and HAZ length decreased with increasing of welding power.