Retained austenite and mechanical properties in bainite transformed low alloy steels

Uniform ductility and formability of low alloy steels can be improved by the transformation plasticity effect of metastable retained austenite. In this work, intercritical annealing followed by bainite transformation resulted in the retention of austenite with sufficient stability for transformation plasticity interactions. The effect of retained austenite on mechanical properties was studied in two low-alloy steels. Bainite transformation was carried out in the range of 400 to 500°C. The strength properties (yield strength and ultimate tensile strength) were more sensitive to bainite isothermal transformation temperature than holding time. Maximum strength properties were obtained for the lower transformation temperatures. On the other hand, high uniform and total elongation values were obtained at lower transformation temperatures but were sensitive to bainite isothermal transformation time. Variations in uniform elongation with holding time were linked to variations in retained austenite stability. Maximum values of uniform elongation occurred at the same holding times as the maximum amount of retained austenite. The same was true for total elongation and ultimate tensile strength. The above results indicate a strong correlation between retained austenite stability and uniform ductility and suggest that further optimisation regarding chemical composition and processing with respect to austenite stabilisation may lead to a new class of triple-phase high-strength high-formability low-alloy steels.     

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.     

Isothermal transformation of austenite to pearlite and upper bainite in eutectoid steel

Austenite containing 0.80 pct C, 0.77 pct Mn is shown to transform isothermally to both pearlite and upper bainite at temperatures between 400 and 600 °C according to independent overlapping C-curves in the isothermal transformation diagram.     

Modelling of austenite stability in low-alloy triple-phase steels

A model for the stability of dispersed austenite in low alloy triple-phase steels has been developed. The model was based on the dislocation dissociation model for classical heterogeneous martensitic nucleation by considering stress effects on the nucleation site potency distribution. The driving force for martensitic transformation has been calculated with the aid of computational thermodynamics. The model allows for the effects of chemical composition of austenite, mean austenite particle size, yield strength of the steel and stress state on austenite stability. Chemical enrichment in C and Mn, as well as size refinement of the austenite particles lead to stabilization. On the contrary, the increase in the yield strength of the steel and triaxiality of the stress state lead to destabilization. The model can be used to determine the microstructural characteristics of the austenite dispersion, i.e. chemical composition and size, for optimum transformation plasticity interactions at the particular stress state of interest and can then be useful in the design of low-alloy triple-phase steels.     

The mechanical stability of austenite in maraging steels

Two different types of retained austenite were encountered in maraging steels: one obtained by the usual overaging/reversion process, and was found to be mechanically unstable at room temperature; the other, obtained in a sequence of isothermal heat treatments leading to the formation of microsegregational content zones of molybdenum and cobalt in the lath-martensite, and was found to be mechanically stable at room temperature (RT). In the unstable case the austenite transformed to martensite upon cold working at RT. In the stable case, as was shown by careful Mössbauer-effect spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies, the amount of retained austenite was not affected by the cold-working at RT, whereas some amount of the martensite was transformed into a ferromagnetic-type of austenite. Complementary studies by electron diffraction have shown that both Kordjumov-Sachs and Nishiyama crystallographic orientation relationships may exist between austenite and martensite, depending on the local molybdenum and cobalt segregational contents in the lath martensite. The appearance of ferromagnetic austenite, as well as other segregational effects observed by the Mössbauer-effect spectroscopy are discussed.     

AM对低碳贝氏体钢等温相变和显微组织的影响

摘要：设计了马氏体起始相变温度（Ms）以上和以下5个不同温度等温淬火实验,研究了Ms以上和以下温度等温淬火对低碳贝氏体钢组织和相变动力学的影响。结果表明,试样在Ms以下等温淬火时,保温前生成的先马氏体（AM）显著缩短了等温贝氏体相变孕育期,加速贝氏体形核,细化贝氏体组织。然而,Ms以下等温淬火时,总的等温贝氏体相变动力学与先马氏体的体积分数（fAM）有很大关系,当fAM较低时,AM的形成缩短了贝氏体相变孕育期,加速了贝氏体相变,当fAM过高时,又阻碍贝氏体相变,延长贝氏体总的相变时间。最后,采用Austin Rickett(AR)和Johnson Mehl Avrami Kolgomorov(JMAK)动力学模型对等温贝氏体相变动力学进行分析,结果表明,与AR模型相比,JMAK模型更适用于本研究的实验结果。     

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.     

Chromium partitioning during isothermal transformation of a eutectoid steel

Partitioning of chromium between ferrite and cementite during the isothermal decomposition of austenite to pearlitic or pearlitic/bainitic decomposition products has been studied in a 1.4 wt pct Cr eutectoid steel using analytical electron microscopy on two-stage extraction replicas. Chromium was observed to segregate preferentially to cementite at the pearlite reaction front for temperatures in the range 730 to 550 °C. Although the extent of partitioning decreased with decreasing reaction temperature, a no-partition temperature could not be identified for the steel. It is clear that previous studies on thin foils have underestimated the temperature range over which partitioning of chromium can occur. At high reaction temperatures measured values of pearlite growth rates were found to be in excellent agreement with those calculated, using the assumption that phase boundary diffusion of chromium was rate controlling. At lower reaction temperatures models based on volume diffusion of carbon and on phase boundary diffusion of chromium both gave reasonable predictions of measured growth rates. However, it seems likely that solute drag effects influence pearlite growth at temperatures in the austenite bay region which the chromium addition produces in the T.T.T. diagram. Measurements made on upper bainite which co-existed with pearlite following transformation at 500 and 550 °C showed that preferential partitioning of chromium to cementite did not occur during this reaction. Formerly Graduate Student, University of Manchester     

Ferrite and bainite in alloy steels

The addition of alloying elements even in small concentrations can alter the properties and structure of ferrite and bainite. The various morphologies of ferrite-carbide aggregates are surveyed including alloy pearlite, fibrous carbide eutectoids and precipitation of fine alloy carbides atγ-α interfaces. Modern ideas on the morphology and growth kinetics of ferrite and upper and lower bainite are also summarized. Using this information, an attempt is made to rationalize subcritical transformations of austenite in low alloy steels. Basic factors influencing the strength of alloy ferrites are discussed, leading to an examination of structure-mechanical property relationships in ferrite and bainite. Finally the exploitation of the ferrite and bainite reactions to produce useful alloy steels by direct transformation of austenite is explored.     

The isothermal diagram of transformation of the residual austenite by tempering

Bertold Vinokur, formerly Professor, Institute of Casting Problems, Academy of Science of the Ukraine, Kiev, the Ukraine, recently relocated to the United States.     

低碳钢淬火等温碳配分中粒状贝氏体组织演变及性能

利用彩色金相、扫描电镜及拉伸实验等方法,研究了IQPB热处理工艺下低碳硅锰钢在450℃时不同等温时间淬火碳配分工艺对其组织及力学性能影响。结果表明,经不同时间等温碳配分工艺处理,实验钢显微组织基本由粒状贝氏体及粒状组织构成。当配分时间在200~600s时,晶界边缘大块状M/A岛数量逐渐减少,但细小颗粒状M/A岛数量逐渐增多并趋于有序化排列,导致抗拉强度升高,伸长率降低。随碳配分时间延长,细小颗粒状M/A岛又趋于弥散化排列,并且当碳配分时间大于1 200s时出现无碳化物板条贝氏体,其贝氏体板条间的薄膜状残余奥氏体更加稳定,同时受弥散排列的细小颗粒状M/A岛影响,伸长率得到提高,抗拉强度减少。     

Paraequilibria in the Fe-Si-C system and their relation to the bainite transformation in steels

The thermodynamic properties of silicon-containing cementite and ε carbide are estimated, and the results obtained are used to perform the thermodynamic calculation of paraequilibria in the Fe-Si-C system. Even a relatively low silicon content is shown to substantially change the positions of virtually all boundaries of phase fields in the Fe-C phase diagram. The relation between the paraequilibria and bainite transformation was analyzed. The maximum supersaturation of retained austenite is found to be controlled by a thermodynamic factor, namely, the solubility of the paraequilibrium cementite. The thermodynamic specific features also cause the differences in the mechanisms of carbide precipitation from the α and γ phases in the absence of silicon redistribution: only cementite can precipitate from austenite, whereas both cementite and ε carbide can precipitate from bainitic ferrite.     

Multiphase microstructure and property of low carbon bainite/ferrite steel by quenching and carbon partitioning

The multiphase microstructure and properties of low carbon steel by IQ&PB process under different partitioning temperatures and time were studied by means of SEM, EPMA, XRD and tensile testing. Results show that the microstructures of experimental steel consist of ferrite, bainite and retained austenite. With the increase of the holding time in two- phase region, the C and Mn contents apparently increase in martensite which transformed from austenite, and C and Mn content are 1. 47 times and 1. 16 times than average value of the base. With the decrease of the quenching and partitioning temperature, the volume fraction of the bainite increases, the microstructure is refined, and the content of M/A islands increases. With the temperature and time increased, the volume fraction of retained austenite at room temperature increases, the tensile strength decreases, the total elongation increases, and work hardening behavior occurrs continuously. When the partitioning time is 30min and the partitioning temperature is 400??, the tensile strength of the steel is 1107MPa, the elongation is 24%, the product of strength and elongation reaches above 26568MPa??%.     

Self-organizing phenomena in bainite steels

Based on an analysis of existing data and our own research results, we made the following scientific hypothesis: a decrease in the lattice parameter for iron due to the effect of two factors — negative temperatures and silicon content — for t_test < t_Si and [Si] > 2.2% causes embrittlement of the iron (KCU = 0 J/cm²) due to dominance of covalent forces. By causing the regular occurrence of new covalent binding forces between iron atoms, silicon contents in excess of the [Si] > 0.50% threshold in iron and Fe-C bainite alloys give rise to subsequent self-organizing phenomena, the development of new bifurcations (abrupt increases in hydrogen solubility and in the amount of austenite in the alloy; formation of two supersaturated solid solutions 〈α+γ〉; occurrence and reversal of “rejuvenation”). This hypothesis provides scientific explanations not only for the processes described above, but also for processes related to graphitization, weldability, floccene formation, achievement of high strength, etc. This scientific hypothesis will become the basis for new approaches in existing areas, e.g., for development of iron-based hydrogen-storage alloys (HSAs).     

The influence of austenite strength upon the austenite-martensite transformation in alloy steels

The resistance of austenite to plastic deformation (austenite flow stress) was measured using a high temperature tensile apparatus. The flow stress was then correlated with the M_s temperature as determined magnetically during subsequent cooling. In one part of the study, the flow stress of the austenite was varied only by work hardening the austenite, allowing the austenite composition, which is known to affect M_s, to be held constant. A decrease in M_s temperature with increasing austenite flow stress was observed. This observation was supported by the observation of a decrease in the amount of austenite transformed at 25°C. In the other part of the study, a series of alloy steels of different chemical compositions was tested. A decrease in M_s temperature with increasing austenite flow stress was again observed. Strengthening of austenite by plastic deformation was shown not to change the chemical driving force for transformation. The effect of deformation on M_s temperature thus results from its influence on either the nucleation or the growth process. While the effect of austenite deformation on martensite nucleation is uncertain, specific nucleation models can account for only approximately one-third of the nonchemical free energy change which accompanies transformation. A proposal, consistent with the observations, was made that the energy expended for the deformation of austenite during martensite plate growth could reasonably account for a substantial part of the nonchemical free energy change.     

Effect of bainite transformation and retained austenite on mechanical properties of austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel

Austempered ductile iron (ADI) has excellent mechanical properties, but its Young's modulus is low. Austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel (AGS) has been developed in order to obtain a new material with superior mechanical properties to ADI. Its carbon content (approximately 1.0 pct) is almost one-third that of a standard ADI; thus, the volume of graphite is also less. Young's modulus of AGS is 195 to 200 GPa and is comparable to that of steel. Austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel has an approximately 200 MPa higher tensile strength than ADI and twice the Charpy absorbed energy of ADI. The impact properties and the elongation are enhanced with increasing volume fraction of carbon-enriched retained austenite. At the austempering temperature of 650 K, the volume fraction of austenite is approximately 40 pct for 120 minutes in the 2.4 pct Si alloy, although it decreases rapidly in the 1.4 pct Si alloy. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that appropriate quantity of silicon retards the decomposition of the carbon-enriched retained austenite. For austempering at 570 K, the amount of the carbon-enriched austenite decreases and the ferrite is supersaturated with carbon, resulting in high tensile strength but low toughness. This article is based on a presentation made during TMS/ASM Materials Week in the symposium entitled “Atomistic Mechanisms of Nucleation and Growth in Solids,” organized in honor of H.I. Aaronson’s 70th Anniversary and given October 3–5, 1994, in Rosemont, Illinois.