Linxiu Du

Bio: Linxiu Du is an academic researcher from Northeastern University (China). The author has contributed to research in topics: Austenite & Martensite. The author has an hindex of 24, co-authored 104 publications receiving 1803 citations. Previous affiliations of Linxiu Du include Northeastern University.

Microstructural characteristics and toughness of the simulated coarse grained heat affected zone of high strength low carbon bainitic steel

Abstract: The correlation of microstructural characteristics and toughness of the simulated coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ) of low carbon bainitic steel was investigated in this study. The toughness of simulated specimens was examined by using an instrumented Charpy impact tester after the simulation welding test was conducted with different cooling times. Microstructure observation and crystallographic feature analysis were conducted by means of optical microscope and scanning electron microscope equipped with electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) system, respectively. The main microstructure of simulated specimen changes from lath martensite to coarse bainite with the increase in cooling time. The deterioration of its toughness occurs when the cooling time ranges from 10 to 50 s compared with base metal toughness, and the toughness becomes even worse when the cooling time increases to 90 s or more. The MA (martensite–austenite) constituent is primary responsible for the low toughness of simulated CGHAZ with high values of cooling time because the large MA constituent reduces the crack initiation energy significantly. For crack propagation energy, the small effective grain size of lath martensite plays an important role in improving the crack propagation energy. By contrast, high misorientation packet boundary in coarse bainite seems to have few contributions to the improvement of the toughness because cleavage fracture micromechanism of coarse bainite is mainly controlled by crack initiation.

Effect of welding heat input on microstructures and toughness in simulated CGHAZ of V-N high strength steel

Abstract: For the purpose of obtaining the appropriate heat input in the simulated weld CGHAZ of the hot-rolled V–N microalloyed high strength S-lean steel, the microstructural evolution, hardness, and toughness subjected to four different heat inputs were investigated. The results indicate that the hardness decreases with increase in the heat input, while the toughness first increases and then decreases. Moderate heat input is optimum, and the microstructure is fine polygonal ferrite, granular bainite, and acicular ferrite with dispersive nano-scale V(C,N) precipitates. The hardness is well-matched with that of the base metal. Moreover, the occurrence of energy dissipating micromechanisms (ductile dimples, tear ridges) contributes to the maximum total impact energy. The detrimental effect of the free N atoms on the toughness can be partly remedied by optimizing the microstructural type, fraction, morphologies, and crystallographic characteristics. The potency of V(C,N) precipitates on intragranular ferrite nucleation without MnS assistance under different heat inputs was discussed.

Analysis of martensite–austenite constituent and its effect on toughness in submerged arc welded joint of low carbon bainitic steel

Abstract: Martensite–austenite (M–A) constituent formed during welding is generally recognized as an important factor to decrease the toughness of welded joint. In this article, the morphology and chemical composition of M–A constituent in the low carbon bainitic steel welded joint was analysed in detail by means of optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope with electron probe microanalysis. The experimental results show that the M–A constituent formed in the different sub-zones presents different morphologies and different amounts. The maximum amount of M–A constituent occurs in the coarse grained heat affected zone (HAZ). It is evident that the carbon atoms segregate on the M–A constituent and carbon concentration on the slender M–A constituent is higher than that on the massive M–A constituent. Meanwhile, the distribution profile of silicon on the M–A constituent shows an obvious inhomogeneity. Most of M–A constituents have a twinned structure and/or a high dislocation density. According to impact testing results, the crack initiation energy in the HAZ specimens deteriorates significantly because the large M–A constituent can assist the formation of cleavage crack. On the other hand, the coarse prior austenite grain in the HAZ lowers the crack propagation energy.

Transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) in advanced steels: A review

Abstract: The transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) in advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) is reviewed, where the main concepts and the recent progress in the processing and properties of AHSS are introduced. The metastable austenitic stainless and multiphase TRIP-assisted steels, as well as the more recent third generation AHSS grades, namely the medium-Mn and quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels, are critically discussed. These steels utilize the TRIP effect and the enhanced work-hardening rate through the transformation of (retained) austenite in their microstructures to martensite during plastic deformation for the improvement of strength-ductility balance, which make them especially suitable for the automotive industry to be used in the lightweight car body for addressing the safety, fuel consumption, and air pollution issues. The kinetics of strain-induced martensitic transformation (SIMT) as well as the effects of chemical composition, grain size, deformation temperature, strain rate, and deformation mode on the austenite stability are reviewed. The effects of holding temperature and time during the isothermal bainitic transformation (IBT) in TRIP-aided steels, during the austenite-reverted-transformation (ART) annealing in medium-Mn steels, and during the quenching and partitioning steps in the Q&P steels are critically discussed towards enhancement of the amount of retained austenite and optimization of strength-ductility trade off. The alternative thermomechanical processing routes as well as the modified grades such as δ-TRIP and quenching-partitioning-tempering steels are also introduced.

Microstructure and Local Brittle Zone Phenomena in High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel Welds

Abstract: This study is concerned with a correlation between the microstructure and the local brittle zone (LBZ) phenomena in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel welds. The influence of the LBZ on toughness was investigated by means of simulated heat-affected zone (HAZ) tests as well as welded joint tests. Micromechanical processes involved in microvoid and cleavage microcrack formation were also identified using notched round tensile tests and subsequent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The LBZ in the HAZ of a mUltipass welded joint is the intercritically reheated coarse-grained HAZ whose properties are strongly influenced by metallurgical factors such as an effective grain size and high-carbon martensitic islands: The experimental results indicated that Charpy energy was found to decrease monotonically with increasing the amount of martensitic islands, confirming that the martensitic island is the major microstructural factor controlling the HAZ toughness. In addition, microvoids and microcracks were found to initiate at the interface between the martensitic island and the ferrite matrix, thereby causing the reduction in toughness. These findings suggest that the LBZ phenomena in the coarse-grained HAZ can be explained by the morphology and the amount of martensitic islands.