Experimental investigation of boron steel at hot stamping conditions

Purpose: The aim of the paper is a monographic presentation, based on investigations connected with the elaboration of new kinds of microalloy steels and a technique of heat and thermo-mechanical treatment in the production of a selected group of metallurgical products. Design/methodology/approach: The influence of the chemical composition and metallurgical purity on the homogenisation of austenite was analysed, as well as thermally activated processes and phase transformations in the course of deformation and controlled cooling conditions, concerning micradditives Nb, V, Ti, B and metallurgical products. Findings: The chemical composition of the obtained constructional steels with microadditives was quoted, as well as the technological conditions of forging and rolled products required for industrial purposes. Research limitations/implications: The results of investigations concerning the structure and mechanical properties have been presented, as well as the resistance to fracture, mainly of thick plates and hand-forged and drop-forged products and also elements of sheet structures for the automotive industry, made of AHSS steels. Practical implications: The results of the author’s own investigations concerning microalloy steels indicate the actual possibility of their application in practice in many steelworks, particularly in plants producing semi products and final metallurgical products, among others in hot rolling plants and forging shops, first of all in machine building and automotive industry. Originality/value: The application of modern metallurgical technologies and metalforming has been suggested for selected metallurgical products of microalloy steels of the type HSLA with a ferrite-bainite, bainite or tempered martensite structure and also of HSS steels and UHSS steel with a wide range of mechanical properties and technological formability, which is essential in the case of products of the automotive industry.

Metallurgical products of microalloy constructional steels

Purpose: In the paper, influence of hydrogen on mechanical properties of welded joints from heat-treatable structural XABO 960 steel plates was investigated. Design/methodology/approach: The heat treatment of welded plate specimens was performed, and then the specimens were charged with hydrogen electrolytically generated from 1 N H2SO4 solution. The following studies were carried out: static tensile test, hardness investigations, macroscopic metallographic investigations as well as investigations with the use of a scanning microscope. Findings: Hydrogen embrittlement of welded joints from XABO 960 steel plates was revealed by a distinct decrease of ductility and a slight decrease of strength. On the basis of metallographic investigations, it was found that in a fracture region there are fine pores created by the presence of hydrogen and its displacement due to formed stresses and plastic deformation. It was shown that welded joints are susceptible to hydrogen cracking in the heat affected zone and in the fusion zone. Research limitations/implications: TEM investigations on structure of the steel were predicted. Practical implications: The obtained results can be used for searching the appropriate way of improving the hydrogen embrittlement resistance of welded joints of the heat-treatable structural XABO 960 steel plates. Originality/value: The hydrogen embrittlement of welded joints of the heat-treatable XABO 960 steel plates

Hydrogen embrittlement of welded joints for the heat-treatable XABO 960 steel heavy plates

Purpose: The work presents results of investigation of heat treatment conditions influence on microstructure and crack resistance of C-Mn constructional steels with microaddition of boron assigned to be used in production of high strength steel plates. Design/methodology/approach: Metallographic observations, heat treatment, hardness measurements, impact strength examinations, fractographic analyses of fracture surfaces of test pieces have been performed. Findings: Dispersive particles of interstitial phases formed on dislocations during the plastic deformation, limiting grain growth of austenite, create the possibility to obtain metallurgical products with fine-grained microstructure giving them high strength and guaranteed crack resistance, also at low temperature. Research limitations/implications: Further research of microstructure in transmission electron microscope as well as complementary impact resistance tests at the temperature lower than -60°C are foreseen to be performed. Practical implications: Obtained results of examinations, especially detailed fractographic analysis of fracture surfaces of test pieces together with chemical composition analysis of revealed non-metallic inclusions and precipitations of secondary phases will make contribution to better understanding of cracking mechanisms in the group of high-strength steels. Originality/value: Performed research revealed that investigated steels present high crack resistance also at low temperature. It can be achieved through proper selection of chemical composition and adequate conditions of heat treatment and plastic working. The presence of microadditions of transition metals deriving from IVb and Vb group of periodic classification of the elements with high chemical affinity to nitrogen and carbon allows producing rolled products with high exploitation properties.

The influence of heat treatment on microstructure and crack resistance of boron microalloyed steel plates

High-strength sheet including 2MnB5 Boron and magnesium alloy sheet is the material commonly used in modern machinery, which is easy to induce problems such as excessive rebound, cracking, forming force increase, easy mould wear and the like. The heat analysis of 2MnB5 Boron and magnesium alloy sheet hot stamping forming process and experiments indicate that the transition process from Austenite to Martensite by controlling the sheet heating and cooling temperature is the foundation of heat forming. Only when the cooling rate reaches or surpasses the critical cooling rate, Austenite can be transformed to Martensite directly. Critical cooling rate of sheet is related to the elements of critical water flow rate, mould cooling system design, cooling medium, dented mould medium and the like. Under the condition that the elements of mould structure, cooling system, cooling medium and the like are defined, critical cooling rate is a constant value. As a result, through controlling critical water flow rate, hot forming transition process and hot forming requirements can be guaranteed to overcome the excessive rebound, cracking, forming force increase, easy mould wear and the like in hot forming process.

R. Grzyb

Papers

Boron-treated microalloyed quenched and tempered plates, their structure and properties