Showing papers on "Austenite published in 1978"

Influence of martensite composition and content on the properties of dual phase steels

Abstract: A study has been made of the mechanical properties of dual phase (martensite plus ferrite) structures produced when Fe-Mn-C alloys are quenched from the austenite plus ferrite phase field, so as to give a series of alloys with constant ferrite and martensite compositions but varying percent martensites. It is found that the strength of a dual phase structure is dependent on the ferrite grain size and the volume fraction of martensite, and is independent of the composition and strength of the martensite. In agreement with previous work the ductility of these steels is superior to that for standard HSLA steels at the same tensile strength. As shown in a previous paper the strength and ductility as a function of percent martensite are in agreement with Mileiko’s theory of composites of two ductile phases. This theory and the results indicate that the superior ductility of dual phase steels is largely a consequence of the high strength (fine grained), highly ductile (low interstitial content) ferrite matrix.

Mechanisms of tempered martensite embrittlement in low alloy steels

Abstract: An investigation into the mechanisms of tempered martensite embrittlement (TME), also know as “500°F” or “350°C” or one-step temper embrittlement, has been made in commercial, ultra-high strength 4340 and Si-modified 4340 (300-M) alloy steels, with particular focus given to the role of interlath films of retained austenite. Studies were performed on the variation of i) strength and toughness, and ii) the morphology, volume fraction and thermal and mechanical stability of retained austenite, as a function of tempering temperature, following oil-quenching, isothermal holding, and continuous air cooling from the austenitizing temperature. TME was observed as a decrease in bothKIc and Charpy V-notch impact energy after tempering around 300°C in 4340 and 425°C in 300-M, where the mechanisms of fracture were either interlath cleavage or largely transgranular cleavage. The embrittlement was found to be concurrent with the interlath precipitation of cementite during temperingand the consequent mechanical instability of interlath films of retained austenite during subsequent loading. The role of silicon in 300-M was seen to retard these processes and hence retard TME to higher tempering temperatures than for 4340. The magnitude of the embrittlement was found to be significantly greater in microstructures containing increasing volume fractions of retained austenite. Specifically, in 300-M the decrease inKIc, due to TME, was a 5 MPa√m in oil quenched structures with less than 4 pct austenite, compared to a massive decrease of 70 MPa√m in slowly (air) cooled structures containing 25 pct austenite. A complete mechanism of tempered martensite embrittlement is proposed involving i) precipitation of interlath cementite due to partial thermal decomposition of interlath films of retained austenite, and ii) subsequent deformation-induced transformation on loading of remaining interlath austenite, destabilized by carbon depletion from carbide precipitation. The deterioration in toughness, associated with TME, is therefore ascribed to the embrittling effect of i) interlath cementite precipitates and ii) an interlath layer of mechanically-transformed austenite,i.e., untempered martensite. The presence of residual impurity elements in prior austenite grain boundaries, having segregated there during austenitization, may accentuate this process by providing an alternative weak path for fracture. The relative importance of these effects is discussed.

The deformation behavior of a vanadium-strengthened dual phase steel

Abstract: A study has been made of the mechanical properties of dual phase (martensite plus ferrite) structures produced when a V containing HSLA steel is cooled in a controlled manner from either the austenite or austenite plus ferrite phase fields Such a heat treatment results in the pearlite regions and carbide particles of the standard V steel being replaced by martensite; this leads to a decrease in the yield stress and an increase in ductility while the tensile strength is essentially unchanged The fatigue of dual phase steels is slightly superior in the high strain life (ductility controlled) region and slightly inferior in the low strain life (yield dominated) region when compared to standard V steel The replacement of the pearlite and cementite particles which can nucleate cracks, by more ductile martensite islands results in improved Charpy impact properties The strength and the ductility of the dual phase materials is shown to be in agreement with a theory of composites with two ductile phases This theory then allows one to understand the relative importance of various microstructural features in controlling strength and ductility In this way it is found that the key to the superior elongation (at a constant tensile strength) is largely due to the high strength (fine grained), highly ductile ferrite matrix

Retained austenite and tempered martensite embrittlement

Abstract: The problems of detecting the distribution of small amounts (5 pct or less) of retained austenite films around the martensite in quenched and tempered experimental medium carbon Fe/c/x steels are discussed and electron optical methods of analysis are emphasized. These retained austenite films if stable seem to be beneficial to fracture toughness. It has been found that thermal instability of retained austenite on tempering produces an embrittlement due to its decomposition to interlath films of M3C carbides. The fractures are thus intergranular with respect to martensite but transgranular with respect to the prior austenite. The temperature at which this occurs depends upon alloy content. The effect is not found in Fe/Mo/C for which no retained austenite is detected after quenching, but is present in all other alloys investigated.

Intergranular fracture in 4340-type steels: Effects of impurities and hydrogen

Abstract: A study has been made of the conditions which lead to intergranular brittle fracture in 4340-type steels at an ultra high yield strength level (200 ksi, 380 MPa) in both an ambi-ent environment and gaseous hydrogen. By means of Charpy impact tests on commercial and high purity steels, and by Auger electron spectroscopy of fracture surfaces, it is con-cluded that one-step temper embrittlement (OSTE or “500°F embrittlement”), and low K intergranular cracking in gaseous hydrogen are primarily the result of segregation of P to prior austenite grain boundaries. Segregation of N may also contribute to OSTE. Most, if not all, segregation apparently occurs during austenitization, rather than during tem-pering. Elimination of impurity effects by use of a high purity NiCrMoC steel results in an increase inKth for hydrogen-induced cracking by about a factor of five (to the range 130 to 140 MNm-3/2). These observations are discussed in terms of our understanding of the mechanisms of OSTE and hydrogen-assisted cracking.

Transformation behavior of TRIP steels

Abstract: True-stress (σ), true-strain (e) and volume fraction martensite(f) were measured during both uniform and localized flow as a function of temperature on TRIP steels in both the solution-treated and warm-rolled conditions. The transformation curves(f vs e) of materials in both conditions have a sigmoidal shape at temperatures above Msσ (maximum temperature at which transformation is induced by elastic stress) but approach initially linear behavior at temperatures below Msσ where the flow is controlled by transformation plasticity. The martensite which forms spontaneously on cooling or by stress-assisted transformation below Msσ exhibits a plate morphology. Additional martensite units produced by strain-induced nucleation at shear-band intersections become important above Msσ. Comparison of σ-e andf-e curves indicate that a “rule of mixtures” relation based on the “static” strengthening effect of the transformation product describes the plastic flow behavior reasonably well above Msσ, but there is also a dynamic “transformation softening” contribution which becomes dominant below Msσ due to the operation of transformation plasticity as a deformation mechanism. Temperature sensitivity of the transformation kinetics and associated flow behavior is greatest above Msσ. Less temperature-sensitive TRIP steels could be obtained by designing alloys to operate with optimum mechanical properties below Msσ.

Further considerations on the inconsistency in toughness evaluation of AISI 4340 steel austenitized at increasing temperatures

Abstract: A study has been made of the influence of austenitizing temperature on the ambient temperature toughness of commercial AISI 4340 ultrahigh strength steel in the as-quenched (untempered) and quenched and tempered at 200°C conditions. As suggested in previous work, a systematic trend ofincreasing plane strain fracture toughness(K)Ic anddecreasing Charpy V-notch energy is observed as the austenitizing temperature is raised while the yield strength remains unaffected. This effect is seen under both static and dynamic (impact) loading conditions, and is rationalized in terms of a differing response of the microstructure, produced by each austenitizing treatment, to the influence of notch root radius on toughness. Since failure in all microstructures was observed to proceed primarily by a ductile rupture (microvoid coalescence) mechanism, an analysis is presented to explain these results, similar to that reported previously for stress-controlled fracture, based on the assumption that ductile rupture can be considered to be strain-controlled. Under such conditions, the decrease in V-notch Charpy energy is associated with a reduction in critical fracture strain at increasing austenitizing temperatures, consistent with an observed decrease in uniaxial and plane strain ductility. The increase in sharp-crack fracture toughness, on the other hand, is associated with an increase in “characteristic distance” for ductile fracture, resulting from dissolution of void-initiating particles at high austenitizing temperatures. The microstructural factors which affect this behavior are discussed, and in particular the specific role of retained austenite is examined. No evidence was found that the enhancement of fracture toughness at high austenitizing temperatures was due to the presence of films of retained austenite. The significance of this work on commonly-used Charpy/KIc empirical correlations is briefly discussed.

MECHANICAL STABILITY OF RETAINED AUSTENITE IN TEMPERED 9Ni STEEL

Abstract: The behavior of the thermally stable austenite in the ductile fracture surface layer of a grain-refined and tempered 9Ni steel broken at 77 K was studied through use of Moss-bauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Thin foils revealing the mi-crostructural profile of the fracture surface layer were prepared by electroplating a thick pure iron layer on the fresh fracture surface, then thinning a profile sample through a combination of conventional twin-jet electropolishing and ion milling techniques. The re-sults of both Mossbauer spectroscopy and TEM studies showed that the thermally stable austenite transforms to a dislocated martensite in the deformed zone adjacent to the duc-tile fracture surface. This result suggests that transformation of the retained austenite present in tempered 9Ni steel is compatible with low temperature toughness, at least when the transformation product is a ductile martensite.

Effects of silicon additions and retained austenite on stress corrosion cracking in ultrahigh strength steels

Abstract: A study has been made of the effects of silicon additions and of retained austenite on the stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) behavior of commercial ultrahigh strength steels (AISI 4340 and 300-M) tested in aqueous solutions. By comparing quenched and tempered structures of 4340 and 300-M i) at equivalent strength and ii) at their respective optimum and commercially-used heat-treated conditions, the beneficial role of silicon addition on SCC re-sistance is seen in decreased Region II growth rates, with no change in K’ISCC. The beneficial role of retained austenite is demonstrated by comparing isothermally transformed 300-M, containing 12 pct austenite, with conventionally quenched and tempered structures of 300-M and 4340, containing less than 2 pct austenite, at identical yield strength levels. Here, the isothermally transformed structure shows an order of magnitude lower Region II SCC growth rates than quenched and tempered 300-M and nearly two orders of magnitude lower Region II growth rates than 4340, K ISCC values remaining largely unchanged. The results are discussed in terms of hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms for SCC in martensitic high strength steels in the light of the individual roles of hydrogen diffusivity and carbide type.

Determination of thermal-hardening stress in steels by use of thermoplasticity theory

Abstract: T he problems of quenching-stress analysis are critically reviewed and an adequate simple theory is discussed. The theory accounts for both plasticity and volumetric changes due to phase transformation accompanying the thermal-hardening of a group of simple steels that are characterized by C-shaped time-temperature-transformation diagrams. The volume dilatation in the absence of stress is assumed to be a linear function of the separate specific volumes and weight fractions of the constituents (pearlite, austenite and martensite). With use of the classical relationships of a formal theory of transformation kinetics, the amounts of pearlite and martensite are expressed in terms of the temperature and the temperature-history. The specific forms of such functions are given. In order to account for the influence of phase transformation on plastic properties, the non-isothermal plastic flow-rule is generalized, and a thermal-hardening parameter is introduced which is identified with the amount of pearlite. Variational principles and bounding inequalities associated with the fundamental rate-problem are considered. As an example, the problem for a rapidly, uniformly-cooled half-space is solved. The variations of the residual stress and the final amount of martensite with distance from the outer surface are given, for several values of the rate-of-cooling. The results suggest that the residual stress vanishes on the plane containing approximately 30–35 per cent of martensite.

The microstructure and fracture of a carburized steel

Abstract: The case microstructure and fracture of a coarse-grained 8620 steel carburized to 1 pet surface carbon are quite sensitive to austenitizing conditions. Reheating martensitic speci-mens below theAcm produces in the case a refined austenitic grain size, a very fine mar-tensite, spherical carbide particles and a minimum of retained austenite and microcrack-ing. Overload fracture through the latter microstructure is transgranular and scanning electron microscopy shows both microvoid coalescence around thecarbide particles and an apparent fine cleavage in other areas. As-carburized specimens and specimens re-austenitized above theAcm developed a case microstructure characterized by a coarse austenitic grain structure in which plate martensite with microcracks developed on cool-ing within a large amount of retained austenite. The overload fracture through this mi-crostructure followed a predominately intergranular path and effectively by-passed the retained austenite and microcracked martensite. Auger electron analysis showed that C and P were present on the intergranular fracture surfaces at concentrations above bulk, an observation consistent with literature reports of P segregation during austenitizing.

Method of heat treating high carbon alloy steel parts to develop surface compressive residual stresses

Abstract: A method of developing compressive residual stresses in the surface region of a high carbon steel alloy article is disclosed. The article is made of an alloy having 0.8-1.6% C, 0.2-5% Cr, 0-20% ingredients selected from the group consisting of MN, V, Mo, W, Si, and the remainder Fe. The article is heated in a carburizing atmosphere at 800°-950° C. for 1-2.5 hours, and then quenched to cool the central core of the article at a rate sufficiently fast to suppress the formation of non-martensitic austenite decomposition products, thereby establishing a residual compressive stress gradient proceeding from the surface to a depth of 0.007-0.03 inches.

The role of residual stresses in the mechanical performance of case carburized steels

Abstract: Residual stresses in case carburized steels stem from two major sources, both of which are associated with the (rapid) cooling of the steels from elevated temperatures. The first source is the more rapid cooling rate of the surface of the body, as compared with the rate of the interior. The second is the time lag in the transformation of the austenite on cooling between the high carbon and low carbon portions of the carburized body. The as-carburized residual stress intensities and states are altered to varying degrees dur-ing the course of the tests used to measure the mechanical properties. The significant changes take place not only as the result of the strain of the measurement test itself, but also because of the transformation of any austenite retained in the case of the carburized part, and because of stresses developed within the part by virtue of the rheological inter-actions which occur within the part since it is, in essence, a composite material. The resultant observed mechanical performance of the carburized body is the summation of the intrinsic mechanical properties of the material itself, and the effects of the residual stresses as-carburized, and as-altered by the above phenomena.

The influence of intercritical heat treatment on the temper embrittlement susceptibility of aP-Doped Ni-Cr steel

Abstract: Temper embrittlement of a Ni-Cr steel doped with 0.06 wt pct P aged at 480°C after an intercritical heat treatment (IHT) has been compared with that of the conventionally heat treated steel with a range of prior austenite grain sizes. The IHT virtually eliminated the embrittlement susceptibility, but low temperature brittle fracture was still intergranular. It appears that most of the benefit of IHT in this steel comes from microstructural refinement; however, IHT also reduced the amount of segregation of Ni and P to grain boundaries. This is believed to be connected with partitioning of Cr during IHT.

Method of making high strength, tough alloy steel

Abstract: A high strength, tough alloy steel, particularly suitable for the mining industry, is formed by heating the steel to a temperature in the austenite range (1000°-1100° C.) to form a homogeneous austenite phase and then cooling the steel to form a microstructure of uniformly dispersed dislocated martensite separated by continuous thin boundary films of stabilized retained austenite. The steel includes 0.2-0.35 weight % carbon, at least 1% and preferably 3-4.5% chromium, and at least one other subsitutional alloying element, preferably manganese or nickel. The austenite film is stable to subsequent heat treatment as by tempering (below 300° C.) and reforms to a stable film after austenite grain refinement.

Mechanical and microstructural properties of alloy 800

Abstract: The evolution of microstructural and mechanical properties of alloy 800 with respect to operating conditions of the steam generator tubings of fast breeder reactors have been analyzed and presented. On the microstructural side two phenomena have important influence on the mechanical properties, namely γ′ and carbide precipitation. Gamma prime precipitation occurs in alloy compositions containing ≳0.50 pct Ti + Al, inducing mechanical property changes and, in particular, improving the long term creep resistance. Its growth rate follows the exponential law which, when extrapolated, yields an overaging time beyond 4 × 104 h at ≲550°C. M23C6 carbide precipitation starts in early stages of exposure at 500 to 600°C, being of heterogeneous nature and forming mainly on the grain boundaries. The M23C6 carbides advance perpendicular to the surface of one of the austenite grains, commonly having a γ// M23C8relationship, and occasionally develop into well defined cellular precipitates. On the mechanical side, a sharp creep ductility decline is observed when either, or in particular both, strong γ′ strengthening and discontinuous precipitation develop in the matrix. It is argued that this decline is principally due to the latter phenomenon and is accentuaged by matrix strengthening.

The effect of additives on the eutectoid transformation of ductile iron

Abstract: The eutectoid transformation of austenite in cast iron is known to proceed by both the meta-stable γ → α + Fe3C reaction common in Fe-C alloys of near eutectoid composition, and by the direct γ → α + Graphite reaction, with the graphite phase functioning as a car-bon sink. In addition, the meta-stable cementite constituent of the pearlite can dissolve near the graphite phase (Fe3C → α + Graphite), producing free ferrite. Isothermal trans-formation studies on a typical ductile iron (nodular cast iron) confirmed that all of these reaction mechanisms are normally operative. The addition of 1.3 pct Mn was found to substantially retard all stages of the transformation by retarding the onset of the eutectoid transformation, decreasing the diffusivity of carbon in ferrite, and stabilizing the cemen-tite. Minor additions of Sb (0.08 pct) or Sn (0.12 pct) were found to inhibit the γ →α + Graphite reaction path, as well as the Fe3C → α + Graphite dissolution step, but did not significantly affect the meta-stable γ → α + Fe3C reaction. Scanning Auger microprobe analysis indicated that Sn and Sb adsorb at the nodule/metal interphase boundaries during solidification. This adsorbed layer acts as a barrier to the carbon flow necessary for the direct γ → α + Graphite and Fe3C → α + Graphite reactions. With the graphite phase dis-abled as a sink for the excess carbon, the metal transforms like a nongraphitic steel. The effects of Mn, Sn, and Sb on the eutectoid transformation of ductile iron were shown to be consistent with their behavior in malleable iron.

The isothermal decomposition of austenite in a high purity Iron-Chromium binary alloy

Abstract: The transformation characteristics of a series of high purity iron-chromium alloys, within the γ-loop composition range, have been studied using continuous-cooling dilatometry. An Fe-10 wt pct Cr alloy, which exhibited a relatively slow γ → α transformation, was chosen for detailed investigation by isothermal dilatometry, and by optical and transmission electron microscopy. The TTT diagram exhibited a high-temperature Ccurve in which the transformation products were equiaxed ferrite and Widmanstatten ferrite, the latter developing from perturbations on the α:γ interface. In this range, a ledge mechanism was the predominant mode of ferrite growth. A simple activation energy analysis suggests that the γ→ α reaction is interface controlled, and supports the existence of a “solute-drag” effect by carbon even at low concentrations. Direct quenching of the alloy produced martensite. In the intermediate temperature range, it is proposed that the γ→ α reaction is bainitic in character.

The Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Bainite Formed from Deformed Austenite

Abstract: Deformation of austenite containing 0.85 pct C is shown to significantly increase the ten-sile strength of bainite formed during subsequent transformation. Quantitative metallo-graphic measurements indicate that strengthening is due primarily to an increased dislo-cation density in the ferrite and reduced carbide size, with consequent finer distribution, compared with the bainite formed from undeformed austenite. It is also shown that de-formed austenite transforms to upper bainite at temperatures at least as low as 200°C due to enhanced nucleation and/or growth at slip band heterogeneities generated by the defor-mation process while the only effect on the formation of lower bainite is a retardation of the transformation and reduction of ferrite plate size.

Effect of aluminium nitride particles on hot ductility of steel

Abstract: The loss in hot ductility of the austenitic phase in carbon steels, attributable to the presence of aluminium nitride, has been shown to be dependent on the aluminium nitride particle size. Small particles result in poor ductility, while coarsening of the particles improves the ductility. A loss in hot ductility associated with aluminium nitride has also been shown to occur in a fully austenitic steel. Examination of samples quenched from the test temperature in the case of the austenitic alloys, combined with observations made on thermal etching of the carbon steels to allow the austenitic grain size to be measured, suggests that the influence of aluminium nitride can be explained in terms of austenitic grain-boundary pinning. Small particles which pin the austenitic grain boundaries cause correspondingly poor ductility. However, where the presence of coarse particles results in relatively easy grain-boundary migration, superior hot ductility occurs. The possible influence of aluminium nitride on...