The large-scale production of high-Ti steels is limited by the formation of Ti-containing oxides or nitrides in steel-slag reactions during continuous casting.These processes degrade mold flux properties,clog submerge...The large-scale production of high-Ti steels is limited by the formation of Ti-containing oxides or nitrides in steel-slag reactions during continuous casting.These processes degrade mold flux properties,clog submerged entry nozzles,form floaters in the molds,and produce various surface defects on the cast slabs.This review summarizes the effects of nonmetallic inclusions on traditional CaO-SiO_(2)-based(CS)mold fluxes and novel CaO-Al_(2)O_(3)-based(CA)low-or non-reactive fluxes containing TiO_(2),BaO,and B_(2)O_(3)additives to avoid undesirable steel,slag,and inclusion reactions,with the aim of providing a new perspective for research and practice related to balancing the lubrication and heat transfer of mold fluxes to promote smooth operation and reduce surface defects on cast slabs.For traditional CS mold flux,although the addition of solvents such as Na_(2)O,Li_(2)O,and B_(2)O_(3)can enhance flowability,steel-slag reactions persist,limiting the effectiveness of CS mold fluxes in high-Ti steel casting.Low-or non-reactive CA mold fluxes with reduced SiO_(2)content are a research focus,where adding other components can significantly change flux characteristics.Replacing CaO with BaO can lower the melting point and inhibit crystallization,allowing the flux to maintain good flowability at low temperatures.Replacing SiO_(2)with TiO_(2)can stabilize the viscosity and enhance heat transfer.To reduce the environmental impact,fluorides are replaced with components such as TiO_(2),B_(2)O_(3),BaO,Li_(2)O,and Na_(2)O for F-frce mold fluxes with similar lubrication,crystallization,and heat-transfer effects.When TiO_(2)replaces CaF_(2),it stabilizes the viscosity and enhances the heat conductivity,forming CaTiO_(3)and CaSiTiO_(5)phases instead of cuspidine to control crystallization.B_(2)O_(3)lowers the melting point and suppresses crystallization,forming phases such as Ca_(3)B_(2)O_(6)and Ca_(11)Si_(4)B_(2)O_(22).BaO introduces non-bridging oxygen to reduce viscosity and ensure flux flowability at low temperatures.However,further studies are required to determine the optimal mold flux compositions corresponding to the steel grades and the interactions between the various components of the mold flux.In the future,the practical application of new mold fluxes for high-Ti steel will become the focus of further verification to achieve a balance between lubrication and heat transfer,which is expected to minimize the occurrence of casting problems and slab defects.展开更多
Hypervelocity rocket sled systems are critical for testing advanced military technologies,yet track damage at speeds exceeding Mach 5 remains a significant challenge for system reliability and performance.In this stud...Hypervelocity rocket sled systems are critical for testing advanced military technologies,yet track damage at speeds exceeding Mach 5 remains a significant challenge for system reliability and performance.In this study,we investigated the hypervelocity impact response and protection for highstrength U71 Mn or bainitic steel used in rocket sled tracks.Flyer plate impact experiments using a two-stage light-gas gun were conducted to study the hypervelocity collision response,followed by the microstructural characterization via optical microscope,scanning electron microscopy equipped with electron backscatter diffraction to reveal underlying damage mechanisms.Then,the calibrated thermalmechanical coupled finite element simulations using the Johnson-Cook constitutive model and MieGrüneisen equation of state were carried out.Results indicated that bainitic steel exhibits superior impact resistance with predominantly smooth scratch-dominated damage due to its higher ductility.In contrast,U71 Mn suffered significant material spallation and crack propagation arising from brittle fracture mechanisms.Zinc-rich epoxy primer coatings effectively mitigated stress concentration and temperature rise in the substrate at impacting velocities below 2.4 km/s,so as to suppress the microstructural damage such as adiabatic shear bands and dynamic recrystallization.However,coating protection diminished at ultra-high-speed impacts due to the coating failure.Dimensional analysis established quantitative relationships of the gouge damage size to projectile mass,impact velocity,and material yield strength.This study provides in-depth insights into damage mechanisms in hypervelocity rail systems,demonstrating that bainitic steel combined with protective coatings can significantly enhance impact resistance and system reliability,offering valuable guidance for the design and optimization of hypervelocity testing platforms.展开更多
The detection and characterization of non-metallic inclusions are essential for clean steel production.Recently,imaging analysis combined with high-dimensional data processing of metallic materials using artificial in...The detection and characterization of non-metallic inclusions are essential for clean steel production.Recently,imaging analysis combined with high-dimensional data processing of metallic materials using artificial intelligence(AI)-based machine learning(ML)has developed rapidly.This technique has achieved impressive results in the field of inclusion classification in process metallurgy.The present study surveys the ML modeling of inclusion prediction in advanced steels,including the detection,classification,and feature prediction of inclusions in different steel grades.Studies on clean steel with different features based on data and image analysis via ML are summarized.Regarding the data analysis,the inclusion prediction methodology based on ML establishes a connection between the experimental parameters and inclusion characteristics and analyzes the importance of the experimental parameters.Regarding the image analysis,the focus is placed on the classification of different types of inclusions via deep learning,in comparison with data analysis.Finally,further development of inclusion analyses using ML-based methods is recommended.This work paves the way for the application of AIbased methodologies for ultraclean-steel studies from a sustainable metallurgy perspective.展开更多
In 316L austenitic stainless steel,the presence of ferrite phase severely affects the non-magnetic properties.316L austenitic stainless steel with low-alloy type(L-316L)and high-alloy type(H-316L)has been studied.The ...In 316L austenitic stainless steel,the presence of ferrite phase severely affects the non-magnetic properties.316L austenitic stainless steel with low-alloy type(L-316L)and high-alloy type(H-316L)has been studied.The microstructure and solidification kinetics of the two as-cast grades were in situ observed by high temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy(HT-CLSM).There are significant differences in the as-cast microstructures of the two 316L stainless steel compositions.In L-316L steel,ferrite morphology appears as the short rods with a ferrite content of 6.98%,forming a dual-phase microstructure consisting of austenite and ferrite.Conversely,in H-316L steel,the ferrite appears as discontinuous network structures with a content of 4.41%,forming a microstructure composed of austenite and sigma(σ)phase.The alloying elements in H-316L steel exhibit a complex distribution,with Ni and Mo enriching at the austenite grain boundaries.HT-CLSM experiments provide the real-time observation of the solidification processes of both 316L specimens and reveal distinct solidification modes:L-316L steel solidifies in an FA mode,whereas H-316L steel solidifies in an AF mode.These differences result in ferrite and austenite predominantly serving as the nucleation and growth phases,respectively.The solidification mode observed by experiments is similar to the thermodynamic calculation results.The L-316L steel solidified in the FA mode and showed minimal element segregation,which lead to a direct transformation of ferrite to austenite phase(δ→γ)during phase transformation after solidification.Besides,the H-316L steel solidified in the AF mode and showed severe element segregation,which lead to Mo enrichment at grain boundaries and transformation of ferrite into sigma and austenite phases through the eutectoid reaction(δ→σ+γ).展开更多
The low damage resistance and fracture toughness hinder the widespread application of ultrahighstrength dual phase(DP)steels.In this work,we propose a novel strategy to improve the fracture toughness of ultrahigh-stre...The low damage resistance and fracture toughness hinder the widespread application of ultrahighstrength dual phase(DP)steels.In this work,we propose a novel strategy to improve the fracture toughness of ultrahigh-strength DP steels by an order of magnitude without sacrificing the tensile strength.Six ultrahigh-strength DP steels with varying microstructure but comparable tensile strength(>1400 MPa)were prepared via tailoring the heat treatment process after cold rolling.Additionally,finite element(FE)method incorporated with Gurson-Tvergaad-Needleman(GTN)model and cohesive zone model(CZM)is established to simulate the fracture behavior of DP steel.Twelve model DP steels with different ferrite sizes and F/M strength differences are constructed.The combined experiment and simulation results demonstrate that(i)ferrite/martensite(F/M)interface decohesion prevails in all steels,(ii)the ferrite morphology has a strong influence on the fracture toughness of ultrahigh-strength DP steels,(iii)the effects of matrix type,ferrite size,and F/M hardness difference on the fracture toughness are relatively weak,(iv)the exceptional high fracture toughness of plate-like DP steel can be attributed to the crack deflection,crack divider and crack arrester mechanisms induced by F/M interface decohesion.展开更多
High manganese steels(HMS),known for their exceptional strength-ductility balance,are increasingly utilized in dynamic loading applications.This review examines the effects of strain rate on their mechanical propertie...High manganese steels(HMS),known for their exceptional strength-ductility balance,are increasingly utilized in dynamic loading applications.This review examines the effects of strain rate on their mechanical properties and microstructural evolution,focusing on strain rate hardening,adiabatic heating softening,and dynamic strain aging(DSA).The influence of strain rate on yield strength,ultimate tensile strength,strain hardening,and ductility is discussed,highlighting both positive and negative sensitivities across different alloy compositions and strain rate regimes.The strain rate response of various deformation mechanisms,including deformation twinning,dislocation slip,and phase transformation,is examined alongside their influence on microstructural evolution,alloy design,and industrial applications.The intricate role of DSA is also analyzed,emphasizing its contribution to strain rate sensitivity.To optimize HMS for dynamic environments,future research should focus on advanced modeling and processing techniques,in-situ characterization methods,and a deeper understanding of thermally activated processes and stacking fault energy-controlled mechanisms.This review provides insights into strain rate effects,guiding alloy design,and technological advancements of the new HMS.展开更多
Fracture strain becomes critical for the local formability and crash performance of carbody components when the tensile strength exceeds 1000 MPa.Regrettably,high-strength quenching and partitioning(Q&P)steels and...Fracture strain becomes critical for the local formability and crash performance of carbody components when the tensile strength exceeds 1000 MPa.Regrettably,high-strength quenching and partitioning(Q&P)steels and dual-phase(DP)steels always focus on improving the tensile ductility for stretch formability,while ignoring their limited fracture strain.In this work,we explored a novel strategy,i.e.,developing a high fracture strain ferrite-martensite dual-phase steel(HFS-DP)maintaining good strength–ductility balance by suppressing intense strain localization during deformation and enhancing martensite deformability via microstructure design including grain refinement,nano-precipitate hardening in soft ferrite phase,low-carbon and high fraction martensite.HFS-DP demonstrates a remarkable 26%and 47%improvement in tensile ductility and fracture strain,respectively,compared to commercial DP1180 steel with similar ultimate tensile strength.Furthermore,HFS-DP also exhibits a substantial 39%improvement in fracture strain compared to retained austenite-involved commercial QP1180 steel.The detailed processes of strain partitioning,strain localization,and damage formation during deformation were revealed through in-situ scanning electron microscopy(SEM)observation combined with digital image correlation(DIC).The results indicate that the excellent coordinated deformation between ferrite and martensite,coupled with microstructure refinement,effectively suppresses intense strain localization.Moreover,the excellent martensite deformability resulting from the low carbon content also aids in retarding crack formation.This combination effectively suppresses damage initiation and development during deformation,therefore the fracture strain is significantly improved.This study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the strain localization and damage process during tensile deformation of DP steels,but also provides a new perspective on designing ultrahigh strength steels with high ductility and fracture strain.展开更多
With the increasing demand for high-performance metallic materials,the improvement of fatigue strength(FS)has become a crucial issue.This study focuses on the AISI 52100 steel,a material with leading fatigue performan...With the increasing demand for high-performance metallic materials,the improvement of fatigue strength(FS)has become a crucial issue.This study focuses on the AISI 52100 steel,a material with leading fatigue performance and low-cost raw material,aiming to further improve its FS.It is found that the fatigue damage mechanism of 52100 steels with different tensile strengths has undergone significant changes,and the inclusions,mainly nitride and oxide,are key factors limiting the further improvement of FS.Therefore,the size reduction and modification of inclusions were attempted through the rare earth addition and strict control of harmful elements.Combining targeted microstructure adjustment,the FS of the 52100 steel has been further enhanced to~1.6 GPa,exceeding that of other metallic materials(performed in uniaxial tension with a stress ratio of R=0.1),and thus establishing it as a standout for its exceptional performance-to-cost ratio.By clarifying the influences of different types of inclusions on fatigue performance and establishing the correlation between micro-hardness(or strength)and FS,an optimization strategy for FS improvement of the 52100 steel was proposed.The FS has been improved by approximately 187 MPa at most by implementing this strategy.These achievements provide feasible technical approaches and theoretical foundations for the anti-fatigue design of metallic materials.展开更多
Microalloyed steels are extensively utilized in the automotive industry for their superior strength–toughness synergy.Structural components,such as cranks,wheels,and front axles,are subjected to fluctuating or repeti...Microalloyed steels are extensively utilized in the automotive industry for their superior strength–toughness synergy.Structural components,such as cranks,wheels,and front axles,are subjected to fluctuating or repetitive stresses during service,which cause fatigue damage or failure.Therefore,improving the fatigue properties of microalloyed steels is crucial to broaden their applications.An overview of the factors affecting the fatigue properties of microalloyed steels is provided,beginning with a concise description of microalloyed steels,followed by a discussion of key factors,such as microstructure,precipitation,and non-metallic inclusions,that influence fatigue performance.Strategies for enhancing fatigue properties are also explored,including non-metallic inclusion modification,surface treatment,and microstructure tailoring.Modification treatment of non-metallic inclusions can alter their morphology,size,quantity,distribution,etc.,thereby reducing the adverse effect on fatigue performance.The surface treatment enhances resistance to crack initiation by introducing compressive residual stress or refining the surface microstructure.Microstructure tailoring involves various heat treatment processes that can slow fatigue crack growth.Ultimately,the latest developments and future prospects of fatigue properties in microalloyed steels,based on academic research and industrial practices,are also summarized.展开更多
The mechanism of strength and toughness variation in Ti microalloyed steel within the range of 0.04–0.157 wt.%was investigated.By adding 0.13 wt.%Ti,the steel achieves higher strength while maintaining a certain leve...The mechanism of strength and toughness variation in Ti microalloyed steel within the range of 0.04–0.157 wt.%was investigated.By adding 0.13 wt.%Ti,the steel achieves higher strength while maintaining a certain level of elongation and low-temperature impact toughness.With increasing Ti content,the grain size in the steel decreased from 17.7 to 8.9μm.This decrease in grain size is accompanied by an increase in the percentage of low-angle grain boundaries and dislocations,which act as barriers to hinder crack propagation.The Ti microalloyed steel exhibits a 20%increase in yield strength and a 14%increase in tensile strength.The transformation of steel plasticity occurs when the Ti content exceeds 0.102 wt.%.The low-temperature impact toughness of the steel gradually decreases with increasing Ti content.At low Ti content,the low-temperature impact toughness is reduced due to crack initiation by large-size inclusions.At high Ti content,the low-temperature impact toughness of the steel deteriorates due to several factors.These include the narrower tough–brittle transition zone,grain boundary embrittlement caused by small-sized grains,and the decrease in the solid solution strengthening effect.展开更多
Fe-28Mn-(10-12)Al-(0.8-1.4)C(wt.%)steels were designed to investigate the influence of varying Al and C content on precipitation behavior ofκ-carbide and its contribution to the strength of high-Mn low-density steels...Fe-28Mn-(10-12)Al-(0.8-1.4)C(wt.%)steels were designed to investigate the influence of varying Al and C content on precipitation behavior ofκ-carbide and its contribution to the strength of high-Mn low-density steels.Results reveal that both Al and C elements promoteκ-carbide precipitation,with C having a more pronounced effect.In near-rapidly solidified 10Al steel strips,increasing C content from 0.8wt.%to 1.4wt.%raises theκ-carbide size from 9.6 nm to 38.2 nm,accompanied by volume fraction increase from 10.2vol.%to 29.8vol.%.In comparison,the average size and volume fraction ofκ-carbides in 12Al0.8C steel are only 11.4 nm and 17.8vol.%,respectively.Higher Al and C content reduces the lattice mismatch between austenite andκ-carbides,thus promoting nucleation ofκ-carbides.Notably,the increase in C content results in a greater reduction in the Gibbs free energy ofκ-carbide,leading to a stronger driving force forκ-carbide formation.Consequently,as the C content increases from 0.8wt.%to 1.4wt.%,the interaction betweenκ-carbides and dislocations transforms from particle cutting to bypassing,and the maximum precipitation strengthening ofκ-carbides reaches 583 MPa.The construction of the relationship between Al and C content andκ-carbide precipitation in this study would provide valuable insights for alloy design of high-Mn steels.展开更多
This work reveals the significant effects of cobalt(Co)on the microstructure and impact toughness of as-quenched highstrength steels by experimental characterizations and thermo-kinetic analyses.The results show that ...This work reveals the significant effects of cobalt(Co)on the microstructure and impact toughness of as-quenched highstrength steels by experimental characterizations and thermo-kinetic analyses.The results show that the Co-bearing steel exhibits finer blocks and a lower ductile-brittle transition temperature than the steel without Co.Moreover,the Co-bearing steel reveals higher transformation rates at the intermediate stage with bainite volume fraction ranging from around 0.1 to 0.6.The improved impact toughness of the Co-bearing steel results from the higher dense block boundaries dominated by the V1/V2 variant pair.Furthermore,the addition of Co induces a larger transformation driving force and a lower bainite start temperature(BS),thereby contributing to the refinement of blocks and the increase of the V1/V2 variant pair.These findings would be instructive for the composition,microstructure design,and property optimization of high-strength steels.展开更多
The influence of Nb-V microalloying on the hot deformation behavior and microstructures of medium Mn steel(MMS)was investigated by uniaxial hot compression tests.By establishing the constitutive equations for simulati...The influence of Nb-V microalloying on the hot deformation behavior and microstructures of medium Mn steel(MMS)was investigated by uniaxial hot compression tests.By establishing the constitutive equations for simulating the measured flow curves,we successfully constructed deformation activation energy(Q)maps and processing maps for identifying the region of flow instability.We concluded the following consequences of Nb-V alloying for MMS.(i)The critical strain increases and the increment diminishes with the increasing deformation temperature,suggesting that NbC precipitates more efficiently retard dynamic recrystallization(DRX)in MMS compared with solute Nb.(ii)The deformation activation energy of MMS is significantly increased and even higher than that of some reported high Mn steels,suggesting that its ability to retard DRX is greater than that of the high Mn content.(iii)The hot workability of MMS is improved by narrowing the hot processing window for the unstable flow stress,in which fine recrystallized and coarse unrecrystallized grains are present.展开更多
Super duplex stainless steels(SDSSs)and hyper duplex stainless steels(HDSSs),with more alloying elements content,are more corrosion resistant than the standard grades.Progresses of research works on weldability of SDS...Super duplex stainless steels(SDSSs)and hyper duplex stainless steels(HDSSs),with more alloying elements content,are more corrosion resistant than the standard grades.Progresses of research works on weldability of SDSSs and HDSSs in recent years are reviewed in this paper.If proper heat input is provided,SDSSs and HDSSs can be welded with most fusion welding processes,while tungsten inert gas welding is the most popular process.SDSSs and HDSSs are more prone to secondary phases precipitation than the standard and lean grades,and heat input for SDSSs and HDSSs welding is restricted to a smaller range.Matching filler materials are usually recommended for SDSSs and HDSSs welding,rather than Ni-riched ones for standard and lean grades.Nitrogen addition in shielding gas is always beneficial.Post weld heat treatment with slow cooling rate will be harmful.Hot cracking tendency of SDSSs and HDSSs joints is not high,but sometimes they can suffer from hydrogen induced stress cracking.展开更多
Press hardening with manganese-boron steels is a prominent manufacturing technique that allows for reduced weight and expense in automotive construction,while providing enhanced crash performance.Nevertheless,the deve...Press hardening with manganese-boron steels is a prominent manufacturing technique that allows for reduced weight and expense in automotive construction,while providing enhanced crash performance.Nevertheless,the development of a loosely attached oxide layer during press hardening and following additional processing of the layer presents a significant risk to the dimensional precision of the completed product.Here,we develop a new preprocessing approach to address the scale spallation issue by introducing trace amounts of silicate and tungstate into the rinsing solution following pickling.We demonstrate that the pre-deposited membrane promotes the formation of a noticeably thinner,more continuous and stickier oxide scale at high temperatures,enabling the direct application of automobile painting onto the scale.Our research provides an economical remedy to the troublesome scale flaking issue without requiring any modifications to the existing production line,and conveys a thorough comprehension of the mechanism by which the preprocessed membrane resists high-temperature oxidation.展开更多
A series of high-strength wind power steels with various microstructural morphologies was produced by hot-rolled and thermo-mechanical controlled processes.The microstructure,microhardness,and tensile behavior observe...A series of high-strength wind power steels with various microstructural morphologies was produced by hot-rolled and thermo-mechanical controlled processes.The microstructure,microhardness,and tensile behavior observed using in-situ techniques in various types of steels were investigated.The experimental results demonstrated that the 3 microstructural morphologies(band-,net-,and fiber-structures)can be clarified and categorized;each type possesses different tensile strengths,yield behaviors,and strain hardening behaviors.This can be attributed to different strain distribution caused by the structural morphology;band-structure steels exhibit a yield plateau primarily attributed to the relatively weak constraint effect of pearlite on ferrite;net-structure steels display 3 strain hardening stages due to the staged plastic deformation;fiber-structure steels achieve superior strength through their uniform stress distribution.Furthermore,the initial strain hardening rate,transition strain,and uniform elongation were influenced by the features of the constituent phases.Based on these findings,methods for estimating the yield strength and tensile strength of the steels with two phases were discussed and experimentally validated.展开更多
Non-Schmid(NS)effects in body-centered cubic(BCC)single-phase metals have received special attention in recent years.However,a deep understanding of these effects in the BCC phase of dual-phase(DP)steels has not yet b...Non-Schmid(NS)effects in body-centered cubic(BCC)single-phase metals have received special attention in recent years.However,a deep understanding of these effects in the BCC phase of dual-phase(DP)steels has not yet been reached.This study explores the NS effects in ferrite-martensite DP steels,where the ferrite phase has a BCC crystallographic structure and exhibits NS effects.The influences of NS stress components on the mechanical response of DP steels are studied,including stress/strain partitioning,plastic flow,and yield surface.To this end,the mechanical behavior of the two phases is described by dislocation density-based crystal plasticity constitutive models,with the NS effect only incorporated into the ferrite phase modeling.The NS stress contribution is revealed for two types of microstructures commonly observed in DP steels:equiaxed phases with random grain orientations,and elongated phases with preferred grain orientations.Our results show that,in the case of a microstructure with equiaxed phases,the normal NS stress components play significant roles in tension-compression asymmetry.By contrast,in microstructures with elongated phases,a combined influence of crystallographic texture and NS effect is evident.These findings advance our knowledge of the intricate interplay between microstructural features and NS effects and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying anisotropic-asymmetric plastic behavior of DP steels.展开更多
Retained austenite plays a significant role in third-generation advanced high-strength steels (AHSS 3. Gen.), renowned for their excellent combination of strength and ductility. Silicon (Si) is a key element in stabil...Retained austenite plays a significant role in third-generation advanced high-strength steels (AHSS 3. Gen.), renowned for their excellent combination of strength and ductility. Silicon (Si) is a key element in stabilizing retained austenite. However, it introduces challenges in galvannealing and welding processes in Zn-coated steels, such as inhibited Fe-Zn alloying and increased susceptibility to liquid metal embrittlement (LME). This study investigated the mechanism of Si enrichment at the Zn/steel interface and its role in suppressing Fe-Zn interdiffusion during annealing. Using advanced techniques such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic probe tomography, and Thermo-Calc DICTRA simulations, we analyzed the diffusion behavior and microstructural evolution in Zn-coated steels with varying Si contents. Si, driven by its low solubility in liquid Zn and Fe-Zn intermetallic phases, accumulates at the interface, forming a Si-enriched region that significantly suppresses Zn diffusion while permitting limited Fe diffusion. Numerical simulations revealed that the Si-enriched layer forms via the drag effect of the Fe-Zn reaction line, progressively concentrating Si at the interface as Zn diffuses. As annealing progresses, the morphology of the Si-enriched region evolves from layered, cloud-like structures to droplets and elongated dendritic forms, driven by Zn penetration and Fe consumption. These findings provide novel insights into the role of Si enrichment in mitigating LME and optimizing the Zn-coated AHSS 3. Gen., paving the way for advancements in automotive material design.展开更多
A novel plasma torch nitriding technology was applied for the first time to improve the surface properties of M2 high-speed steel by adjusting different experimental parameters.The nitrogen content,precipitate,microst...A novel plasma torch nitriding technology was applied for the first time to improve the surface properties of M2 high-speed steel by adjusting different experimental parameters.The nitrogen content,precipitate,microstructure,mechanical property,and corrosion resistance of the nitrided layer were comprehensively analyzed using an ONH analyzer,scanning electron microscope(SEM),micro-area X-ray diffractometer,transmission electron microscope(TEM),Vickers microhardness tester,high-temperature wear tester,3D profilometer,tensile testing machine,and electrochemical workstation.The research results show that the novel plasma torch nitriding technology can achieve synergistic strengthening of nitrogen,carbon,and alloying element solid solution,precipitation strengthening,and martensitic structure on the surface of M2 high-speed steel.The nitrogen content on the specimen surface increased up to 0.17%,while the size and area of carbides were reduced by 89%and 86%,respectively,indicating a transformation towards fine nitrogen-rich precipitates.Compared to the original M2 steel,the nitrided specimens exhibited significant improvements in overall performance.The hardness increased from 228 HV_(0.2)to a maximum of 795 HV_(0.2),the wear coefficient decreased from a maximum of 0.8 to 0.49,the tensile strength increased from 753 MPa to a maximum of 934 MPa,and the corrosion current density decreased from 1.2×10^(−5)to a minimum of 1.9×10^(−6)A/cm^(2).展开更多
High-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy(HT-CLSM)is considered as a powerful tool for in situ observation of the phase transformation of steels at elevated temperatures.It breaks the limitation that convent...High-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy(HT-CLSM)is considered as a powerful tool for in situ observation of the phase transformation of steels at elevated temperatures.It breaks the limitation that conventional approaches on this aspect can only post-mortem the microstructure at room temperature.The working principle and major functions of HT-CLSM in initial are introduced and the utilization in details with HT-CLSM is summarized,including the behaviors of melting-solidifying,austenite reversion,as well as the austenite decomposition(formation of Widmanstätten,pearlite,acicular ferrite,bainite and martensite)in steels.Moreover,a serie of HT-CLSM images are used to explore the growth kinetic of phase at elevated temperatures with additional theoretical calculation models.Finally,the in situ HT-CLSM observations of phase transformation,combined with post-mortem electron backscatter diffraction analysis,is also summarized to elucidate the crystallographic evolution.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52204345 and 52474361)the Scientific Research Innovation Projects of Graduate Student of Jiangsu province,China(No.KYCX24_4184)。
文摘The large-scale production of high-Ti steels is limited by the formation of Ti-containing oxides or nitrides in steel-slag reactions during continuous casting.These processes degrade mold flux properties,clog submerged entry nozzles,form floaters in the molds,and produce various surface defects on the cast slabs.This review summarizes the effects of nonmetallic inclusions on traditional CaO-SiO_(2)-based(CS)mold fluxes and novel CaO-Al_(2)O_(3)-based(CA)low-or non-reactive fluxes containing TiO_(2),BaO,and B_(2)O_(3)additives to avoid undesirable steel,slag,and inclusion reactions,with the aim of providing a new perspective for research and practice related to balancing the lubrication and heat transfer of mold fluxes to promote smooth operation and reduce surface defects on cast slabs.For traditional CS mold flux,although the addition of solvents such as Na_(2)O,Li_(2)O,and B_(2)O_(3)can enhance flowability,steel-slag reactions persist,limiting the effectiveness of CS mold fluxes in high-Ti steel casting.Low-or non-reactive CA mold fluxes with reduced SiO_(2)content are a research focus,where adding other components can significantly change flux characteristics.Replacing CaO with BaO can lower the melting point and inhibit crystallization,allowing the flux to maintain good flowability at low temperatures.Replacing SiO_(2)with TiO_(2)can stabilize the viscosity and enhance heat transfer.To reduce the environmental impact,fluorides are replaced with components such as TiO_(2),B_(2)O_(3),BaO,Li_(2)O,and Na_(2)O for F-frce mold fluxes with similar lubrication,crystallization,and heat-transfer effects.When TiO_(2)replaces CaF_(2),it stabilizes the viscosity and enhances the heat conductivity,forming CaTiO_(3)and CaSiTiO_(5)phases instead of cuspidine to control crystallization.B_(2)O_(3)lowers the melting point and suppresses crystallization,forming phases such as Ca_(3)B_(2)O_(6)and Ca_(11)Si_(4)B_(2)O_(22).BaO introduces non-bridging oxygen to reduce viscosity and ensure flux flowability at low temperatures.However,further studies are required to determine the optimal mold flux compositions corresponding to the steel grades and the interactions between the various components of the mold flux.In the future,the practical application of new mold fluxes for high-Ti steel will become the focus of further verification to achieve a balance between lubrication and heat transfer,which is expected to minimize the occurrence of casting problems and slab defects.
基金financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program(Grant No.2024YFA1209801)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12302140,12325204)+4 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2023M732794)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China(Grant No.sxzy012023213)the Scientific Research Program of Shaanxi Province(Grant No.2023JC-XJ-02)the Young Talent Support Program of Xi'an Science and Technology Association(Grant No.959202413069)Postdoctoral Fellowship Program(Grade B)of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.GZB20230575)。
文摘Hypervelocity rocket sled systems are critical for testing advanced military technologies,yet track damage at speeds exceeding Mach 5 remains a significant challenge for system reliability and performance.In this study,we investigated the hypervelocity impact response and protection for highstrength U71 Mn or bainitic steel used in rocket sled tracks.Flyer plate impact experiments using a two-stage light-gas gun were conducted to study the hypervelocity collision response,followed by the microstructural characterization via optical microscope,scanning electron microscopy equipped with electron backscatter diffraction to reveal underlying damage mechanisms.Then,the calibrated thermalmechanical coupled finite element simulations using the Johnson-Cook constitutive model and MieGrüneisen equation of state were carried out.Results indicated that bainitic steel exhibits superior impact resistance with predominantly smooth scratch-dominated damage due to its higher ductility.In contrast,U71 Mn suffered significant material spallation and crack propagation arising from brittle fracture mechanisms.Zinc-rich epoxy primer coatings effectively mitigated stress concentration and temperature rise in the substrate at impacting velocities below 2.4 km/s,so as to suppress the microstructural damage such as adiabatic shear bands and dynamic recrystallization.However,coating protection diminished at ultra-high-speed impacts due to the coating failure.Dimensional analysis established quantitative relationships of the gouge damage size to projectile mass,impact velocity,and material yield strength.This study provides in-depth insights into damage mechanisms in hypervelocity rail systems,demonstrating that bainitic steel combined with protective coatings can significantly enhance impact resistance and system reliability,offering valuable guidance for the design and optimization of hypervelocity testing platforms.
基金support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2024YFB3713705)is acknowledgedWangzhong Mu would like to acknowledge the Strategic Mobility,Sweden(SSF,No.SM22-0039)+1 种基金the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education(STINT,No.IB2022-9228)the Jernkontoret(Sweden)for supporting this clean steel research.Gonghao Lian would like to acknowledge China Scholarship Council(CSC,No.202306080032).
文摘The detection and characterization of non-metallic inclusions are essential for clean steel production.Recently,imaging analysis combined with high-dimensional data processing of metallic materials using artificial intelligence(AI)-based machine learning(ML)has developed rapidly.This technique has achieved impressive results in the field of inclusion classification in process metallurgy.The present study surveys the ML modeling of inclusion prediction in advanced steels,including the detection,classification,and feature prediction of inclusions in different steel grades.Studies on clean steel with different features based on data and image analysis via ML are summarized.Regarding the data analysis,the inclusion prediction methodology based on ML establishes a connection between the experimental parameters and inclusion characteristics and analyzes the importance of the experimental parameters.Regarding the image analysis,the focus is placed on the classification of different types of inclusions via deep learning,in comparison with data analysis.Finally,further development of inclusion analyses using ML-based methods is recommended.This work paves the way for the application of AIbased methodologies for ultraclean-steel studies from a sustainable metallurgy perspective.
基金support of the Research Project Supported by Shanxi Scholarship Council of China(2022-040)"Chunhui Plan"Collaborative Research Project by the Ministry of Education of China(HZKY20220507)+2 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(52104338)Applied Fundamental Research Programs of Shanxi Province(202303021221036)Shandong Postdoctoral Science Foundation(SDCX-ZG-202303027,SDBX2023054).
文摘In 316L austenitic stainless steel,the presence of ferrite phase severely affects the non-magnetic properties.316L austenitic stainless steel with low-alloy type(L-316L)and high-alloy type(H-316L)has been studied.The microstructure and solidification kinetics of the two as-cast grades were in situ observed by high temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy(HT-CLSM).There are significant differences in the as-cast microstructures of the two 316L stainless steel compositions.In L-316L steel,ferrite morphology appears as the short rods with a ferrite content of 6.98%,forming a dual-phase microstructure consisting of austenite and ferrite.Conversely,in H-316L steel,the ferrite appears as discontinuous network structures with a content of 4.41%,forming a microstructure composed of austenite and sigma(σ)phase.The alloying elements in H-316L steel exhibit a complex distribution,with Ni and Mo enriching at the austenite grain boundaries.HT-CLSM experiments provide the real-time observation of the solidification processes of both 316L specimens and reveal distinct solidification modes:L-316L steel solidifies in an FA mode,whereas H-316L steel solidifies in an AF mode.These differences result in ferrite and austenite predominantly serving as the nucleation and growth phases,respectively.The solidification mode observed by experiments is similar to the thermodynamic calculation results.The L-316L steel solidified in the FA mode and showed minimal element segregation,which lead to a direct transformation of ferrite to austenite phase(δ→γ)during phase transformation after solidification.Besides,the H-316L steel solidified in the AF mode and showed severe element segregation,which lead to Mo enrichment at grain boundaries and transformation of ferrite into sigma and austenite phases through the eutectoid reaction(δ→σ+γ).
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D program(no.2022YFB3707501)GDAS’Project of Sci-ence and Technology(no.2021GDASYL-20210102002)+1 种基金Guangdong Provincial Project(nos.2022A0505050053,2021B1515120071,and 2020B1515130007)National Natural Science Foundation of China(no.52130102).
文摘The low damage resistance and fracture toughness hinder the widespread application of ultrahighstrength dual phase(DP)steels.In this work,we propose a novel strategy to improve the fracture toughness of ultrahigh-strength DP steels by an order of magnitude without sacrificing the tensile strength.Six ultrahigh-strength DP steels with varying microstructure but comparable tensile strength(>1400 MPa)were prepared via tailoring the heat treatment process after cold rolling.Additionally,finite element(FE)method incorporated with Gurson-Tvergaad-Needleman(GTN)model and cohesive zone model(CZM)is established to simulate the fracture behavior of DP steel.Twelve model DP steels with different ferrite sizes and F/M strength differences are constructed.The combined experiment and simulation results demonstrate that(i)ferrite/martensite(F/M)interface decohesion prevails in all steels,(ii)the ferrite morphology has a strong influence on the fracture toughness of ultrahigh-strength DP steels,(iii)the effects of matrix type,ferrite size,and F/M hardness difference on the fracture toughness are relatively weak,(iv)the exceptional high fracture toughness of plate-like DP steel can be attributed to the crack deflection,crack divider and crack arrester mechanisms induced by F/M interface decohesion.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation(No.52101128)the Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program(No.BE023059)+1 种基金Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2022M710021)the Northeastern University Postdoctoral Research Fund(No.20220202)of China。
文摘High manganese steels(HMS),known for their exceptional strength-ductility balance,are increasingly utilized in dynamic loading applications.This review examines the effects of strain rate on their mechanical properties and microstructural evolution,focusing on strain rate hardening,adiabatic heating softening,and dynamic strain aging(DSA).The influence of strain rate on yield strength,ultimate tensile strength,strain hardening,and ductility is discussed,highlighting both positive and negative sensitivities across different alloy compositions and strain rate regimes.The strain rate response of various deformation mechanisms,including deformation twinning,dislocation slip,and phase transformation,is examined alongside their influence on microstructural evolution,alloy design,and industrial applications.The intricate role of DSA is also analyzed,emphasizing its contribution to strain rate sensitivity.To optimize HMS for dynamic environments,future research should focus on advanced modeling and processing techniques,in-situ characterization methods,and a deeper understanding of thermally activated processes and stacking fault energy-controlled mechanisms.This review provides insights into strain rate effects,guiding alloy design,and technological advancements of the new HMS.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52101128)the Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program(No.BE023059)+1 种基金the Post-doctoral Science Foundation of China(No.2022M710021)the Northeastern University Postdoctoral Research Fund of China(No.20220202).
文摘Fracture strain becomes critical for the local formability and crash performance of carbody components when the tensile strength exceeds 1000 MPa.Regrettably,high-strength quenching and partitioning(Q&P)steels and dual-phase(DP)steels always focus on improving the tensile ductility for stretch formability,while ignoring their limited fracture strain.In this work,we explored a novel strategy,i.e.,developing a high fracture strain ferrite-martensite dual-phase steel(HFS-DP)maintaining good strength–ductility balance by suppressing intense strain localization during deformation and enhancing martensite deformability via microstructure design including grain refinement,nano-precipitate hardening in soft ferrite phase,low-carbon and high fraction martensite.HFS-DP demonstrates a remarkable 26%and 47%improvement in tensile ductility and fracture strain,respectively,compared to commercial DP1180 steel with similar ultimate tensile strength.Furthermore,HFS-DP also exhibits a substantial 39%improvement in fracture strain compared to retained austenite-involved commercial QP1180 steel.The detailed processes of strain partitioning,strain localization,and damage formation during deformation were revealed through in-situ scanning electron microscopy(SEM)observation combined with digital image correlation(DIC).The results indicate that the excellent coordinated deformation between ferrite and martensite,coupled with microstructure refinement,effectively suppresses intense strain localization.Moreover,the excellent martensite deformability resulting from the low carbon content also aids in retarding crack formation.This combination effectively suppresses damage initiation and development during deformation,therefore the fracture strain is significantly improved.This study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the strain localization and damage process during tensile deformation of DP steels,but also provides a new perspective on designing ultrahigh strength steels with high ductility and fracture strain.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFB3705200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Nos.52321001,52130002 and 52371123)the IMR Innovation Fund(No.2024-PY07).
文摘With the increasing demand for high-performance metallic materials,the improvement of fatigue strength(FS)has become a crucial issue.This study focuses on the AISI 52100 steel,a material with leading fatigue performance and low-cost raw material,aiming to further improve its FS.It is found that the fatigue damage mechanism of 52100 steels with different tensile strengths has undergone significant changes,and the inclusions,mainly nitride and oxide,are key factors limiting the further improvement of FS.Therefore,the size reduction and modification of inclusions were attempted through the rare earth addition and strict control of harmful elements.Combining targeted microstructure adjustment,the FS of the 52100 steel has been further enhanced to~1.6 GPa,exceeding that of other metallic materials(performed in uniaxial tension with a stress ratio of R=0.1),and thus establishing it as a standout for its exceptional performance-to-cost ratio.By clarifying the influences of different types of inclusions on fatigue performance and establishing the correlation between micro-hardness(or strength)and FS,an optimization strategy for FS improvement of the 52100 steel was proposed.The FS has been improved by approximately 187 MPa at most by implementing this strategy.These achievements provide feasible technical approaches and theoretical foundations for the anti-fatigue design of metallic materials.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB3702403)financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52122408 and 52071023)。
文摘Microalloyed steels are extensively utilized in the automotive industry for their superior strength–toughness synergy.Structural components,such as cranks,wheels,and front axles,are subjected to fluctuating or repetitive stresses during service,which cause fatigue damage or failure.Therefore,improving the fatigue properties of microalloyed steels is crucial to broaden their applications.An overview of the factors affecting the fatigue properties of microalloyed steels is provided,beginning with a concise description of microalloyed steels,followed by a discussion of key factors,such as microstructure,precipitation,and non-metallic inclusions,that influence fatigue performance.Strategies for enhancing fatigue properties are also explored,including non-metallic inclusion modification,surface treatment,and microstructure tailoring.Modification treatment of non-metallic inclusions can alter their morphology,size,quantity,distribution,etc.,thereby reducing the adverse effect on fatigue performance.The surface treatment enhances resistance to crack initiation by introducing compressive residual stress or refining the surface microstructure.Microstructure tailoring involves various heat treatment processes that can slow fatigue crack growth.Ultimately,the latest developments and future prospects of fatigue properties in microalloyed steels,based on academic research and industrial practices,are also summarized.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52174311 and 51974020).
文摘The mechanism of strength and toughness variation in Ti microalloyed steel within the range of 0.04–0.157 wt.%was investigated.By adding 0.13 wt.%Ti,the steel achieves higher strength while maintaining a certain level of elongation and low-temperature impact toughness.With increasing Ti content,the grain size in the steel decreased from 17.7 to 8.9μm.This decrease in grain size is accompanied by an increase in the percentage of low-angle grain boundaries and dislocations,which act as barriers to hinder crack propagation.The Ti microalloyed steel exhibits a 20%increase in yield strength and a 14%increase in tensile strength.The transformation of steel plasticity occurs when the Ti content exceeds 0.102 wt.%.The low-temperature impact toughness of the steel gradually decreases with increasing Ti content.At low Ti content,the low-temperature impact toughness is reduced due to crack initiation by large-size inclusions.At high Ti content,the low-temperature impact toughness of the steel deteriorates due to several factors.These include the narrower tough–brittle transition zone,grain boundary embrittlement caused by small-sized grains,and the decrease in the solid solution strengthening effect.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52301058 and 52271034)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2023M732183)+3 种基金the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF(No.GZB20230399)the Key scientific and technological project in Ningbo City(No.2022Z056)supported by the Independent Research Project of State Key Laboratory of the Advanced Special Steel,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy,Shanghai University(SKLASS 2023-Z12)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(No.19DZ2270200).
文摘Fe-28Mn-(10-12)Al-(0.8-1.4)C(wt.%)steels were designed to investigate the influence of varying Al and C content on precipitation behavior ofκ-carbide and its contribution to the strength of high-Mn low-density steels.Results reveal that both Al and C elements promoteκ-carbide precipitation,with C having a more pronounced effect.In near-rapidly solidified 10Al steel strips,increasing C content from 0.8wt.%to 1.4wt.%raises theκ-carbide size from 9.6 nm to 38.2 nm,accompanied by volume fraction increase from 10.2vol.%to 29.8vol.%.In comparison,the average size and volume fraction ofκ-carbides in 12Al0.8C steel are only 11.4 nm and 17.8vol.%,respectively.Higher Al and C content reduces the lattice mismatch between austenite andκ-carbides,thus promoting nucleation ofκ-carbides.Notably,the increase in C content results in a greater reduction in the Gibbs free energy ofκ-carbide,leading to a stronger driving force forκ-carbide formation.Consequently,as the C content increases from 0.8wt.%to 1.4wt.%,the interaction betweenκ-carbides and dislocations transforms from particle cutting to bypassing,and the maximum precipitation strengthening ofκ-carbides reaches 583 MPa.The construction of the relationship between Al and C content andκ-carbide precipitation in this study would provide valuable insights for alloy design of high-Mn steels.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52271089)the financial support from the C hina Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2023M732192)。
文摘This work reveals the significant effects of cobalt(Co)on the microstructure and impact toughness of as-quenched highstrength steels by experimental characterizations and thermo-kinetic analyses.The results show that the Co-bearing steel exhibits finer blocks and a lower ductile-brittle transition temperature than the steel without Co.Moreover,the Co-bearing steel reveals higher transformation rates at the intermediate stage with bainite volume fraction ranging from around 0.1 to 0.6.The improved impact toughness of the Co-bearing steel results from the higher dense block boundaries dominated by the V1/V2 variant pair.Furthermore,the addition of Co induces a larger transformation driving force and a lower bainite start temperature(BS),thereby contributing to the refinement of blocks and the increase of the V1/V2 variant pair.These findings would be instructive for the composition,microstructure design,and property optimization of high-strength steels.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52233018 and 51831002)the China Baowu Low Carbon Metallurgy Innovation Foudation(No.BWLCF202213)。
文摘The influence of Nb-V microalloying on the hot deformation behavior and microstructures of medium Mn steel(MMS)was investigated by uniaxial hot compression tests.By establishing the constitutive equations for simulating the measured flow curves,we successfully constructed deformation activation energy(Q)maps and processing maps for identifying the region of flow instability.We concluded the following consequences of Nb-V alloying for MMS.(i)The critical strain increases and the increment diminishes with the increasing deformation temperature,suggesting that NbC precipitates more efficiently retard dynamic recrystallization(DRX)in MMS compared with solute Nb.(ii)The deformation activation energy of MMS is significantly increased and even higher than that of some reported high Mn steels,suggesting that its ability to retard DRX is greater than that of the high Mn content.(iii)The hot workability of MMS is improved by narrowing the hot processing window for the unstable flow stress,in which fine recrystallized and coarse unrecrystallized grains are present.
文摘Super duplex stainless steels(SDSSs)and hyper duplex stainless steels(HDSSs),with more alloying elements content,are more corrosion resistant than the standard grades.Progresses of research works on weldability of SDSSs and HDSSs in recent years are reviewed in this paper.If proper heat input is provided,SDSSs and HDSSs can be welded with most fusion welding processes,while tungsten inert gas welding is the most popular process.SDSSs and HDSSs are more prone to secondary phases precipitation than the standard and lean grades,and heat input for SDSSs and HDSSs welding is restricted to a smaller range.Matching filler materials are usually recommended for SDSSs and HDSSs welding,rather than Ni-riched ones for standard and lean grades.Nitrogen addition in shielding gas is always beneficial.Post weld heat treatment with slow cooling rate will be harmful.Hot cracking tendency of SDSSs and HDSSs joints is not high,but sometimes they can suffer from hydrogen induced stress cracking.
基金supported by the Liaoning Youth Science Foundation Project B Category(Contract No.2025010041-JH6/1010)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52471103).
文摘Press hardening with manganese-boron steels is a prominent manufacturing technique that allows for reduced weight and expense in automotive construction,while providing enhanced crash performance.Nevertheless,the development of a loosely attached oxide layer during press hardening and following additional processing of the layer presents a significant risk to the dimensional precision of the completed product.Here,we develop a new preprocessing approach to address the scale spallation issue by introducing trace amounts of silicate and tungstate into the rinsing solution following pickling.We demonstrate that the pre-deposited membrane promotes the formation of a noticeably thinner,more continuous and stickier oxide scale at high temperatures,enabling the direct application of automobile painting onto the scale.Our research provides an economical remedy to the troublesome scale flaking issue without requiring any modifications to the existing production line,and conveys a thorough comprehension of the mechanism by which the preprocessed membrane resists high-temperature oxidation.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFB3708200)。
文摘A series of high-strength wind power steels with various microstructural morphologies was produced by hot-rolled and thermo-mechanical controlled processes.The microstructure,microhardness,and tensile behavior observed using in-situ techniques in various types of steels were investigated.The experimental results demonstrated that the 3 microstructural morphologies(band-,net-,and fiber-structures)can be clarified and categorized;each type possesses different tensile strengths,yield behaviors,and strain hardening behaviors.This can be attributed to different strain distribution caused by the structural morphology;band-structure steels exhibit a yield plateau primarily attributed to the relatively weak constraint effect of pearlite on ferrite;net-structure steels display 3 strain hardening stages due to the staged plastic deformation;fiber-structure steels achieve superior strength through their uniform stress distribution.Furthermore,the initial strain hardening rate,transition strain,and uniform elongation were influenced by the features of the constituent phases.Based on these findings,methods for estimating the yield strength and tensile strength of the steels with two phases were discussed and experimentally validated.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12202153 and 12072123).
文摘Non-Schmid(NS)effects in body-centered cubic(BCC)single-phase metals have received special attention in recent years.However,a deep understanding of these effects in the BCC phase of dual-phase(DP)steels has not yet been reached.This study explores the NS effects in ferrite-martensite DP steels,where the ferrite phase has a BCC crystallographic structure and exhibits NS effects.The influences of NS stress components on the mechanical response of DP steels are studied,including stress/strain partitioning,plastic flow,and yield surface.To this end,the mechanical behavior of the two phases is described by dislocation density-based crystal plasticity constitutive models,with the NS effect only incorporated into the ferrite phase modeling.The NS stress contribution is revealed for two types of microstructures commonly observed in DP steels:equiaxed phases with random grain orientations,and elongated phases with preferred grain orientations.Our results show that,in the case of a microstructure with equiaxed phases,the normal NS stress components play significant roles in tension-compression asymmetry.By contrast,in microstructures with elongated phases,a combined influence of crystallographic texture and NS effect is evident.These findings advance our knowledge of the intricate interplay between microstructural features and NS effects and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying anisotropic-asymmetric plastic behavior of DP steels.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Program of the Korea Institute of Materials Science(No.PNK9820).
文摘Retained austenite plays a significant role in third-generation advanced high-strength steels (AHSS 3. Gen.), renowned for their excellent combination of strength and ductility. Silicon (Si) is a key element in stabilizing retained austenite. However, it introduces challenges in galvannealing and welding processes in Zn-coated steels, such as inhibited Fe-Zn alloying and increased susceptibility to liquid metal embrittlement (LME). This study investigated the mechanism of Si enrichment at the Zn/steel interface and its role in suppressing Fe-Zn interdiffusion during annealing. Using advanced techniques such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic probe tomography, and Thermo-Calc DICTRA simulations, we analyzed the diffusion behavior and microstructural evolution in Zn-coated steels with varying Si contents. Si, driven by its low solubility in liquid Zn and Fe-Zn intermetallic phases, accumulates at the interface, forming a Si-enriched region that significantly suppresses Zn diffusion while permitting limited Fe diffusion. Numerical simulations revealed that the Si-enriched layer forms via the drag effect of the Fe-Zn reaction line, progressively concentrating Si at the interface as Zn diffuses. As annealing progresses, the morphology of the Si-enriched region evolves from layered, cloud-like structures to droplets and elongated dendritic forms, driven by Zn penetration and Fe consumption. These findings provide novel insights into the role of Si enrichment in mitigating LME and optimizing the Zn-coated AHSS 3. Gen., paving the way for advancements in automotive material design.
基金supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of China(No.HT-J2019-V-0023-0140)Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Advanced Special Steel,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Ferrometallurgy,Shanghai University(No.SKLASS 2023-03)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(No.20511107700).
文摘A novel plasma torch nitriding technology was applied for the first time to improve the surface properties of M2 high-speed steel by adjusting different experimental parameters.The nitrogen content,precipitate,microstructure,mechanical property,and corrosion resistance of the nitrided layer were comprehensively analyzed using an ONH analyzer,scanning electron microscope(SEM),micro-area X-ray diffractometer,transmission electron microscope(TEM),Vickers microhardness tester,high-temperature wear tester,3D profilometer,tensile testing machine,and electrochemical workstation.The research results show that the novel plasma torch nitriding technology can achieve synergistic strengthening of nitrogen,carbon,and alloying element solid solution,precipitation strengthening,and martensitic structure on the surface of M2 high-speed steel.The nitrogen content on the specimen surface increased up to 0.17%,while the size and area of carbides were reduced by 89%and 86%,respectively,indicating a transformation towards fine nitrogen-rich precipitates.Compared to the original M2 steel,the nitrided specimens exhibited significant improvements in overall performance.The hardness increased from 228 HV_(0.2)to a maximum of 795 HV_(0.2),the wear coefficient decreased from a maximum of 0.8 to 0.49,the tensile strength increased from 753 MPa to a maximum of 934 MPa,and the corrosion current density decreased from 1.2×10^(−5)to a minimum of 1.9×10^(−6)A/cm^(2).
基金support received from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52274305,U20A20277)the Hubei Province key research and development project(2022BAA021).
文摘High-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy(HT-CLSM)is considered as a powerful tool for in situ observation of the phase transformation of steels at elevated temperatures.It breaks the limitation that conventional approaches on this aspect can only post-mortem the microstructure at room temperature.The working principle and major functions of HT-CLSM in initial are introduced and the utilization in details with HT-CLSM is summarized,including the behaviors of melting-solidifying,austenite reversion,as well as the austenite decomposition(formation of Widmanstätten,pearlite,acicular ferrite,bainite and martensite)in steels.Moreover,a serie of HT-CLSM images are used to explore the growth kinetic of phase at elevated temperatures with additional theoretical calculation models.Finally,the in situ HT-CLSM observations of phase transformation,combined with post-mortem electron backscatter diffraction analysis,is also summarized to elucidate the crystallographic evolution.
