Effect of electroslag remelting and homogenization on hydrogen flaking in AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steels

Abstract

Hydrogen flakes and elemental segregation are the main causes of steel rejection. To eliminate hydrogen flaking, the present study focuses on the manufacture of AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steel through an alternate route. AMS-4340 was prepared using three different processing routes. The primary processing route consisted of melting in an electric arc furnace, refining in a ladle refining furnace, and vacuum degassing. After primary processing, the heat processes (D1, D2, and D3) were cast into cylindrical electrodes. For secondary processing, electroslag remelting (ESR) was carried out on the primary heats to obtain four secondary heats: E1, E2, E3, and E4. Homogenization of ingots E1, E2, E3, and E4 was carried out at 1220°C for 14, 12, 12, and 30 h, respectively, followed by an antiflaking treatment at 680°C and air cooling. In addition, the semi-finished ESR ingot E4 was again homogenized at 1220°C for 6–8 h and a second antiflaking treatment was performed at 680°C for 130 h followed by air cooling. The chemical segregation of each heat was monitored through a spectroscopy technique. The least segregation was observed for heat E4. Macrostructure examination revealed the presence of hydrogen flakes in heats E1, E2, and E3, whereas no hydrogen flakes were observed in heat E4. Ultrasonic testing revealed no internal defects in heat E4, whereas internal defects were observed in the other heats. A grain size investigation revealed a finer grain size for E4 compared with those for the other heats. Steel produced in heat E4 also exhibited superior mechanical properties. Therefore, the processing route used for heat E4 can be used to manufacture an AMS-4340 ultra-high-strength steel with superior properties compared with those of AMS-4340 prepared by the other investigated routes.