Chaolei Zhang

Effects of Niobium and Vanadium on Hydrogen-Induced Delayed Fracture in High Strength Spring Steel

Influence of vanadium and/or niobium additions on delayed fracture behavior in high strength spring steel was studied by hydrogen permeation method and slow strain rate technique (SSRT), and its mechanism was analyzed. The results show that apparent diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in microalloyed spring steels Nb-V-steel and Nb-steel is lower than that in non-microalloyed steel 60Si2MnA. Percentage of strength reduction in SSRT in air after precharged hydrogen of the microalloyed steels is smaller than that of 60Si2MnA. Addition of the microalloys changes the fracture characteristics. Thence, vanadium and/or niobium additions are a very effective and economy means to improve the. hydrogen-induced delayed fracture resistance of high strength spring steel.

Secondary Hardening, Austenite Grain Coarsening and Surface Decarburization Phenomenon in Nb-Bearing Spring Steel

The secondary hardening, the austenite grain coarsening and the surface decarburization phenomenon of Nb-bearing spring steel were investigated, and the effects of niobium on tempered microstructure was studied using scanning electron microscope. The results show that the micro-addition of niobium increases the tempering resistance and produces secondary hardening. The effect of niobium on the size and distribution of cementite particles is one of the primary reasons to increase the hardness after tempering. The grain-coarsening temperature of the spring steel is raised 150 °C due to Nb-addition. Furthermore, both the secondary hardening and the austenite grain coarsening phenomenon congruously demonstrate niobium begins observably dissolving above 1100 °C in the spring steel. Besides, niobium microalloying is an effective and economy means to decrease the decarburization sensitivity of the spring steels.

Forming condition and control strategy of ferrite decarburization in 60Si2MnA spring steel wires for automotive suspensions

The ferrite decarburization behavior of 60Si2MnA spring steel wires for automotive suspensions, including the forming condition and the influence of heating time and cooling rate after hot rolling, was investigated comprehensively. Also, a control strategy during the reheating process and cooling process after rolling was put forward to protect against ferrite decarburization. The results show that ferrite decarburization, which has the strong temperature dependence due to phase transformation, is produced between 675 and 875°C. The maximum depth is found at 750°C. Heating time and cooling rate after rolling have an important influence on decarburization. Reasonable preheating temperature in the billet reheating process and austenitizing temperature in the heat-treatment process are suggested to protect against ferrite decarburization.

Surface decarburization characteristics and relation between decarburized types and heating temperature of spring steel 60Si2MnA

The characteristics of complete and partial decarburizations in spring steel 60Si2MnA were systematically investigated, including the microstructure, the hardness gradient, and the formation mechanism. The relation between decarburized types and heating temperature of the steel was comprehensively discussed. It is found that heating temperature has an important influence on the decarburized types. With the rise of heating temperature, the decarburized types change from no decarburization to complete decarburization, complete and partial decarburizations, partial decarburization, and no decarburization.

Microstructure evolution, fracture and hardening mechanisms of quenched and tempered steel for large sized bearing rings at elevated quenching temperatures

Based on 42CrMo steel, a steel with a higher C and Ni content is developed for use in large sized bearing rings. The impact energy and hardness of the quenched and tempered steel increase with the quenching temperature, but then decrease when the temperature is above 925 °C. When the temperature is below 925 °C, some larger M23C6-type carbides (with average diameters of 255.6 μm) exist in the quenched and tempered microstructure. The number of carbides is reduced as the quenching temperature increases. At the same time, the fracture modes change from microvoid coalescence and quasi-cleavage to microvoid coalescence. The number of round quasi-cleavage fractures, which are formed around the carbides, decrease as the number of carbides decrease. The existence of larger M23C6-type carbides leads to round quasi-cleavage fractures and decrease the impact energy. The precipitation strengthening of M23C6-type carbides increases the hardness at a quenching temperature of 925 °C.

Influence of high temperature pre-deformation on the dissolution rate of delta ferrites in martensitic heat-resistant steels

The dissolution process of delta ferrites and the influence of high temperature pre-deformation on the dissolution rate of delta ferrites in martensitic heat-resistant steel 10Cr12Ni3Mo2VN were studied by isothermal heating and thermal simulation experiments. The precipitation temperature of delta ferrites in experimental steel is about 1195 °C. M23C6-type carbides incline to precipitate and coarsen at the boundaries of delta ferrites below 930 °C, and can be rapidly dissolved by heating at 1180 °C. The percentage of delta ferrites gradually decreases with heating time. And a Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation was established to describe the dissolution process of delta ferrites at 1180 °C. High temperature pre-deformation can markedly increase the dissolution rate of delta ferrites. Pre-deformation can largely increase the interface area between delta ferrite and matrix and thus increase the unit-time diffusing quantities of alloying elements between delta ferrites and matrix. In addition, high temperature pre-deformation leads to dynamic recrystallization and increases the number of internal grain boundaries in the delta ferrites. This can also greatly increase the diffusing rate of alloying elements. In these cases, the dissolution of delta ferrites can be promoted.

Surface decarburization behavior and its adverse effects of air-cooled forging steel C70S6 for fracture splitting connecting rod

Surface decarburization behavior and its adverse effects of air-cooled forging steel C70S6 for automobile engine fracture splitting connecting rod were investigated comprehensively by mechanical properties, microstructure and fracture morphology analysis. The results show that the surface decarburization in the outer surface of the fracture splitting at the big end bore and the micro-cracks in the decarburized layer are result in the uneven and spalling fracture surfaces of the waster connecting rod product. Besides, partial decarburization is produced between 900 °C and 1250 °C for heating 2 h, and decarburization sensitivity reach maximum at 1150 °C, but no complete decarburization forms for heating 2 h at 650-1250 °C. The decarburized depth follows a parabolic law with the increase of the heating time from 0.5 h to 12 h, and the decarburization sensitivity coefficient is 2.05×10-5 m·s-1/2 at 1200 °C. For the connecting rod manufacturing, surface decarburization must be under effective control during the hot forging process but not the control cooling process.