Hao Yu

Morphology and precipitation kinetics of AlN in hot strip of low carbon steel produced by compact strip production

Abstract Morphology and precipitation kinetics of AlN were investigated both experimentally and using a predictive model in hot strip of low carbon steel produced by compact strip production (CSP), a process for the production of hot strip from a continuously cast thin slab using direct charging. By an electrolytic dissolution technique and TEM analysis, the shapes of AlN were cube or plate, the precipitates were uniform and very fine, with average size less than 8 nm. The paper presents a model to describe the precipitation kinetics of AlN under thermomechanical process conditions of CSP, which predicted volume fraction evolution and the precipitate size of strain induced precipitation on the basis of classical nucleation theory. For the process conditions of this paper, about 3 s time was sufficient for appreciable strain induced precipitation occurred immediately and entirely on dislocations after the sixth finishing rolling pass, and the computing radius of precipitate was 2 nm, which was in good agreement with experimental data. The differences of AlN precipitation between CSP and conventional process are also discussed.

Effect of continuous annealing parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructures of a cold rolled dual phase steel

A cold rolled dual phase (DP) steel with the C-Si-Mn alloy system was trial-produced in the laboratory, utilizing a Glee-ble-3800 thermal simulator. The effects of continuous annealing parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructures of the DP steel were investigated by mechanical testing and microstructure observation. The results show that soaking between 760 and 820℃ for more than 80 s, rapid cooling at the rate of more than 30℃/s from the quenching temperature between 620 and 680℃, and overaging lower than 300℃ are beneficial for the mechanical properties of DP steels. An appropriate proportion of the two phases is one of the key factors for the favorable properties of DP steels. If the volume fraction of martensite and, thereby, free dislocations are deficient, the tensile strength and n value of DP steels will decrease, whereas, the yield strength will increase. But if the volume fraction of martensite is excessive to make it become a dominant phase, the yield and tensile strength will increase, whereas, the elongation will decrease obviously. When rapid cooling rate is not fast enough, pearlite or cementite will appear, which will degrade the mechanical properties. Even though martensite is sufficient, if it is decomposed in high temperature tempering, the properties will be unsatisfied.

Influences of microstructure and texture on crack propagation path of X70 acicular ferrite pipeline steel

Abstract The aspects of two pipeline steels with different technologies were investigated by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). The microstructure presents a typical acicular ferrite characteristic with fine particles of martensite/austenite (M/A) constituent, which distributes in grains and at grain boundaries. The bulk textures of the pipeline steel plate are {112}〈110〉 and 〈111〉 fibers, respectively, and the {112}〈110〉 component is the favorable texture benefiting for drop weight tear test. Moreover, low angle boundaries and low coincidence site lattice boundaries are inactive and more resistant to fracture than high energy random boundaries.

Stress-strain partitioning analysis of constituent phases in dual phase steel based on the modified law of mixture

A more accurate estimation of stress-strain relationships for martensite and ferrite was developed, and the modified law of mixture was used to investigate the stress-strain partitioning of constituent phases in dual phase (DP) steels with two different martensite volume fractions. The results show that there exist great differences in the stress-strain contribution of martensite and ferrite to DP steel. The stress-strain partitioning coefficient is not constant in the whole strain range, but decreases with increasing the true strain of DP steel. The softening effect caused by the dilution of carbon concentration in martensite with the increase of martensite volume fraction has great influence on the strain contribution of martensite. The strain ratio of ferrite to martensite almost linearly increases with increasing the true strain of DP steel when the martensite volume fraction is 22%, because martensite always keeps elastic. But the strain ratio of ferrite to martensite varies indistinctively with the further increase in true strain of DP steel above 0.034 when the martensite volume fraction is 50%, because plastic deformation happens in martensite. The stress ratio of martensite to ferrite decreases monotonously with increasing the true strain of DP steel whether the martensite volume fraction is 22% or 50%.

Effects of precipitates and inclusions on the fracture toughness of hot rolling X70 pipeline steel plates

In order to investigate the fracture toughness, crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) experiments were conducted on two X70 pipeline steel plates with different rolling processes. After the experiments, optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to observe the microstructure and fracture morphology. The effects of precipitates on the fracture toughness and the crack initiation mechanism induced by inclusions were analyzed. The CTOD result shows that the steel with a lower finishing cooling temperature has a higher fracture toughness. Inclusions with different shapes and two kinds of precipitates with different sizes were observed. It can be concluded that precipitates with different sizes have different effects and mechanisms on the fracture toughness. Distinguished from the earlier researches, inclusions enriched in silicon can be also served as the crack initiation.

Kinetics of bainite-to-austenite transformation during continuous reheating in low carbon microalloyed steel

A dilatometer was used to study the kinetics of bainite-to-austenite transformation in low carbon microalloyed steel with the initial microstructure of bainite during the continuous reheating process. The bainite-to-austenite transformation was observed to take place in two steps at low heating rate. The first step is the dissolution of bainite, and the second one is the remaining bainite-to-austenite transformation controlled by a dissolution process. The calculation result of the kinetics of austenite formation shows that the two steps occur by diffusion at low heating rate. However, at high heating rate the bainite-to-austenite transformation occurs in a single step, and the process is mainly dominated by shear. The growth rate of austenite reaches the maximum at about 835°C at different heating rates and the growth rate of austenite as a function of temperature increases with the increase in heating rate.

Comparison and analysis of dislocation density, morphology and evolution in microstructure of low-carbon steel produced using different technologies

Three kinds of specimens were produced from hot strips of similar composition and same thickness (nominal gauge 4.0 mm) but produced using different technologies, and the dislocation density of these strips was quantitatively measured by positron annihilation technique test. The dislocation morphology and evolution in microstructure of each pass for producing the 1.9 mm hot strip using CSP (compact strip production) technology were observed under an H-800 transmission electron microscope; its density was also quantitatively measured using the positron annihilation technique test, and the factors influencing the dislocation density during the production process were analyzed. The experimental results show that the dislocation density in the microstructure produced using CSP technology is higher than that in the microstructure produced using conventional technology. This result was discussed and confirmed on the basis of the finite element simulation and the theory relevant to dislocations.

Hot ductility behavior of V-N and V-Nb microalloyed steels

The hot ductility of V-N and V-Nb microalloyed steels was investigated on a Gleeble-1500 thermomechanical simulator, and the results were compared with those of V and Nb microalloyed steels. A ductility trough is found in both the steels in the temperature range of 700 to 1050°C. Compared to the V steel, the V-N steel has a wider and deeper ductility trough with the increase of N content, due to the increased precipitation of V(C, N) in the steel. Above 930°C, when 0.047wt% V is added to the 0.028wt% Nb-containing steel, the ductility becomes worse, owing to the rise of the onset dynamic recrystallization temperature. However, the ductility gets better at 800 to 930°C because of the coarsening of precipitates in austenite. With the improvement in ductility, the fracture mechanism is changed from intergranular to high ductile fracture in the temperature range of 800 to 1050°C.

Effect of boron on hot strips of low carbon steel produced by compact strip production

Abstract The effect of boron on hot strips of low carbon steel produced by compact strip production (CSP) to reduce the strength to a certain degree was investigated, which is quite different from that of high-strength low alloy steel. The mechanical properties and microstructural evolution of the hot strip were studied using optical microscopy and tensile tests. By means of an electrolytic dissolution technique and Thermo-Cal calculation, the precipitates containing boron were analyzed and detected. From the electron back-scattered diffraction analysis, it can be deciphered whether the microstructure has recrystallized or not. Furthermore, the effect of boron segregation on the recrystallization or non-recrystallization conditions can be distinguished. The segregation behavior of boron was investigated in boron-containing steel. The nonequilibrium segregation of boron during processing was discussed on the basis of the forming complexes with vacancies that migrate to the boundaries prior to annihilation, which was confirmed by the subsequent cold rolling with annealing experiments.

Research on Microstructural Evolution and Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior of JB800 Bainitic Steel by FEM

Abstract Single pass compression tests were conducted on Gleeble1500 thermal simulator. The effect of different deformation parameters on the grain size of dynamically recrystallized austenite was analyzed. A mathematical model of dynamic recrystallization and a material database of JB800 steel, whose tensile strength is above 800 MPa, were set up. A subprogram was compiled using Fortran language and called by Marc finite element software. A thermal coupled elastoplastic finite element model was established to simulate the compression process. The grain size of recrystallized austenite obtained by different recrystallization models was simulated. The results show that the optimized dynamic recrystallization model of JB800 bainitic steel has a higher precision and yields good agreement with metallographic observations.