Štěpán Jeníček

Advanced Material-Technological Modelling of Complex Dynamic Thermomechanical Processes

Material-technological modelling has made great progress over recent years, thanks to the new possibilities opened up by developments in sensor technology, and especially in new methods of control, supported by innovative electronic elements and electronic circuits. One such device, developed for material-technological modelling, is the thermomechanical simulator which was established in the laboratories of the Research Centre of Forming Technologies FORTECH, in Pilsen, in the Czech Republic. Thanks to new knowledge and technical equipment the majority of technological processes or even technological chains can be modelled. The most considerable and most important innovation in the material-technological modelling process is the significant acceleration and increased precision of the modelling process. The present technology even allows modelling of highly dynamic processes, such as wire rolling including all thermodynamical effects. This paper presents the broad possibilities of the most modern material-technological modelling. The process of detecting technical and manufacturing problems during rolling and the possibilities of failure elimination are introduced in a practical example.

Metallographic Observation for Evaluating Microstructural Evolution on Various Cross-Sections of Forged Part upon Air-Cooling from Finishing Temperature

Utility properties of forgings, particularly the mechanical ones, are among the primary aspects of interest to the customers of forge shops. These properties arise from internal structure whose evolution depends predominantly on the combination of parameters of deformation processes applied during forging, on the temperature profile during cooling and on the shape of the forged part. As microstructural evolution depends on the shape of the particular cross section of the forged part, an appreciable inhomogeneity of mechanical properties occurs in forgings. This article deals with observation of microstructural evolution in a chosen forged part, depending on cooling profiles of its various cross sections. The experimental programme of mechanical working and treatment of the forged part was based on the material-technological modelling approach. Microstructural evolution was studied using light and electron microscopic methods. Results of this analysis provided a basis for outlining optimization steps for mechanical working and treatment of the forged part.

Effects of Heat Treatment on Microstructure of High-Strength Manganese-Silicon Steels

Today’s advanced steels are required to possess high strength and ductility. This can be accomplished by producing appropriate microstructures with a certain volume fraction of retained austenite. The resulting microstructure depends on material’s heat treatment and alloying. High ultimate strengths and sufficient elongation levels can be obtained by various methods, including quenching and partitioning (Q&P process). The present paper introduces new procedures aimed at simplifying this process with the use of material-technological modelling. Three experimental steels have been made and cast for this investigation, whose main alloying additions were manganese, silicon, chromium, molybdenum and nickel. The purpose of manganese addition was to depress the Ms and Mf temperatures. The Q&P process was carried out in a thermomechanical simulator for better and easier control. The heat treatment parameters were varied between the sequences and their effect on microstructure evolution was evaluated. They included the cooling rate, partitioning temperature and time at partitioning temperature. Microstructures including martensite with strength levels of more than 2000 MPa and elongation of 10–15 % were obtained.

Unconventional Microstructures in Tool Steel Obtained by Semi-Solid Processing and Subsequent Heat Treatment

Mechanical properties of all metals depend predominantly on the type and morphology of their microstructure. Microstructure attributes can be altered by various heat treating and thermomechanical treatment procedures. One of the advanced techniques profoundly affecting the microstructure evolution is semi-solid processing. It can produce unconventional microstructures even in conventional steel types. Moreover, subsequent heat treatment can also deliver a wide range of microstructures and correspondingly varied mechanical properties. In the present experimental programme, the X210Cr12 ledeburitic tool steel was studied. Its initial annealed microstructure consisted of ferritic matrix, chromium carbides and globular cementite particles. The semi-solid processed structure, on the other hand, contained polyhedral austenite grains embedded in carbide-austenite network. The austenite volume fraction exceeded 95 %. This microstructure was then altered by subsequent heat treatment or thermomechanical treatment. The experimental programme comprised three stages. At the first stage, the effects of the rate of cooling from the semi-solid region to the ambient temperature on the nature and morphology of the ledeburitic network and the austenitic grain size were explored. The second stage was aimed at the impact of tensile and compressive deformation applied after transition through semi-solid state on the microstructure evolution and, in particular, on grain size. Once suitable processing conditions and parameters were identified, the treatment led to a recrystallized austenitic microstructure with an average grain size of less than 3 μm. As high volume fractions of austenite were obtained, the third stage involved exploring the effects of thermal exposure. The stability of austenite and the decomposition of austenite into other microstructure constituents were mapped. Metallographic observation revealed a resulting wide range of microstructures from fine pearlite to martensite, depending on the heat treating schedule.