T.H. Simm

Insights into microstructural interfaces in aerospace alloys characterised by atom probe tomography

Atom probe tomography (APT) is becoming increasingly applied to understand the relationship between the structure and composition of new alloys at the micro- and nanoscale and their physical properties. Here, we use APT datasets from two modern aerospace alloys to highlight the detailed information available from APT analysis, along with potential pitfalls that can affect data interpretation. The interface between two phases in a Ti–6Al–4V alloy is used to illustrate the importance of parameter choice when using proximity histograms or concentration profiles to characterise interfacial chemistry. The higher number density of precipitates and large number of constituent elements in a maraging steel (F1E) present additional challenges such as peak overlaps that vary across the dataset, along with inhomogeneous interface chemistries.

The Influence of Lath, Block and Prior Austenite Grain (PAG) Size on the Tensile, Creep and Fatigue Properties of Novel Maraging Steel

The influence of martensitic microstructure and prior austenite grain (PAG) size on the mechanical properties of novel maraging steel was studied. This was achieved by looking at two different martensitic structures with PAG sizes of approximately 40 µm and 80 µm, produced by hot rolling to different reductions. Two ageing heat-treatments were considered: both heat-treatments consisted of austenisation at 960 °C, then aging at 560 °C for 5 h, but while one was rapidly cooled the other was slow cooled and then extended aged at 480 °C for 64 h. It is shown that for the shorter ageing treatment the smaller PAG size resulted in significant improvements in strength (increase of more than 150 MPa), ductility (four times increase), creep life (almost four times increase in creep life) and fatigue life (almost doubled). Whereas, the extended aged sample showed similar changes in the fatigue life, elongation and hardness it displayed yet showed no difference in tensile strength and creep. These results display the complexity of microstructural contributions to mechanical properties in maraging steels.

Study of the Effect of Cyclic Strain Reversal on the Interactions between SRX and PPT in the Microalloyed Austenite during Hot Rolling Process

In the present work cyclic torsion test was used to simulate hot plate rolling process in order to study the effect of strain reversal on non-recrystallisation temperature using unalloyed and microalloyed austenite model alloys. It was found that the amount of strain reversal directly influences both static recrystallisation and strain-induced precipitation process significantly delaying their kinetics. The proper assessment of the interactions between strain reversal and microstructure evolution plays a crucial role during hot rolling process - as continuous changes in the deformation mode (strain reversal) affect the level of redundant strain (in the areas near the surface of the stock) and lead to strain inhomogeneity across the plate thickness. This complex strain path introduces microstructural inhomogeneity and makes its predictions very difficult. Proper understanding of the effects of strain reversal on microstructure evolution in the austenite will help to optimise the hot rolling process.

Research data supporting "A SANS and APT study of precipitate evolution and strengthening in a maraging steel"

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS)j and imaging atom probe field ion microscope data on a marageing steel destined for aerospace applications. The steel is strengthened with NiAl and Laves phase precipitates and is designed to be strong at both ambient and elevated temperatures, while maintaining a panoply of other properties such as machinability, fatigue resistance, toughness, creep strength and coatability.

The influence of temperature on deformation-induced martensitic transformation in 301 stainless steel

ABSTRACT Deformation-induced martensitic transformations are increasingly being used to create desirable mechanical properties in steels. Here, the kinetics of the deformation-induced martensitic transformation is investigated at 300, 263, 223, 173 and 100 K using in situ neutron diffraction during tensile loading. The results from these experiments show a distinct change in the transformation behaviour between 300 K and the tests conducted at 263 K and below, causing a difference in martensite structure. The difference in transformation kinetics is correlated to the suppression of slip at low temperatures, as evidenced using diffraction peak intensity analysis for different grain families and corroborated using transmission electron microscopy. A direct correlation between the deformation-induced martensite fraction and the work-hardening rate is shown.

The Effect of a Two-Stage Heat-Treatment on the Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of a Maraging Steel

Maraging steels gain many of their beneficial properties from heat treatments which induce the precipitation of intermetallic compounds. We consider here a two-stage heat-treatment, first involving austenitisation, followed by quenching to produce martensite and then an ageing treatment at a lower temperature to precipitation harden the martensite of a maraging steel. It is shown that with a suitable choice of the initial austenitisation temperature, the steel can be heat treated to produce enhanced toughness, strength and creep resistance. A combination of small angle neutron scattering, scanning electron microscopy, electron back-scattered diffraction, and atom probe tomography were used to relate the microstructural changes to mechanical properties. It is shown that such a combination of characterisation methods is necessary to quantify this complex alloy, and relate these microstructural changes to mechanical properties. It is concluded that a higher austenitisation temperature leads to a greater volume fraction of smaller Laves phase precipitates formed during ageing, which increase the strength and creep resistance but reduces toughness.