Xiangliang Wan

In situ observation of austenite grain growth behavior in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of Ti-microalloyed steels

The austenite grain growth behavior in a simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone during thermal cycling was investigated via in situ observation. Austenite grains nucleated at ferrite grain boundaries and then grew in different directions through movement of grain boundaries into the ferrite phase. Subsequently, the adjacent austenite grains impinged against each other during the α→γ transformation. After the α→γ transformation, austenite grains coarsened via the coalescence of small grains and via boundary migration between grains. The growth process of austenite grains was a continuous process during heating, isothermal holding, and cooling in simulated thermal cycling. Abundant finely dispersed nanoscale TiN particles in a steel specimen containing 0.012wt% Ti effectively retarded the grain boundary migration, which resulted in refined austenite grains. When the Ti concentration in the steel was increased, the number of TiN particles decreased and their size coarsened. The big particles were not effective in pinning the austenite grain boundary movement and resulted in coarse austenite grains.

Toughness improvement by Cu addition in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steels

The effect of microstructure and Cu addition in a simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of a high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel subjected to 100 kJ cm−1 heat input welding was studied. It has been observed that the primary microstructure in Cu-free HSLA steels is dominated by bainite, whereas, in Cu-bearing HSLA steels, the predominant microstructure is acicular ferrite. The acicular ferrite nucleated at intragranular complex inclusions consisting of Al and Ti oxides, covered with layer of MnS and CuS. The presence of high intensity of acicular ferrite and hard impingements between acicular ferrite laths or plates has contributed to the fine-grained and interlocked microstructure. The enhanced toughness in CGHAZ of Cu-bearing HSLA steel is attributed to the fine-grained interlocked microstructure of acicular ferrite.

In situ observation of acicular ferrite formation and grain refinement in simulated heat affected zone of high strength low alloy steel

Abstract The phase transformation from austenite to acicular ferrite in the simulated coarse grained heat affected zone of a high strength low alloy steel was investigated by means of analytical characterisation techniques such as in situ microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction analysis. The acicular ferrite grains nucleated on inclusions (Zr–Ti oxides) in coarse austenite grain grew in different directions and effectively partitioned coarse austenite grain into several finer and separate regions. The crystallographic grain size became small for coarse austenite grains due to the effective partitioning by acicular ferrite laths or plates.

In-situ observation of grain refinement in the simulated heat-affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steel by Zr-Ti combined deoxidation

The effect of Zr-Ti combined deoxidation on the grain refinement in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of a high-strength low-alloy steel was investigated by means of analytical characterization techniques such as in-situ microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron backscattered diffraction analysis. Owing to the Zr-Ti combined deoxidation, a large amount of fine Zr-Ti oxide particles were formed in the steel and retarded the austenite grain growth during simulated welding thermal cycle. The austenite grains were small and uniform. The Mn can diffuse spontaneously from austenite to Zr-Ti oxide inclusion and MnS precipitated on ZrO2, which can form Mn depleted zone in the vicinity of inclusion. The acicular ferrite grains nucleated on intragranular Zr-Ti oxide inclusions in austenite grains grew in different directions and effectively divided the austenite grain into several finer and separate regions at intermediate temperature. The crystallographic grain size became small in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of Zr-Ti-killed steel due to the effective pinning effect by Zr-Ti oxide particles and acicular ferrite formation.

Characteristic of martensite–austenite constituents in coarse grained heat affected zone of HSLA steel with varying Al contents

Abstract The fine microstructure of martensite–austenite (M–A) constituents in simulated coarse grained heat affected zone (HAZ) of high strength low alloy steel with varying aluminium content (0·038 and 0·070 wt-%) at 100 kJ cm−1 heat input welding was investigated. The result shows that M–A constituents with 0·038%Al consisted of lath martensite and retained austenite. The retained austenite was distributed along the martensite lath. Whereas, the M–A constituents with 0·070%Al consisted of lath martensite and retained austenite, as well as a small amount of twinned martensite. The amount of retained austenite in M–A constituents with 0·070%Al was becoming higher slightly than that with 0·038%Al. Accordingly, the volume fraction of M–A constituents was reduced with 0·070%Al. Appropriate aluminium addition could decrease not only the area fraction but also the size of M–A constituents, which are beneficial for improving the toughness of HAZ.

Microstructural characteristics and impact toughness in YS690MPa steel weld metal for offshore structures

The fine-grained mixed microstructure of acicular ferrite (AF) and bainite in YS690MPa steel weld metal contributes to attain high-impact toughness. The morphology and evolutionary mechanism of fine-grained mixed microstructure in this weld metal were investigated. Single or multiple AF grains were nucleated on complex inclusions by forming Mn-depleted zones, where Mn spontaneously diffused into Ti oxide inclusions due to the cation vacancies. It is in good agreement with the theoretical calculation by first principle. The bainite nucleated on austenite grain boundary and then assisted the pre-formed AF to partition the austenite grain into small and separate regions. Furthermore, the later formed ferrite nucleated on the broad surface of pre-formed ferrite plates and grew in those small regions with limited grain size. All of them resulted in the formation of fine-grained mixed microstructure, which provided excellent impact toughness in this weld metal with dimples and quasi-cleavage fracture surface combination.

The role of Cu and Al addition on the microstructure and fracture characteristics in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steels with superior toughness

ABSTRACT The effects of Cu and Al addition on the microstructure and fracture in the coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of high-strength low-alloy steels with superior toughness were studied and compared with the X70 pipeline base steel counterpart. The microstructure in base steel was dominated by a small fraction of acicular ferrite and predominantly bainite. However, acicular ferrite microstructure was obtained in Cu-bearing steel, which nucleated on complex oxide with outer layer of MnS and CuS because of Cu addition. The microstructure in Al-bearing steel consisted of bainite with ultrafine martensite–austenite constituent, which was refined by Al addition. CGHAZ in Cu-bearing and Al-bearing steels had superior impact toughness and ductile fracture, which were attributed to acicular ferrite and ultrafine martensite–austenite constituent, respectively.

In-situ microscopy study of grain refinement in the simulated heat-affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steel by TiN particle

ABSTRACT High-strength low-alloy steels subjected to high heat input welding are susceptible to failure due to low toughness caused by grain coarsening. The effect of TiN on grain refinement in the simulated heat-affected zone (HAZ) was investigated. Because of small amount of Ti addition, abundant dispersed nanoscale TiN precipitates were formed. The TiN precipitates tended to be stable at high temperature and effectively retarded the austenite grain growth by refining the grain size during thermal cycle. Furthermore, the TiN also covered on the surface of Al–Ti complex oxide with MnS and caused low interface energy with ferrite. The acicular ferrite grains nucleated on complex inclusion in austenite grains at intermediate temperature and induced the austenite grain transform to the fine-grained mixed microstructure of acicular ferrite and bainite. The crystallographic grain size became small in the simulated HAZ due to the effective pinning effect and acicular ferrite formation.

Toughness improvement by Zr addition in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steels

ABSTRACT The effect of Zr addition on the microstructure and impact toughness in the coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of high-strength low-alloy steels subjected to 100 kJ cm-1 heat input was investigated. The second- phase particles were mainly Al–Ti complex oxides and (Ti,Nb)N precipitates in Zr-free steel, whereas lots of finer Zr–Al–Ti complex oxides and (Al,Ti,Nb)N precipitates were formed in Zr-bearing steel because of Zr addition. These finer oxides and precipitates effectively restricted the austenite grain growth by pinning effect during welding thermal cycle, and smaller and more uniform prior austenite grains were obtained in CGHAZ of Zr-bearing steel. Furthermore, more acicular ferrite grains nucleated on Zr–Al–Ti complex oxides, inducing formation of fine-grained microstructure in CGHAZ of Zr-bearing steel. The toughness improvement in CGHAZ of Zr-bearing steel with dimple fracture surface was attributed to the grain refinement by pinning effect and acicular ferrite formation.

Effect of grain refinement on strain hardening and fracture in austenitic stainless steel

ABSTRACT The present study aims to investigate the effect of grain refinement on strain hardening behaviour and fracture surface characteristics in 316LN austenitic stainless steel (ASS). The ASSs with varying grain sizes were obtained through 90% cold rolled reduction and subsequently phase reversion annealing treatment. The results showed that the grain refinement from coarse-grained (CG) structure to ultrafine-grained (UFG) structure increased the yield strength whilst maintaining a reasonable ductility. The strain hardening curves in all the samples were divided into three stages. The fractures in all the samples were ductile fracture with dimples. The subtle differences in the strain hardening behaviour and fracture surface characteristics among the samples with various grain sizes from CG structure to UFG structure were influenced by the deformation mechanisms of austenite.