Effect of lower bainite/martensite/retained austenite triplex microstructure on the mechanical properties of a low-carbon steel with quenching and partitioning process

We present a study concerning Fe–0.176C–1.31Si–1.58Mn–0.26Al–0.3Cr (wt%) steel subjected to a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process. The results of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and tensile tests demonstrate that the microstructures primarily consist of lath martensite, retained austenite, lower bainite (LB), and a small amount of tempered martensite; moreover, few twin austenite grains were observed. In the microstructure, three types of retained austenite with different sizes and morphologies were observed: blocky retained austenite (~300 nm in width), film-like retained austenite (80–120 nm in width), and ultra- fine film-like retained austenite (30–40 nm in width). Because of the effect of the retained austenite/martensite/LB triplex microstructure, the specimens prepared using different quenching temperatures exhibit high ultimate tensile strength and yield strength. Furthermore, the strength effect of LB can partially counteract the decreasing strength effect of martensite. The formation of LB substantially reduces the amount of retained austenite. Analyses of the retained austenite and the amount of blocky retained austenite indicated that the carbon content is critical to the total elongation of Q&P steel.     

一步淬火分配钢的工艺设计与微观组织演变

设计并研究了低碳硅锰系淬火分配(Q&P)钢的热处理工艺.利用SEM,TEM和XRD观察并分析了实验钢的微观结构和相组成.理论计算结果显示:Fe-021C二元合金的最佳淬火温度为290℃,最大残余奥氏体含量(摩尔分数)为179%.工艺模拟结果表明:实验钢残余奥氏体体积分数为67%~172%,残余奥氏体平均碳质量分数为102%~148%.残余奥氏体与相邻马氏体板条间晶体学位向符合K-S关系或N-W关系.实验所涉工艺中均存在新鲜马氏体的生成.随着配分时间的延长,残余奥氏体含量先增加后减少,残余奥氏体平均碳含量不断增加,最佳配分时间为50s.配分后期马氏体板条中出现的碳化物导致了残余奥氏体的减少.     

Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of a low-carbon quenching and partitioning steel after partial and full austenitization

In this work, low-carbon steel specimens were subjected to the quenching and partitioning process after being partially or fully austenitized to investigate their microstructural evolution and mechanical properties. According to the results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations, X-ray diffraction analysis, and tensile tests, upper bainite or tempered martensite appears successively in the microstructure with increasing austenitization temperature or increasing partitioning time. In the partially austenitized specimens, the retained austenite grains are carbon-enriched twice during the heat treatment, which can significantly stabilize the phases at room temperature. Furthermore, after partial austenitization, the specimen exhibits excellent elongation, with a maximum elongation of 37.1%. By contrast, after full austenitization, the specimens exhibit good ultimate tensile strength and high yield strength. In the case of a specimen with a yield strength of 969 MPa, the maximum value of the ultimate tensile strength reaches 1222 MPa. During the partitioning process, carbon partitioning and carbon homogenization within austenite affect interface migration. In addition, the volume fraction and grain size of retained austenite observed in the final microstructure will also be affected.     

基于动态碳配分机制的高强塑积热成形钢研究

通过直接淬火、QP、回火等工艺对一种低碳含铜钢进行热处理,并使用拉伸试验机、落锤冲击试验机、扫描电镜、电子探针、X射线衍射、透射电镜等手段对其力学性能、显微组织和冲击性能进行表征.在连续冷却淬火过程中观察到碳在马氏体和残余奥氏体间的动态配分现象,QP处理和低温回火可改善实验钢的冲击韧性;实验钢综合力学性能良好:强塑积大于20 GPa%,抗拉强度超过1 400 MPa,延伸率约14%,室温冲击功高于40 J.结果表明,所开发的实验钢可以满足热冲压工艺对成形淬火一体化的要求,可作为具有高强塑积的热成形用钢.     

低碳Si-Mn系DQ&P钢组织演变模拟研究

以低碳Si-Mn钢为研究对象,采用直接淬火-配分工艺,研究了不同变形温度和配分时间对组织演变行为的影响.结果表明,QP钢典型组织由马氏体、铁素体和少量残余奥氏体组成.其中马氏体呈现板条马氏体、孪晶马氏体等特征.随着配分时间的延长,显微组织呈现回火转变趋势.当变形温度为950℃和880℃时,残余奥氏体体积分数先增加后减少,均在配分150 s时达到最大值,分别为9.1%,10.1%.当变形温度在820℃时,由于先共析铁素体的存在易于获得较多的残余奥氏体,体积分数高达11.9%,并且残余奥氏体中平均碳含量相对较低.     

汽车用高强度Q&P钢的组织与力学性能

研究了0.21C--1.43Si--1.35Mn钢在两相区及完全奥氏体区采用QP(Quenching and Partitioning)工艺加热后的微观组织与力学性能.结果表明:两相区加热可获得马氏体、残余奥氏体和铁素体组织,钢的抗拉强度为1 013 MPa,延伸率为25%,强塑积为25 655 MPa.%;完全奥氏体区加热可获得马氏体和残余奥氏体组织,钢的抗拉强度为1 257 MPa,延伸率为17%,强塑积为21 454 MPa.%;QP钢中的马氏体主要为板条状,伴有大量位错,并且发现有少量孪晶马氏体,分析认为由配分过程后的淬火过程转变而来;通过QP工艺可得到体积分数高达10.67%的残余奥氏体,分布在板条马氏体间,呈薄膜状.     

低碳Si-Mn钢直接淬火-等温配分工艺中组织演变

以低碳Si-Mn钢为研究对象,在传统淬火-配分工艺中引入压缩变形,研究了压缩变形对组织演变的影响以及实验钢在不同等温配分条件下的显微结构特征.结果表明,引入高温变形处理后,试样具有更加精细的显微结构,同时显微组织中含有较高比例的大角度晶界,由无变形条件下的65.7%提高至72.5%;在相变及碳配分过程中,晶界以及板条边界附近易形成碳富集区;随配分时间延长,显微组织呈回火转变趋势,当配分时间延长至1 500 s时,组织中出现较大量的碳化物析出相,残余奥氏体体积分数降低至7.9%.     

调质低碳贝氏体钢的组织和性能

研究了C--Mn--Mo--Cu--Nb--Ti--B系低碳微合金钢915℃淬火和490～640℃回火的调质工艺对钢的组织及力学性能的影响.用扫描电镜和透射电镜对实验钢的组织、析出物形态和分布以及断口形貌进行观察,采用X射线衍射仪分析钢中残余奥氏体的体积分数.结果表明:调质后,实验钢获得贝氏体、少量马氏体及残余奥氏体复相组织,贝氏体板条宽度只有250 nm,残余奥氏体的体积分数随着回火温度的升高而降低,经淬火与520℃回火后残余奥氏体的体积分数为2.1%.调质后析出物的数量激增,6～15 nm的析出物占70%以上.实验钢经过915℃淬火与520℃回火后,其屈服强度达到915 MPa,抗拉强度990 MPa,-40℃冲击功为95 J.细小的析出物及窄的板条提高了钢的强度.板条间有残余奥氏体存在,改善了实验钢的韧性.     

航空轴承钢渗碳热处理组织演变行为研究

利用EPMA与XRD等实验方法对航空轴承钢在渗碳热处理过程中的微观组织演变行为进行定性及定量分析.结果表明:在渗碳淬火处理后,试样表层及次表层组织中有大量的碳化物及少量的残留奥氏体,其中碳化物为M₂₃C₆和M₆C.随着渗层深度的增加,碳化物含量减少,残留奥氏体含量增加.经过二次淬火处理后,奥氏体与马氏体中碳质量分数增加,使得淬火后残留奥氏体质量分数大幅度增加,在渗层0.1mm处达到22.7%.经过两次深冷与回火处理后,马氏体与奥氏体中碳质量分数降低,碳化物含量增加,渗层硬度提升.     

9Ni钢中逆转变奥氏体的稳定性

为了研究逆转变奥氏体在应力和低温条件下的稳定性,通过透射电子显微镜对淬火+回火(QT)和淬火+两相区淬火+回火(QLT)处理9Ni钢中逆转变奥氏体进行形貌观察.结果发现QT处理钢中逆转变奥氏体以块状形态存在;QLT处理钢中逆转变奥氏体以块状和薄膜状存在,薄膜状逆转变奥氏体分布在板条边界上.通过X射线衍射对液氮浸泡前后逆转变奥氏体含量和其碳含量的变化进行测量,发现QLT工艺处理后在液氮中稳定存在的逆转变奥氏体的含量要高于QT工艺.通过三点弯曲试验、单轴拉伸和压缩试验研究其机械稳定性,发现拉应力和压应力均能促使逆转变奥氏体转变,大部分残留奥氏体分布在晶内.     

淬火工艺对铬结构钢显微组织和力学性能的影响

研究了淬火工艺对低和中碳铬钢的显微组织、冲击韧性和断裂机制的影响．结果表明，提高淬火温度，使中碳钢所获得的、带方向性的纤维状马氏体和呈等边三角形出现的马氏体都是孪晶型的片状马氏体．低碳淬火钢中有相当数量的板条马氏体中也都带有孪晶．并证实，具有细小奥氏体晶粒的细片马氏体或隐针马氏体的冲击韧性值高于粗大的低碳板条马氏体．因此，无论是低碳，还是中碳和高碳钢，当奥氏体晶粒长大倾向稍大时，采取提高加热温度进行淬火的工艺是不可取的     

预处理组织对低碳钢IQ&P工艺下组织及性能影响

采用γ单相区和γ+α双相区轧制并淬火工艺以及双相区再加热-淬火-碳配分( IQ&P)工艺,研究预处理组织对低碳钢室温状态多相组织特征及力学性能的影响规律. 实验用低碳钢经两种工艺轧制并淬火处理,获得马氏体和马氏体+铁素体的预处理组织,再经双相区IQ&P工艺处理后均获得多相组织. 马氏体预处理钢的室温组织由板条状亚温铁素体、块状回火马氏体以及一定比例的针状未回火马氏体和8. 2%的针状残余奥氏体组成;马氏体+铁素体预处理钢由板条状亚温铁素体、块状和针状未回火马氏体以及14. 3%的短针状或块状残余奥氏体组成. 在相同的双相区IQ&P工艺参数下,预处理组织为马氏体的钢抗拉强度为770 MPa,伸长率为28%,其强塑积为21560 MPa·%;而预处理组织为马氏体+铁素体的钢抗拉强度为834 MPa,伸长率增大到36. 2%,强塑积达到30190 MPa·%,获得强度与塑性的优良结合.     

Microstructures and mechanical properties of C-Mn-Cr-Nb and C-Mn-Si-Nb ultra-high strength dual-phase steels

The microstructures and mechanical properties of C-Mn-Cr-Nb and C-Mn-Si-Nb ultra-high strength dual-phase steels were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and tensile test. The results show that Si can promote the transformation of austenite (γ) to ferrite (α), enlarge the (α+γ) region, and increase the aging stability of martensite by inhibiting carbide precipitation. Adding Cr leads to the formation of retained austenite and martensite/austenite (M/A) constituents, as well as the decomposition of martensite during the overaging stage. Both of the steels show higher initial strain-hardening rates and two-stage strain-hardening characteristics. The C-Mn-Si-Nb steel shows the higher strain-hardening rate than the C-Mn-Cr-Nb steel in the first stage; however, there is no significant difference in the second stage. Although the tensile strength and elongation of the two steels both exceed 1000 MPa and 15%, respectively, the comprehensive mechanical properties of the C-Mn-Si-Nb steel are superior.     

Effects of Si on the stability of retained austenite and temper embrittlement of ultrahigh strength steels

Effects of silicon (Si) content on the stability of retained austenite and temper embrittlement of ultrahigh strength steels were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and other experimental methods. The results show that Si can suppress temper embrittlement, improve temper resistance, and hinder the decomposition of retained austenite. Reversed austenite appears gradually with the increase of Si content during tempering. Si has a significant effect on enhancing carbon (C) partitioning and improving the stability of retained austenite. Si and C atoms are mutually exclusive in lath bainite, while they attract each other in austenite. ?-carbides are found in 1.8wt% Si steel tempered at 250℃, and they get coarsened obviously when tempered at 400℃, leading to temper embrittlement. Not ?-carbides but acicular or lath carbides lead to temper embrittlement in 0.4wt% Si steel, which can be inferred as cementites and composite compounds. Temper embrittlement is closely related to the decomposition of retained austenite and the formation of reversed austenite.     

淬火分配处理对高碳钢组织、力学性能和磨损性能的影响

The present work employed the X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction, and electron probe microanalysis techniques to identify the microstructural evolution and mechanical and abrasive behavior of high carbon steel during quenching-partitioning treatment with an aim to enhance the toughness and wear resistance of high carbon steel. Results showed that, with the increase in partitioning temperature from 250 to 400°C, the amount of retained austenite (RA) decreased resulting from the carbide precipitation effect after longer partitioning times. Moreover, the stability of RA generally increased because of the enhanced degree of carbon enrichment in RA. Given the factors affecting the toughness of high carbon steel, the stability of RA associated with size, carbon content, and morphology plays a significant role in determining the toughness of high carbon steel. The analysis of the wear resistance of samples with different mechanical properties shows that hardness is the primary factor affecting the wear resistance of high carbon steel, and the toughness is the secondary one.     

Excellent mechanical properties and resistance to cavitation erosion for an ultra-low carbon CrMnN stainless steel through quenching and partitioning treatment

The retained austenite content (RAC), the mechanical properties, and the resistance to cavitation erosion (CE) of the 00Cr13Mn8MoN steel after quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processing were investigated. The results show that the Q&P process affected the RAC, which reached the maximum value after partitioning at 400℃ for 10 min. The tensile strength of the steel slightly decreased with increasing partitioning temperature and time. However, the elongation and product of strength and elongation first increased and then decreased. The sample partitioned at 400℃ for 10 min exhibited the optimal property: a strength-ductility of 23.8 GPa·%. The resistance to CE for the 00Cr13Mn8MoN steel treated by the Q&P process was improved due to work hardening, spalling, and cavitation-induced martensitic transformation of the retained austenite.     

残余奥氏体的形态和分布对9SiCr工具钢强韧性的影响

本文研究了残余奥氏体对Si-Cr钢(含碳量0.9％)的冲击韧性的影响,发现深冷处理后残余奥氏体呈透镜状或膜状并沿马氏体边界分布,多冲周次N值可以提高,模具寿命也可以增加3倍以上。在深冷处理过程中残余奥氏体转变成针状马氏体,而且块状残余奥氏体被针状马氏体分割,使残余奥氏体细化。9SiCr钢经不同时间深冷处理,其冲击韧性差别很大。     

Microstructure,mechanical properties,and wear resistance of VC<Subscript>p</Subscript>-reinforced Fe-matrix composites treated by Q&amp;P process

A quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process was applied to vanadium carbide particle (VCp)-reinforced Fe-matrix composites (VC-Fe-MCs) to obtain a multiphase microstructure comprising VC, V₈C₇, M₃C, α-Fe, and γ-Fe. The effects of the austenitizing temperature and the quenching temperature on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear resistance of the VC-Fe-MCs were studied. The results show that the size of the carbide became coarse and that the shape of some particles began to transform from diffused graininess into a chrysanthemum-shaped structure with increasing austenitizing temperature. The microhardness decreased with increasing austenitizing temperature but substantially increased after wear testing compared with the microhardness before wear testing; the microhardness values improved by 20.0% ±2.5%. Retained austenite enhanced the impact toughness and promoted the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect to improve wear resistance under certain load conditions.     

Influence of original microstructure on the transformation behavior and mechanical properties of ultra-high-strength TRIP-aided steel

The transformation behavior and tensile properties of an ultra-high-strength transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel (0.2C-2.0Si-1.8Mn) were investigated by different heat treatments for automobile applications. The results show that F-TRIP steel, a traditional TRIP steel containing as-cold-rolled ferrite and pearlite as the original microstructure, consists of equiaxed grains of intercritical ferrite surrounded by discrete particles of M/RA and B. In contrast, M-TRIP steel, a modified TRIP-aided steel with martensite as the original microstructure, containing full martensite as the original microstructure is comprised of lath-shaped grains of ferrite separated by lath-shaped martensite/retained austenite and bainite. Most of the austenite in F-TRIP steel is granular, while the austenite in M-TRIP steel is lath-shaped. The volume fraction of the retained austenite as well as its carbon content is lower in F-TRIP steel than in M-TRIP steel, and austenite grains in M-TRIP steel are much finer than those in F-TRIP steel. Therefore, M-TRIP steel was concluded to have a higher austenite stability, resulting in a lower transformation rate and consequently contributing to a higher elongation compared to F-TRIP steel. Work hardening behavior is also discussed for both types of steel.     

低碳马氏体钢的细晶强化机理及其力学性能

对不同热处理条件下获得的低碳马氏体钢的微观组织及力学性能进行了系统的研究.实验结果表明,盐浴淬火热处理可以实现样品的快速、均匀加热,与常规的热处理条件相比,由于加热速度快、保温时间短,在材料完全奥氏体化初期或接近完全奥氏体化情况下,奥氏体晶粒还未长大,通过淬火得到较为细小的马氏体组织,可以获得力学性能优良的马氏体钢.通过优化的热处理参数可以将材料的抗拉强度和延伸率均提高10%以上.其中盐浴淬火在930℃×20s工艺下,抗拉强度达到1488GPa,延伸率为76%.