Investigations on Effect of Nickel Content and Powder Metallurgy Parameters in High Strength Low Alloy Steel Properties

Abstract

Different types of HSLA steels are developed and used for making structural components, like offshore bridge structures, power transmission towers, light poles, aircraft landing gears and pipes for gas and oil applications, parts of farm and construction machinery. The choice of HSLA type depends on upon the required application, like corrosion resistance, thickness and ability to form and weld parts. The HSLA steel components are manufactured conventionally as billets by casting and then they are machined, formed and (or) welded to make required parts. In recent times, the powder metallurgy is popular in fabricating HSLA components. The current work is focused on making powder metallurgy HSLA components by varying the Ni contents and sintered under hydrogen and argon atmospheres, hot forged and homogenised for different durations to understand the Ni content and P/M route process parameters. The primary objective of our research is to investigate the effects of the percentage of three various Ni content using three different P/M route. The specimens are made using elemental powders of HSLA steels such as chromium, manganese, molybdenum and nickel as per the ASME standards and are tested and the outcome are analysed to estimate the improvements in mechanical properties and in densification.