Fine Ferrite Grains Research Articles

Tensile Behavior of Ferrite-Carbide and Ferrite-Martensite Steels with Different Ferrite Grain Structures

Ferrite-carbide and ferrite-martensite dual-phase microstructures have been produced in a low-carbon steel with different ferrite grain structures such as, uniform distribution of coarse- and very fine-ferrite grains, and bimodal distribution of ferrite grain sizes comprising of coarse grains (~12 μm) and very fine grains (<2 μm). Very fine-grained dual-phase structure offered the best combination of tensile-strength and ductility among all the samples. The above microstructures have been compared in terms of their strain-hardening rate and the mechanism of plastic deformation.

The effect of processing parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low-Si transformation-induced plasticity steels

A base low Si, high-Al transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel and one with 0.03Nb and 0.02Ti (wt%) additions were subjected to thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) and galvanising simulations. The microstructure and mechanical properties were analysed using a combination of optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and tensile testing and the results compared with those from intercritically annealed–galvanised steels. The addition of Nb and Ti results in microstructure refinement and an increase in the amount of the retained austenite after TMP which in turn, leads to increases in the tensile strength (~750 MPa) and the total elongation (TE) (~29 %). A deterioration in the volume fraction of retained austenite and the mechanical properties was noted in both steels after the additional galvanising simulation. For the base steel, all TMP and galvanised samples presented with continuous yielding during tensile testing. The Nb–Ti steel exhibited discontinuous yielding and extended Lüders banding when TMP was followed by a longer coiling time. Both steels returned discontinuous yielding after the intercritical annealing–galvanising treatment. The discontinuous yielding behaviour was associated with the much finer ferrite grain size in the intercritically annealed steels and the ageing processes that take place during galvanising.

Multi-Phase-Field Simulation of Flow Stress and Microstructural Evolution during Deformation-Induced Ferrite Transformation in a Fe–C Alloy

Deformation-induced ferrite transformation (DIFT) is one of the most effective ways of refining ferrite grains in steel. In this study, we employed a multi-phase-field (MPF) model to simulate both variations in macroscopic flow stress and microstructural evolution during DIFT. Using the MPF model, two-dimensional simulations of DIFT in a Fe–C alloy were performed to investigate the effects of strain rate, austenite grain size, and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of the ferrite phase on flow stress curve and ferrite grain size. The results demonstrated that increasing the rate of ferrite nucleation by increasing the strain rate and reducing the austenite grain size is essential to obtaining fine-grained ferrite. The results of the simulations also indicated that it is important to reduce the interfacial mobility and increase the nucleation rate of the ferrite grains subjected to DRX in order to obtain ultrafine-grained ferrite by DIFT when it is accompanied by DRX of the ferrite phase. Thus, the MPF model is an effective tool for elucidating the correlation between the variation in the flow stress and the evolution of the ferrite grains during DIFT.

Microstructure feature of friction stir butt-welded ferritic ductile iron

This study conducted friction stir welding (FSW) by using the butt welding process to join ferritic ductile iron plates and investigated the variations of microsturcture in the joined region formed after welding. No defects appeared in the resulting experimental weld, which was formed using a 3-mm thick ductile iron plate and tungsten carbide alloy stir rod to conduct FSW at a rotational speed of 982rpm and traveling speed of 72mm/min. The welding region was composed of deformed graphite, martensite phase, and dynamically recrystallized ferrite structures. In the surface region and on the advancing side (AS), the graphite displayed a striped configuration and the ferritic matrix transformed into martensite. On the retreating side (RS), the graphite surrounded by martensite remained as individual granules and the matrix primarily comprised dynamically recrystallized ferrite. After welding, diffusion increased the carbon content of the austenite around the deformed graphite nodules, which transformed into martensite during the subsequent cooling process. A micro Vickers hardness test showed that the maximum hardness value of the martensite structures in the weld was approximately 800HV. An analysis using an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer (EPMA) indicated that its carbon content was approximately 0.7–1.4%. The peak temperature on the RS, 8mm from the center of the weld, measured 630°C by the thermocouple. Overall, increased severity of plastic deformation and process temperature near the upper stir zone (SZ) resulted in distinct phase transformation. Furthermore, the degree of plastic deformation on the AS was significantly greater than that on the RS, and relatively complete graphite granules and the fine ferrite grains resulting from dynamic recrystallization were observed on the RS.

A novel thermomechanical approach to produce a fine ferrite and low-temperature bainitic composite microstructure

A novel thermomechanical processing was developed in the present study to produce a unique microstructure consisting of fine ferrite grains (i.e. ∼4μm on average) and low-temperature bainite in a relatively low-carbon steel with a modest hardenability. The thermomechanical route consisted of warm deformation of supercooled austenite followed by reheating in the ferrite region and then cooling to the bainitic transformation regime (i.e. 400–200°C). The low-temperature bainite consisted of high dislocation density bainitic laths and very fine retained austenite films. This microstructure offered a high work hardening rate leading to a unique combination of ultimate tensile strength and elongation. This was due to the presence of ductile fine ferrite grains and hard low-temperature bainitic ferrite laths with retained austenite films. The microstructural characteristics of bainite were studied using optical microscopy in conjunction with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and atom probe tomography techniques.

Microstructure, texture, property relationship in thermo-mechanically processed ultra-low carbon microalloyed steel for pipeline application

An ultra-low carbon Ti-containing microalloyed steel has been thermo-mechanically controlled rolled and water-quenched. Microstructural characterization of the samples finish rolled in the temperature range of 750–850°C revealed the presence of polygonal ferrite, quasi-polygonal ferrite, acicular ferrite and granular bainite. Micro-texture study showed the dominance of random texture and cube orientation at higher deformation temperatures, whilst, α-fiber and γ-fiber components intensified with the decrease in finish rolling temperature. Characteristic ferrite-bainite microstructure with fine ferrite grain size (<4µm) and a uniform distribution of fine TiC particles (<100nm) offered decent combination of strength (yield strength: 478–497MPa, ultimate tensile strength: 557–571MPa), ductility (total elongation: 20–26%), and impact toughness (110–114J at −40°C). Such a combination of mechanical properties makes the steel a potential choice for pipeline application.

Effect of roll speed ratio on deformation characteristics of IF steel subjected to differential speed rolling

The paper investigates the effect of the roll speed ratio on the deformation characteristics of interstitial free (IF) steel processed by the differential speed rolling (DSR) technique. An intense plastic strain induced by a single DSR with various roll speed ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:4 for the lower and upper rolls was successfully imparted to the samples, resulting in the formation of fine elongated ferrite grains as the roll speed ratio increased. Observations of the preferred orientation using electron back-scattered diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the {110} slip was readily activated as the dominant deformation mode in order to accommodate the intense plastic strain imposed by the DSR. In addition, the microhardness values of the IF steel sample deformed via DSR under a roll speed ratio of 1:4 increased, and this is discussed on basis of the frictional force between the roll and the sample during DSR deformation.

Parameters optimization of low carbon low alloy steel annealing process

A suitable match of annealing process parameters is critical for obtaining the fine microstructure of material. Low carbon low alloy steel (20CrMnTi) was heated for various durations near Ac temperature to obtain fine pearlite and ferrite grains. Annealing temperature and time were used as independent variables, and material property data were acquired by orthogonal experiment design under intercritical process followed by subcritical annealing process (IPSAP). The weights of plasticity (hardness, yield strength, section shrinkage and elongation) of annealed material were calculated by analytic hierarchy process, and then the process parameters were optimized by the grey theory system. The results observed by SEM images show that microstructure of optimization annealing material are consisted of smaller lamellar pearlites (ferrite-cementite) and refining ferrites which distribute uniformly. Morphologies on tension fracture surface of optimized annealing material indicate that the numbers of dimple fracture show more finer toughness obviously comparing with other annealing materials. Moreover, the yield strength value of optimization annealing material decreases apparently by tensile test. Thus, the new optimized strategy is accurate and feasible.

Development of ultrafine grains in C–Mn steel plates through hot-rolling and air-cooling

Ultrafine grained steel (grain size 2–3µm) that has a numerous futuristic applications in automobile and engineering industry has been developed in laboratory scale with plain C–Mn and C–Mn–Nb, C–Mn–V compositions. Three heats (25kg each) of different chemistries were made in a laboratory induction furnace and hot-rolled into 20mm thick plates initially in a 2 high/4 high experimental rolling mill. Dilatometry was carried out to determine the transformation temperatures. Subsequently, hot-compression tests were performed in a thermo-mechanical simulator with designed parameters and optimum processing window for obtaining fine and uniform through-thickness ferrite grains. The experimental steels were further hot-rolled to 4mm plates in 3 passes and then air-cooled. Optical microscopy, SEM and TEM studies confirmed the presence of uniform through-thickness ultrafine ferrite grains in the range of 2.5–3.5µm in the experimental steels. Both tensile and Charpy impact toughness properties were found to be good in these steels. Yield strength of 422MPa, 472MPa and 594MPa with 22–23% elongation could be achieved in plain C–Mn, C–Mn–Nb and C–Mn–V steels respectively. Charpy V-notch energies of these steels were 44J, 68J and 44J at −20°C respectively. Uniform through-thickness ultrafine grains resulted in the substantial improvement of strength and toughness of the experimental steels.

Microstructure and Properties of Ultrafast Annealed High Strength Steel

The grain size, recrystallization, phase transformation and mechanical properties of a cold-rolled high-strength steel (HSS) are studied after annealing with high (~140°C/s) and ultra-high (~1500°C/s) reheating rate, followed by subsequent water quenching without isothermal soaking. By monitoring the hardness and microstructure, it was shown that the increase of the reheating rate from 140°C/s to 1500°C/s causes grain refinement from 5 µm to 1 µm in diameter and the final ferrite grain size depends significantly on the reheating temperature and reheating rate. It was observed that after an extreme reheating rate of ~1500°C/s the α-γ phase transformation starts before the completion of recrystallization in the recovered matrix. The crystallographic texture of the ultrafast reheated and water-quenched high-strength steel inherits the cold-rolled deformation texture with well pronounced RD and ND texture fibres, even after the α-γ-α′ phase transformations. It was found that the ultrafast reheating results in a very fine non-equilibrium ferrite-martensite structure with an excellent ultimate tensile strength of ~1400 MPa and an acceptable elongation at fracture. The observed data are very promising from industrial application point of view and open up possibilities for further structural refinement and alternative texture control.

Effect of microstructure and composition on hydrogen permeation in X70 pipeline steels

The influence of microstructure and composition on permeation of hydrogen in 1.2 and 0.5 wt.% Mn X70 pipeline steels after different processing was investigated using an electrochemical permeation technique.For 1.2 wt.% Mn (standard Mn) steel, the microstructure of normalised transfer bar was coarse equiaxed ferrite grains. This sample exhibited the highest diffusivity, followed by transfer bar, with a mixed ferrite–bainitic ferrite microstructure; and hot rolled strip, with fine elongated ferrite grains.The 0.5 wt.% Mn (medium Mn) strip displayed lower diffusivity than the 1.2 wt.% Mn strip, due to hydrogen trapping by finer ferrite grains and a higher density of carbonitride precipitates. Moreover, the medium Mn strip exhibited a uniform microstructure and consequently similar diffusion coefficients for the edge and centreline regions, whereas the finer grains of the edge region of the standard Mn strip resulted in a lower diffusivity than the centreline region.

Development of Bimodal Ferrite-Grain Structures in Low-Carbon Steel Using Rapid Intercritical Annealing

Mixed ferrite grain structures, which have fine- and coarse-grain regions and showing “bimodal” grain size distributions, have been produced by rapid intercritical annealing of warm-rolled (or cold-rolled) samples. Microstructural changes have been analyzed using dilatometric studies, size prediction of transformed and recrystallized grains, and microtexture measurements. Fine austenite grains (<5 μm) developed during rapid annealing and transformed into fine-ferrite grains (2 to 4 μm) after cooling. Coarse-ferrite grains (28 to 42 μm) resulted from the recrystallization and growth of deformed ferrite. The effect of heating rate on microstructural morphologies during intercritical annealing has also been studied. A slow rate of heating (30 K/s) developed a uniform distribution of fine-ferrite grains and austenitic islands, while rapid heating (300 K/s) generated coarse blocks of austenite, elongated along the prior-pearlitic regions, in the ferrite matrix. As expected, bimodal ferrite grain structures or fine-scale dual-phase structures showed superior combination of tensile strength and ductility, compared to the ultrafine-grained steels.

Effects of Rolling and Cooling Conditions on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Low Carbon Cold Heading Steel

Effects of rolling and cooling conditions on microstructure and mechanical properties of low carbon cold heading steel were investigated on a laboratory hot rolling mill. The results have shown that the mechanical properties of low carbon steels exceed the standard requirements of ML30, ML35, ML40, and ML45 steel, respectively due to thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP). This is attributed to a significant amount of pearlite and the ferrite-grain refinement. Under the condition of relatively low temperature rolling, the mechanical properties exceed standard requirements of ML45 and ML30 steel after water cooling and air cooling, respectively. Fast cooling which leads to more pearlite and finer ferrite grains is more critical than finish rolling temperatures for low carbon cold heading steel. The specimen at high finish rolling temperature exhibits very good mechanical properties due to fast cooling. This result has great significance not only for energy saving and emission reduction, but also for low-carbon economy, because the goals of the replacement of medium-carbon by low-carbon are achieved with TMCP.

Study on Forming Mechanism of Lamination Defect of AH36 Shipbuilding Plate Steel

The lamination defect makes the mechanical properties deterioration along the thickness of steel plate and therefore finding out the forming mechanism is of great significance for production of shipbuilding plate steel. The tensile fracture and microstructure characteristics on AH36 shipbuilding plate steel of lamination defect were studied with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), etc. The results show that the strength-toughness properties vary widely at different thickness of the steel plate due to different ferrite grain size, and the center zone firstly yields and steps into plastic deformation stage due to coarse ferrite grain subjected to tensile stress, while the surface zone is still in elastic deformation stage due to relatively fine ferrite grain. The inconsistency of deformation and fracture leads to fracture separation, namely lamination. The continuous banded Widmanstätten structure, strip-shaped sulphide inclusions and mixed ferrite grain distributed at the center of shipbuilding plate steel create conditions for the lamination defect, which are important reasons for fracture separation. Widmanstätten structure at the center of steel plate has relationship with coarse austenite grain, and strip-shaped sulphide inclusions have relationship with centerline segregation of continuous casting slab during solidification process.

Modeling of the γ → α transformation in steels

A mathematical physically based model of the decomposition of undercooled austenite (γ-phase) with the formation of ferrite (α-phase) and pearlite has been developed. The model differs from the currently existing analogs by a new approach to the inclusion of the effect of complex alloying of steels on the nucleation rate of ferrite grains and on the mobility of the α/γ-phase boundary. In the model, the effect of alloying of steels with substitutional elements on the diffusion coefficient of carbon in the bulk of austenite is taken into account. The results of the modeling of the kinetics of austenite decomposition and the calculation of the final ferrite grain size are in good quantitative agreement with the experimental data obtained for a set of steels with a wide range of chemical compositions.

Annealing behavior of severely deformed IF steel via the differential speed rolling method

The present study was made to demonstrate the annealing behavior of severely deformed interstitial free (IF) steel processed by differential speed rolling (DSR). The initial ferrite grain size of ≈35μm was significantly refined to ≈0.7μm after four DSR operations corresponding to the effective strain of ≈1.7 under the roll speed ratio of 1:4 for lower and upper rolls. Microstructural observations revealed that most of the initial coarse ferrite grains were subdivided with an aid of dislocation activities, resulting in the formation of fine ferrite grains. During post-DSR annealing at 673–773K, the grain size of the fine ferrite grains was observed to remain unchanged, which implied that static recovery was in progress. At 823K, the microstructure exhibited the coarse recrystallized ferrite grains while the grain growth of ferrite grains started to take place above 873K. Mechanical properties were also assessed by taking the annealing characteristics of the ultrafine grained IF steel into consideration.

Strain‐Induced Development of Very Fine Ferrite‐Cementite Structures in Eutectoid Steels

AbstractThe development of duplex microstructures consisting of very fine ferrite grains and spheroidized cementite particles during concurrent hot deformation has been investigated by hot torsion in a eutectoid steel. It is shown that the hot deformation of the undercooled austenite at temperatures close to Ar1 induces and accelerates significantly the γ‐to‐pearlite transformation. Further deformation of the transforming pearlite does not lead only to the instantaneous spheroidization of the cementite lamellae but also refines the ferrite orientations units from 15 to 3 µm. Microstructures consisting of very fine ferrite grains (3 µm) and submicron cementite particles are produced at strain levels larger than ε = 1.5. The initial grains undergo progressive fragmentation by the generation of low angle boundaries (LABs) by dynamic recovery that progressively transform into high angle boundaries (HABs). The progressive increase of LABs misorientation is attributed to the presence of cementite particles and is referred to as continuous dynamic recrystallization (cDRX). Fine prior austenite grain size and moderate strain rates are found to promote the occurrence of cDRX. The resulting torsion textures consist of a strong 〈111〉 fiber dominated by the D {112} 〈111〉 component. During the subsequent annealing step, cementite particles coarsen preferentially at the triple junctions whereas the very fine ferrite grain are stable due to the strong pinning effect exerted by the cementite particles.

A Technology for Producing Hot Rolled Product of Cold Heading Steel

In the present paper, thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) of low carbon cold heading steel was conducted by a laboratory hot rolling mill. The results have shown that the mechanical properties of the low carbon cold heading steel can be significantly improved by TMCP without heat treatment. The enhancement of the mechanical properties for the low carbon cold heading steel is attributed mainly to the finer ferrite grain size, and it is also related to the remaining dislocations within substructure of the cold heading steel after deformation. A technology is developed for producing hot rolled product of cold heading steel with improved mechanical properties. The technology has great significance because processing flow is simplified, and manufacture cost is decreased.

Grain Refinement of a Cold Rolled TRIP Assisted Steel after Ultra Short Annealing

Recrystallization and austenite formation in a TRIP-assisted steel during conventional and ultra fast reheating for intercritical annealing are studied with the purpose to clarify the possibility for grain refinement. Partially recrystallized (or transformed) samples were prepared by reheating and water quenching to temperatures between 650 and 1050°C at reheating rates of 10, 50, and 3000 °C/s, respectively, without isothermal soaking from 95% cold rolled steel sheet with ferrite-pearlite microstructure. By monitoring the hardness and microstructure, it was shown that the increase of the reheating rate from 10 to 3000°C/s causes grain refinement from 5µm to 1µm in diameter and the final ferrite grain size depends significantly on both reheating temperature and reheating rate. It was observed that after an extreme reheating rate of 3000°C/s the α-γ phase transformation starts before the completion of the recrystallization. This opens up possibilities for further structural refinement and alternative texture control.

The Formation of Ultrafine Ferrite and Low Temperature Bainite through Thermomechanical Processing

In the current study, a novel approach was employed to produce a unique combination of ultrafine ferrite grains and low temperature bainite in a low carbon steel with a high hardenability. The thermomechanical route included warm deformation of supercooled austenite followed by reheating in the ferrite region and then cooling to bainitic transformation regime (i.e. 400-250°C). The resultant microstructure was ultrafine ferrite grains (i.e. &lt;4μm) and very fine bainite consisting of bainitic ferrite laths with high dislocation density and retained austenite films. This microstructure offers a unique combination of ultimate tensile strength and elongation due to the presence of ductile fine ferrite grains and hard low temperature bainitic ferrite laths with retained austenite films. The microstructural characteristics of bainite were studied using optical microscopy in conjunction with scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques.