Formation Of Polygonal Ferrite Research Articles

Effect of B and B + Nb on the bainitic transformation in low carbon steels

Development of new, advanced high and ultra-high strength bainitic steels requires the selection of the optimum balance of bainite promoting elements allowing the production of the desired bainitic microstructure over a wide range of cooling rates. The addition of boron or a combined addition of boron and niobium is well known to retard strongly the polygonal ferrite formation but very little knowledge has been acquired on the bainitic transformation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of boron and boron plus niobium on the bainite transformation kinetics, microstructural evolution and mechanical properties in a low carbon steel (Fe–0.05C–1.49Mn–0.30Si). Isothermal and continuous cooling transformation diagrams were determined and followed by a detailed quantitative characterisation of the bainite microstructure and morphology using complementary advanced metallographic techniques (FEG-SEM-EBSD, SIMS and TEM). The relationship between microstructure and hardness has been evaluated. Finally, results of SIMS and TEM analyses coupled with microstructural investigations enable to propose a mechanism to explain the effect of the synergy between boron and niobium on the bainitic transformation and the resultant microstructure.

Effect of austenite microstructure and cooling rate on transformation characteristics in a low carbon Nb–V microalloyed steel

Deformation dilatometry has been used to simulate controlled hot rolling followed by cooling of a Nb–V low carbon steel, looking for conditions corresponding to wide austenite grain size distributions prior to transformation. Recrystallization and non-recrystallization deformation schedules were applied, followed by controlled cooling at rates from 0.1°C/s to about 200°C/s, and the corresponding continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams were constructed. The resultant microstructures ranged from polygonal ferrite (PF) and pearlite (P) at slow cooling rates to bainitic ferrite (BF) accompanied by martensite (M) for fast cooling rates. Plastic deformation of the parent austenite accelerated both ferrite and bainite transformations, displacing the CCT curve to higher temperatures and shorter times. However, it was found that the accelerating effect of strain on bainite transformation weakened as the cooling rate diminished and the polygonal ferrite formation was enhanced. Moreover, it was found that plastic deformation had different effects on the refinement of the microstructure, depending on the cooling rate. An analysis of the microstructural heterogeneities that can impair toughness behavior has been done.

Low-Temperature Toughening Mechanism in Thermomechanically Processed High-Strength Low-Alloy Steels

High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels were fabricated by varying thermomechanical processing conditions such as rolling and cooling conditions in the intercritical region, and the low-temperature toughening mechanism was investigated in terms of microstructure and the associated grain boundary characteristics. The steels acceleratedly cooled to relatively higher temperature had lower tensile strength than those acceleratedly cooled to room temperature due to the increased volume fraction of granular bainite or polygonal ferrite (PF) irrespective of rolling in the intercritical region, while the yield strength was dependent on intercritical rolling, and start and finish cooling temperatures, which affected the formation of PF and low-temperature transformation phases. The steel rolled in the intercritical region and cooled to 673 K (400 °C) provided the best combination of high yield strength and excellent low-temperature toughness because of the presence of fine PF and appropriate mixture of various low-temperature transformation phases such as granular bainite, degenerate upper bainite (DUB), lower bainite (LB), and lath martensite (LM). Despite the high yield strength, the improvement of low-temperature toughness could be explained by the reduction of overall effective grain size based on the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis data, leading to the decrease in ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT).

English

Four high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels with varying chemical compositions were forgedin two different temperature ranges followed by cooling in various media. Microstructures andmechanical properties of the steels were evaluated. The microstructures obtained in water–quenchedlow-carbon HSLA steels were lath martensite packet within the pancaked grains. On air or sandcooling predominantly bainitic ferrite or granular bainite structure forms. The strength propertiesof these steels decreased with decrease in cooling rate and is accompanied by an increase inelongation and impact toughness values. The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of HSLA-100grade steel was found to be – 40 oC. The impact fracture surface of air cooled HSLA-100 steel showedductile failure with formation of dimples at 20 oC and at – 20 oC. The fracture mode changed to brittlefailure with formation of cleavage and river pattern at – 40 oC and at – 60 oC. The microstructuresof the ultra-low carbon HSLA steel show lath ferrite or granular ferrite in water-quenched condition.With slower cooling rate, the volume fraction of lath ferrite decreased with an increase in formationof polygonal ferrite. The maximum strength value obtained in air-cooled condition is achieved dueto precipitation of fine microalloying carbides and carbonitrides. Slower cooling rate increases thevolume fraction of polygonal ferrite which increases the toughness value.

Effects of Molybdenum and Vanadium Addition on Tensile and Charpy Impact Properties of API X70 Linepipe Steels

This study is concerned with the effects of V and Mo addition on tensile and Charpy impact properties of API X70 linepipe steels. Twelve kinds of steel specimens were produced by varying V and Mo additions and rolling conditions. The addition of V and Mo promoted the formation of acicular ferrite (AF), banitic ferrite (BF), and martensite-austenite (MA) constituents, while suppressing the formation of polygonal ferrite (PF) or pearlite (P). The tensile test results indicated that the tensile strength of the specimens rolled in the two-phase region increased with the addition of V and Mo, while the yield strength did not vary much in these specimens except the water-cooled specimens, which showed the increased yield strength with addition of Mo. The tensile strength of specimens rolled in the single-phase region followed by water cooling increased with increasing V and Mo contents. The yield strength, however, did not vary much with increasing V content or with addition of Mo to the low-V alloy. In these specimens, a substantial increase in the strengths was achieved only when Mo was added to the high-V alloy. The specimens rolled in the single-phase region had higher upper-shelf energy (USE) and lower ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) than the specimens rolled in the two-phase region, because their microstructures were composed of AF and fine PF. According to the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis data, the effective grain size in AF was determined by crystallographic packets composed of a few fine grains having similar orientations. Thus, the decreased DBTT in the specimens rolled in the single-phase region could be explained by the decrease in the overall effective grain size due to the presence of AF having smaller effective grain size.

Transformation behavior and microstructural characteristics of acicular ferrite in linepipe steels

Transformation behavior and morphological characteristics of acicular ferrite in linepipe steels were investigated through the use of a dilatometer and EBSD. The results show that the volume fraction of acicular ferrite increased with an increase in the amount of hot-deformation in the austenite non-recrystallization region because acicular ferrite is formed at nucleation sites such as dislocations within austenite grains. This study found that acicular ferrite is formed at approximately 600 °C, where the transformation behavior can be characterized as a two-stage reaction: (i) nucleation of acicular ferrite and (ii) formation of polygonal ferrite between acicular ferrite grains. EBSD analyses show that an acicular ferrite grain consists of several sub-units misoriented by 1–2° and that a set of adjacent acicular ferrite grains with crystallographic misorientation below 15° makes up the crystallographic packet.

Effect of Thermomechanical Processing on Microstructures of TRIP Steel

Abstract In order to control retained austenite, the effect of hot deformation in the intercritical region on the micro-structure of hot-rolled transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel was studied on a Gleeble 1500 hot simulator. Compressive strains varying in amounts from 0 to 60% were imposed in the intercritical region, and effects on the formation of polygonal ferrite, carbide-free bainite and retained austenite were determined. With increasing the hot deformation amount and the ferrite content and decreasing the carbide-free bainite content, the volume fraction of retained austenite decreases. Increased dislocation density, grain refinement of ferrite and carbon enrichment are the main factors which control retained austenite stability.

Effects of Thermo-Mechanical Process on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Low Carbon HSLA Steels

Effects of deformation at austenite region and cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low carbon (0.06 wt. % C) high strength low alloy steels have been investigated. Average grain size decreased and polygonal ferrite transformation promoted with increasing deformation amount at austenite region due to increase of ferrite nucleation site. Microstructure was also influenced by cooling rate resulting in the development of a mixture of fine polygonal ferrite and acicular ferrite at 10°C/s cooling rate. Discontinuous yielding occurred in highly deformed specimen due to the formation of polygonal ferrite. However, small grain size of highly deformed specimen caused lower ductile-to-brittle transition temperature than slightly deformed specimen.

Effect of austenite deformation and chemical composition on the microstructure and hardness of low-carbon and ultralow-carbon bainitic steels

The effect of hot deformation and chemical composition on the microstructure and hardness of experimental grades of low-carbon and ultralow-carbon C-Mn-Mo-Nb-B steels is studied by the method of physical simulation. It is shown that deformation of austenite at a temperature below that of recrystallization leads to formation of polygonal ferrite and high-temperature ferrite with bainitic morphology. The effect is the most pronounced in boron-bearing steels. Simultaneous alloying with Mo, Nb, and B seems to be the most effective for ensuring high hardness.

Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) Effect Used in Forming of Carbon CMnSi Steel

Transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel combines high strength and high ductility that makes it particularly suitable for forming. Martensite within a ferrite matrix is usually obtained either by continuous casting of slabs followed by hot rolling (which is the fastest method, hence the most economical one, producing, however, relatively thick products) or by the continuous casting of slabs followed by hot rolling, cold rolling and annealing (the method used for thin products). High cooling rates, low coiling temperatures and low reduction during hot deformation were generally found to suppress the formation of polygonal ferrite and promote the presence of retained austenite. This paper focuses on development and modifications of two CMnSi-based TRIP steels with 0,23 % C;1,4 % Mn; 1,9 % Si; ( 0,08 % Nb) by means of laboratory thermomechanical processing. Description of experimental devices for the analysis of transformation plasticity under tensioncompression loading is given. Experiments were carried out on the simulator for thermaldeformation cycles SMITWELD and TANDEM was used for thermomechanical processing on the laboratory rolling mill. The maximum volume fraction of retained austenite and the resulting optimum combination of tensile strength and ductility were achieved in testing heats. Special attention was paid to volume fraction changes of single phases and to changes in morphology of phases. The results suggest that rather short isothermal bainite transformation times are sufficient to obtain TRIP microstructure. The influence of parameters of thermomechanical processing such as the amount of strain, forming temperature and austenitization time and temperature on microstructures of TRIP steels were evaluated.

Continuous cooling transformation of undeformed and deformed low carbon pipeline steels

The continuous cooling transformation (CCT) behaviors of three low carbon pipeline steels containing the different carbon and alloy additions such as Mn, Nb, V, Ti and/or Mo were investigated in the undeformed and deformed conditions, respectively. The corresponding static (without hot deformation) and dynamic (with hot deformation) CCT diagrams were constructed, which almost involved the formation curves of bainitic ferrite, acicular ferrite, polygonal ferrite, and pearlite. It was found that with the exception of V, the aforementioned alloy additions played a significant role in suppressing the formation of polygonal ferrite and promoting the formation of acicular ferrite. Furthermore, hot deformation could also strongly promote the formation of acicular ferrite, that is, the temperature zone of acicular ferrite transformation was enlarged from 400–600 °C in the static CCT diagrams to 450–700 °C in the dynamic CCT diagrams. The corresponding cooling rate range of acicular ferrite transformation was significantly increased, and the island constituents in acicular ferrite became finer due to hot deformation.

Effect of thermomechanical processing on the retained austenite content in a Si-Mn transformation-induced-plasticity steel

The influence of hot deformation on the microstructure of a hot-rolled Si-Mn transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) steel was evaluated in an effort to better control retained austenite content. In this study, axial compressive strains varying in amounts from 0 to 60 pct were imposed in the austenite phase field, and effects on the formation of polygonal ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite were determined. In addition, modifications in simulated coiling temperature from 420 °C to 480 °C and cooling rates from the rolling temperature, between 10 °C/s and 35 °C/s, were assessed. Fast cooling rates, low coiling temperatures, and low degrees of hot deformation were generally found to decrease the amount of polygonal ferrite and increase retained austenite fraction. Unexpectedly, a sharp increase in polygonal ferrite content and decrease in retained austenite content occurred when the fastest cooling rate, 35 °C/s, was coupled with extensive hot deformation and high coiling temperatures. This effect is believed to be due to insufficient time for full recovery and recrystallization of the deformed austenite, even in the absence of intentional microalloying additions to control recrystallization kinetics. The resultant decrease in hardenability allowed the ferrite transformation to continue into the holding time at high (simulated) coiling temperatures.

Effect of composition and austenite deformation on the transformation characteristics of low-carbon and ultralow-carbon microalloyed steels

Deformation dilatometry has been used to simulate controlled hot rolling followed by controlled cooling of a group of low- and ultralow-carbon microalloyed steels containing additions of boron and/or molybdenum to enhance hardenability. Each alloy was subjected to simulated recrystallization and nonrecrystallization rolling schedules, followed by controlled cooling at rates from 0.1 °C/s to about 100 °C/s, and the corresponding continuous-cooling-transformation (CCT) diagrams were constructed. The resultant microstructures ranged from polygonal ferrite (PF) for combinations of slow cooling rates and low alloying element contents, through to bainitic ferrite accompanied by martensite for fast cooling rates and high concentrations of alloying elements. Combined additions of boron and molybdenum were found to be most effective in increasing steel hardenability, while boron was significantly more effective than molybdenum as a single addition, especially at the ultralow carbon content. Severe plastic deformation of the parent austenite (>0.45) markedly enhanced PF formation in those steels in which this microstructural constituent was formed, indicating a significant effective decrease in their hardenability. In contrast, in those steels in which only nonequilibrium ferrite microstructures were formed, the decreases in hardenability were relatively small, reflecting the lack of sensitivity to strain in the austenite of those microstructural constituents forming in the absence of PF.

Effect of Composition and Prior Austenite Deformation on the Transformation Characteristics of Ultralow-Carbon Microalloyed Steels

Deformation dilatometry has been used to simulate controlled hot rolling followed by controlled cooling of a group of ultralow-carbon microalloyed steels containing additions of B and/or Mo to enhance hardenability. Each alloy was subjected to simulated recrystallisation and non-recrystallisation rolling schedules, followed by controlled cooling at rates from 0.1°C/s to about 100°C/s. The resulting transformation products were analysed using optical microscopy in conjunction with hardness measurements which, together with the dilatometry data, facilitated the construction of CCT diagrams. The resultant microstructures ranged from polygonal ferrite (PF) for combinations of slow cooling rates and low alloying element content, through to lath bainitic ferrite accompanied by martensite for fast cooling rates and high concentrations of alloying elements. The combined addition of B and Mo was found to be most effective in increasing steel hardenability, while B was significantly more effective than Mo as a single addition. Large plastic deformation of the prior austenite markedly enhanced PF formation, both in the base and Mo-containing steels, thus decreasing their hardenability significantly. In contrast, the steels containing B displayed only very small decreases in hardenability, resulting from the lack of sensitivity to strain in the austenite of the non-equilibrium microstructure constituents forming in the absence of PF.

Transformation during the isothermal deformation of low-carbon Nb-B steels

The transformation behavior during isothermal deformation of four steels containing different microalloying additions was investigated by means of the “strain-rate change” technique. The flow curves obtained at temperatures ranging from 620 °C to 850 °C, and the associated microstructures, indicate that the transformation in the Mo-Nb-B and Mo-B steels is of the austenite-to-bainite type. Here, dramatic increases in flow stress are observed at lower temperatures. By contrast, the transformation in the Nb-15B and Nb-64B steels is basically of the austenite-to-ferrite type; in these two grades, the flow stress increases observed are attributable to strengthening by NbC precipitation. Large intergranular and intragranular Fe23(C,B)6 particles were found in the Nb-64B steel samples deformed to ɛ=0.1 after holding for 60 seconds at 800°C. These large precipitates are considered to be responsible for accelerating the transformation in the Nb-64B steel by reducing the concentration of boron atoms available for boundary segregation and by acting as nucleation sites for the formation of polygonal ferrite. The flow curves of the Mo-Nb-B steel exhibit distinct serrations, indicating that a displacive mechanism is involved in the γ-to-B transformation.

Effect of Deformation and Cooling Rate on the Microstructures of Low Carbon Nb-B Steels.

The transformation behaviours and microstructural characteristics of three B-containing steels were investigated. In particular, the effects of deformation in the no-recrystallization temperature range and cooling rate were studied by means of compression tests. It was found that over a large cooling rate range (from 1 to 50°C/s), Mo-Nb-B steel exhibits microstructures consisting of a mixture of plate-like or lath-like ferrite with retained austenite or martensite (i.e. M/A) islands. This is basically a low carbon bainitic microstructure, and can be identified as B 3 in the Bramfitt and Speer classification system. The lengths of the ferrite laths increase and the widths decrease as the cooling rate is increased. The shapes and distributions of the M/A islands change from being blocky and randomly distributed to fine and more aligned, as the cooling rate is increased. Also, the lengths of the bainitic ferrite laths are shortened by heavy deformation in the no-recrystallization temperature range. The microstructures of the Nb-15B and B-only steels are basically polygonal ferrite at low cooling rates; however, the fractions of bainite in these two grades increase with cooling rate. The minimum cooling rate required for avoiding polygonal ferrite formation during continuous cooling are much higher in these two grades than in the Mo-Nb-B steel.

Effect of sulfur content on the microstructure and toughness of simulated Heat-Affected zone in Ti-Killed steels

Four Ti-killed steels were made to study the specific influence of sulfur on the inclusion, microstructure, and toughness of a simulated heat-affected zone (HAZ). The HAZ toughness was mainly determined by the volume fraction of intragranular acicular ferrite (IAF) which was closely related to the supercooling required to initiate austenite to ferrite transformation. The extent of supercooling was strongly influenced by the composition of grain boundary and inclusions. Sulfur addition up to 102 ppm caused a segregation of sulfur to the grain boundaries and a change of inclusion phase from predominantly Ti-oxides to Ti-oxysulphides and MnS. This behavior, in turn, suppressed the formation of polygonal ferrite and promoted the formation of IAF. Further addition of sulfur elevated transformation temperature and promoted the formation of polygonal ferrite due to the refinement of grain size and the increase of grain boundary associated inclusions. A methodology was proposed to evaluate the intragranular nucleation potential of inclusions, and the results showed that Ti-oxysulphides possessed better nucleation potential for IAF than Ti-oxides and MnS. With the lowest transformation temperature and most effective nuclei, the best HAZ toughness can be obtained at sulfur content of 102 ppm due to the achievement of the maximum volume fraction of IAF.

Effects of chemical composition, rolling and cooling conditions on the amount of martensite/austenite (M/A) constituent formation in low carbon bainitic steels

To understand the controlled-rolled granular bainite structure, a series of high-strength low-alloy steels was specially designed and investigated. The effects of the chemical composition, the finish-rolling temperature, and the cooling rate on the amount of martensite/austenite (M/A) constituent formation in the as-rolled alloy steels were evaluated. It was found that for steels containing the same addition of Nb (0.045 wt.%), the granular bainite transformation was retarded with an increased carbon content ranging from 0.021 to 0.056 wt.%. As the carbon content was raised, more niobium combined with carbon to form carbide, and the austenite therefore became niobium-depleted. This effect significantly influenced the granular bainite transformation for the steels studied. It is also shown that the effects of Mn and Mo on the formation of second phases are different from that of carbon. These alloying elements tend to promote the M/A constituent and depress pearlite formation. As to the effect of rolling temperature, it is shown that as the finish-rolling temperature is lowered, the larger strain accumulated in austenite enhances polygonal ferrite formation along the previous austenite grain boundaries, and reduces the amount of M/A constituent. Furthermore, based on a thermodynamic analysis, it is indicated that the granular bainite transformation terminates as the carbon content of austenite reaches the T O curve. The critical carbon content increases with the decrease of the granular bainite transformation temperature. It was also found that the amount of M/A constituent formation decreases with the increase in cooling rate. This result is not consistent with that reported by Shiga et al., Tetsu-to-Hagane, 68 (1982) A227 and Bufalini et al., Accelerated cooling of steel,

Continuous cooling transformations and microstructures in a low-carbon, high-strength low-alloy plate steel

A continuous-cooling-transformation (CCT) diagram was determined for a high-strength low-alloy plate steel containing (in weight percent) 0.06 C, 1.45 Mn, 1.25 Cu, 0.97 Ni, 0.72 Cr, and 0.42 Mo. Dilatometric measurements were supplemented by microhardness testing, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The CCT diagram showed significant suppression of polygonal ferrite formation and a prominent transformation region, normally attributed to bainite formation, at temperatures intermediate to those of polygonal ferrite and martensite formation. In the intermediate region, ferrite formation in groups of similarly oriented crystals about 1 μm in size and containing a high density of dislocations dominated the transformation of austenite during continuous cooling. The ferrite grains assumed two morphologies, elongated or acicular and equiaxed or granular, leading to the terms “acicular ferrite” and “granular ferrite,” respectively, to describe these structures. Austenite regions, some transformed to martensite, were enriched in carbon and retained at interfaces between ferrite grains. Coarse interfacial ledges and the nonacicular morphology of the granular ferrite grains provided evidence for a phase transformation mechanism involving reconstructive diffusion of substitutional atoms. At slow cooling rates, polygonal ferrite and Widmanstatten ferrite formed. These latter structures contained low dislocation densities and e-copper precipitates formed by an interphase transformation mechanism.

Transformation processes and products for C–Mn steels during continuous cooling

The continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams for four C–Mn steels were constructed using dilatometry and metallography. All diagrams involved the formation curves of second phases and the formation curves of matrix structures. Between polygonal ferrite and martensite, acicularferrite and bainite were observed. The formation of acicularferrite was associated with a kinetic change which was an indication of the formation of second phases such as pearlite, pseudopearlite, and martensite. The pseudopearlite wasfound to form by separate precipitation of cementite and ferrite in austenite. It was thought that the transformation of martensite second phases followed a Kurdjumov–Sachs relationship. Three types of carbide, i.e. upper bainitic, lower bainitic, and Widmanstätten, were observed in continuously cooled bainite. An increase of manganese content suppressed the formation of polygonal ferrite, promoted the formation of acicular ferrite and bainite, and changed the second phase from pearlite to pseudopearlite and to martensite.MST/913