Metastable Austenitic Steel Research Articles

Bending fatigue behavior of metastable and stable austenitic stainless steels with different surface morphologies

AbstractThe surface morphology has a significant influence on the fatigue behavior of components. For austenitic stainless steels (ASSs), this issue is even more pronounced due to their metastability. Based on the complex deformation mechanisms of metastable ASSs, which include dislocation slip, deformation twinning, and deformation‐induced martensitic phase transformation, the metastable stainless steel AISI 347 was investigated in this study together with the stable AISI 904L as a reference material. Four‐point bending fatigue tests with load ratio R = 0.1 and testing frequency f = 10 Hz at ambient temperature were carried out on specimens with five technically relevant surface morphologies: mechanical polished, milled, microshot peened, laser shock‐peened, and ultrasonic modified. Systematic material characterizations were carried out to elucidate the crucial role of surface roughness and deformation‐induced α′‐martensite in the fatigue behavior of both metastable and stable materials. While surface roughness is a well‐known key factor in conventional fatigue cases, deformation‐induced martensite layers implemented by various surface modification methods were proven to improve the fatigue life in metastable austenitic steels, opening new perspectives to extend the lifetime of ASS components.

Development of Material Sensors Made of Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steel for Load Monitoring

AbstractMetastable stainless steels can be used as a load-sensitive sensor. In combination with an eddy current testing system, mechanical overloads of a component can be detected directly during operation. Material sensors were prepared by shot peening fatigue specimen of metastable austenitic steel to obtain a martensitic surface layer and a local heating by a laser beam to obtain an austenitic area in the layer. In order to investigate the response of the material sensor to overload and achieve different trigger thresholds, the thermal energy applied to create the sensor material and the geometry of the material sensors were varied. It is shown that the austenitized volume and the martensite fraction in the material sensor correlate with the phase of the eddy current signals. Starting from the martensitic surface layer, the phase decreases as the austenitized volume increases. If martensite formation takes place due to an overload, the phase increases as a result. To determine the threshold stress needed to trigger the material sensor, cyclic rotating bending tests were carried out on austenitic stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304). In step tests, the bending stress was gradually increased and subsequently ex-situ eddy current testing was carried out. The potential for predicting and classifying an overload is significantly greater with a higher applied thermal energy. Three different sensor geometries (rhombus, cross and ring) were employed in tests. In comparison, the rhombus-shaped material sensor provided the greatest potential for load history interpretation due to the significant phase change.

Using Poisson’s ratio and acoustic anisotropy parameter to assess damage and accumulated plastic strain during fatigue loading of austenitic steel

The work investigated the effect of fatigue failure on the elastic characteristics of metastable austenitic steel AISI 321: Poisson’s ratio and acoustic anisotropy parameter. The elastic characteristics were calculated using ultrasonic measurements of the propagation time of longitudinal and shear elastic waves. The volume fraction of strain-induced martensite was determined by the eddy current method. Theoretical studies have shown that the main factors influencing Poisson’s ratio are the accumulation of microdamages and changes in phase composition. The change in the acoustic anisotropy parameter is associated with the influence of cyclic deformation on the crystallographic texture of the material matrix and the formation of oriented crystals of strain-induced martensite. Based on the analysis of experimental results, expressions were obtained for calculating damage and relative accumulated plastic deformation based on acoustic measurement data, which are widely used in engineering practice to determine the fatigue life of structural materials.

Evaluation of the fatigue life of AISI 347 specimens with small notches based on local strain considerations

The use of materials data for cyclic loading determined on unnotched specimens to predict the fatigue life of notched components has a long tradition, specifically when it comes to nuclear engineering. The basic principle is that the material behaviour of the unnotched specimens can be transferred to what the material is exposed to be in a notch root. This principle has been proven for large notches. However, what happens when the notch is relatively small? Can the fatigue life still be predicted on the grounds of what has been considered as the local strain or Neuber approach? A key reference in that regard is the Neuber equation or generally the load versus notch stress, notch strain – or any combination of those – relationship. In a larger study, unnotched and notched specimens from the metastable austenitic steel AISI 347 have been tested and characterized providing a database that may give some answers to the question raised above.The unnotched specimens considered here had a cross-section diameter of 10 mm while the notch radii of the notched components were only 0.5 and 0.35 mm, respectively. Notch radii of such dimensions will easily reach a fully plastic condition once the material has exceeded the yield limit, because the difference in load between yield start in the notch and full plastification is relatively small. This fully plastic state exceeds the validity of the Neuber equation and requires respective corrections. In this paper it is shown how such corrections can be obtained through a finite element analysis and how this applies to the cases mentioned above.

Electropolishing study of metastable austenitic steel AISI 347 for EBSD analyses

Abstract For the metastable austenitic steel AISI 347 (X6CrNiNb18-10), various electropolishing parameters were evaluated by means of hardness testing, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and atomic force microscopy. Depending on the chosen parameters, different surface characteristics could be achieved simply by only varying voltage, flow rate, and polishing time, although EBSD indexing was always possible. Differences in hardness of up to 20 HV0.5 and in microscopic roughness could be detected on otherwise comparable samples. Finally, the microstructure distribution of a hot rolled bar material with a diameter of 153 mm made from AISI 347 was characterized over the cross section using the previously determined parameter set. Here, insights about recrystallization during forming were concluded and δ-ferrite was differentiated from α’-martensite by kernel average misorientation and morphology.

Martensitic transformation-governed Lüders deformation enables large ductility and late-stage strain hardening in ultrafine-grained austenitic stainless steel at low temperatures

Deformation-induced martensitic transformation that rapidly occurs generally leads to a significant reduction in elongation of metastable austenitic steels, particularly at low temperatures. However, we proved that the ultrafine-grained 304 stainless steel is an exception. Using a hybrid method of in situ neutron diffraction and digital image correlation, we found that this material exhibits Lüders deformation after yielding, in which the deformation behavior changes from a cooperation mechanism involving dislocation slip and martensitic transformation to one primarily governed by martensitic transformation, as the temperature decreases from 295 K to 77 K. Such martensitic transformation-governed Lüders deformation delays the activation of plastic deformation in both the austenite parent and martensite product, resulting in delayed strain hardening. This preserves the strain-hardening capability for the later stage of deformation, thereby maintaining a remarkable elongation of 29 % while achieving a high tensile strength of 1.87 GPa at 77 K. Insights from this study point to a feasible pathway to achieve both high strength and high ductility by rearranging the deformation modes of ultrafine-grained materials.

A data-driven approach to model the martensitic transformation temperature in strain-induced metastable austenitic steels

Strain-induced metastable austenitic stainless steels form an important class of materials in metallurgical industries for their wide range of applications. These steels undergo austenite-martensite phase transformation at temperatures above martensite start temperature, Ms, at which martensite is formed on mechanical deformation, also known as the Md temperature. Md temperature depends on several factors related to the steel and is important from alloy design perspective. In the literature, there are quite a few equations based on composition of the steels for the prediction of Md temperature. However, it is well known that the transformation from austenite to martensite is dependent on the austenite grain size as well as deformation conditions i.e. strain, strain rate and temperature of deformation. In the present work, the role of those parameters has also been considered. The model is implemented using fourteen input parameters viz., composition, grain size, amount of strain, temperature of deformation, and strain rate. The architecture of the neural network model is optimized rigorously to predict the Md temperature on a par with actual value. It has been shown that grain size and strain rate have very negligible influence whereas strain and temperature of deformation have quite strong role. Md temperature is increased with increasing strain whereas the temperature of deformation shows opposite dependence on it. An empirical equation thus, has been established to calculate the Md temperature of a steel as a function of its composition, grain size, temperature of deformation and strain. The final optimized model is then deployed to predict the Md temperature of different steels and predictions are found to be in close agreement to the experimentally measured Md temperatures. The developed model is general and can be extended to include other parameters as well as various other steel alloys.

Cyclic transformation strengthening in Fe-24Ni-0.3C metastable austenitic steel

Cyclic transformation strengthening in Fe-24Ni-0.3C metastable austenitic steel

STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FATIGUE CHARACTERISTICS AND ELASTIC MODULUS OF METASTABLE AUSTENITIC STEELS

This work is devoted to studying the influence of cyclic deformation on the elastic moduli of metastable austenitic steel. The estimated calculation of the modules of the strain-induced martensite and the modules of the matrix of the material (austenite) in the Voigt approximation. The modulus calculations were made according to the ultrasonic wave velocity measurements taking into account changes in the density of the material due to the difference in the volumes of the unit cells of the matrix and the ??-martensite. The volume fraction of ??-martensite and its change during cyclic deformation were determined by the eddy-current method. The influence of the strain cycle amplitude on the increase in the volume fraction of martensite was studied. The dependences of the relative change in Young's modulus, shear modulus, volume compression modulus on the number of loading cycles for metastable steel 12Kh18N10T are given. Relationships between the moduli change and the characteristics of cyclic loading of steel are obtained: the hardening of the material and the energy density in the cycle, used to calculate the service life using the methods of deformable solid mechanics. Studies shown that the critical change in the modules corresponding to the appearance of a microcrack depends on the strain cycle amplitude.The maximum change in the modules of metastable steel 12Kh18N10T was 4.5%; that by an order more than in steels that don't undergo phase transformations. A high degree of correlation between the change in elastic moduli and the fatigue characteristics of metastable austenitic steel is revealed: the hardening of the material and the energy density in the cycle. Correlations between the fatigue life of 12Kh18N10T steel and the change in elastic modulus – shear modulus and Young's modulus are obtained, which makes it possible to assess the state of the studied steel based on acoustic measurements.

A process-reliable tailoring of subsurface properties during cryogenic turning using dynamic process control

Considering the current demands for resource conservation and energy efficiency, innovative machining concepts and increased process reliability have a significant role to play. A combination of martensitic hardening of the subsurface and near-net-shape manufacturing represent a great potential to produce components with wear-resistant subsurfaces in an energy- and time-saving way. Within the scope of the present study, the influence of cryogenic machining of metastable austenitic steel on the martensitic transformation and surface quality was investigated. Different cooling strategies were used. A soft sensor based on eddy current in-process measurements was used to determine and subsequently affect the martensitic transformation of the subsurface. The feed rate and component temperature were identified as significant factors influencing the martensitic transformation. However, a high feed rate leads to an increase in surface roughness, and thus to a reduction in component quality. For this reason, a roughing process for achieving maximum martensitic transformation was carried out first in the present study and then a reduction in the surface roughness by maintaining the martensitic subsurface content was aimed for by a subsequent finishing process. With the knowledge generated, a dynamic process control was finally set up for designing the turning process of a required subsurface condition and surface quality.

An experimental and computational study of through-depth strain distribution during frictional treatment of a metastable austenitic steel

Frictional treatment, as a method of surface plastic deformation, forms a gradient hardened layer. In the case of metastable steels, this hardening is due, among other things, to the formation of strain-induced α'-martensite. The most reliable information about the thickness of this hardened layer can be obtained by measuring the hardness on transverse sections. This paper compares strain distribution through the depth of the hardened layer, obtained from layer-by-layer phase analysis and finite element modeling, with the data of durametric studies for the AISI 321 metastable steel subjected to frictional treatment under various loads on the indenter. A satisfactory coincidence of the distributions of the α'-phase concentration and hardness through the depth is observed only for the specimen subjected to frictional treatment at a maximum load of 400 N on the indenter. At the other loads on the indenter, the thickness of the layer containing α'-martensite is lower than the thickness of the hardened layer estimated from the durametric studies. In contrast, it is shown that, for all the loads applied to the indenter during frictional treatment, the through-depth distributions of the calculated values of equivalent plastic strain obtained from finite element modeling agree satisfactorily with the experimental hardness values.

IMPROVING THE WEAR RESISTANCE OF ECONOMICALLY ALLOYED STEELS

Problem statement. The influence of wear on the formation of a “white band” in metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr−Mn−Ti system, additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V, is studied. The influence of structure and phase composition on the wear resistance of economically alloyed metastable and secondary hardening steels is shown. Results. Surfacing of the studied materials was conducted in copper molds with different rates of forced cooling. Metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr−Mn−Ti system additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V are studied. Additional alloying of these steels with titanium in an amount of 2...5 % contributed to the prevention of spalling along the fusion zone. Near the fusion line there is a base metal zone with a width of 7...15 µm. After testing at the volume temperature of the working part of the specimen ТV = 553…573 K in the contact volumes for deposited metal of the 30Cr2W8V type, broadening of the grain boundaries, shear lines, finer grains compared to the underlying layers are revealed. Outside the zone of plastic deformation, the size of the grains corresponds to their sizes before the start of testing, the grain boundaries are relatively thin. The number and location of carbides observed at X430, X80O magnifications are also similar to the structural characteristics for deposited metal of the 30Cr2W8V. At close values of the contact pressure in the friction pair, the time of formation of a crack of critical length increases with an increase in the effective surface energy γе (including the energy of plastic deformation). Thus, the crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels are higher than those of metastable and tool steels. Conclusions. The conducted studies confirm the possibility of the formation of a "white band" both in alloys with a high concentration of elements − austenitizers (Mn, C, Ni), and when alloyed with carbide-forming elements with a relatively low affinity for carbon (V, Mo). The crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels is higher than those of metastable and tool steels.

In situ neutron diffraction revealing the achievement of excellent combination of strength and ductility in metastable austenitic steel by grain refinement

The yield stress of Fe-24Ni-0.3C (wt%) metastable austenitic steel increased 3.5 times (158 → 551 MPa) when the average grain size decreased from 35 μm (coarse-grained [CG]) to 0.5 μm (ultrafine-grained [UFG]), whereas the tensile elongation was kept large (0.87 → 0.82). In situ neutron diffraction measurements of the CG and UFG Fe-24Ni-0.3C steels were performed during tensile deformation at room temperature to quantitatively elucidate the influence of grain size on the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms. The initial stages of plastic deformation in the CG and UFG specimens were dominated by dislocation slip, with deformation-induced martensitic transformation (DIMT) also occurring in the later stage of deformation. Results show that grain refinement increases the initiation stress of DIMT largely and suppresses the rate of DIMT concerning the strain, which is attributed to the following effects. (i) Grain refinement increased the stabilization of austenite and considerably delayed the initiation of DIMT in the 〈111〉//LD (LD: loading direction) austenite grains, which were the most stable grains for DIMT. As a result, most of the 〈111〉//LD austenite grains in the UFG specimen failed to transform into martensite. (ii) Grain refinement also suppressed the autocatalytic effect of the martensitic transformation. Nevertheless, the DIMT with the low transformation rate in the UFG specimen was more efficient in increasing the flow stress and more appropriate to maintain uniform deformation than that in the CG specimen during deformation. The above phenomena mutually contributed to the excellent combination of strength and ductility of the UFG metastable austenitic steel.

Modeling of Mechanical Properties of Metastable Austenitic Cr–Mn–Ni Steels with TRIP Effect

The mechanical properties of two metastable austenitic cast steels are examined by performing tensile tests in a temperature range of −70 to 300 °C. The 16‐6‐6 steel has an Ms temperature of −30 °C and an Md temperature of 100 °C. Athermal martensite formation down to −196 °C can be excluded for X3CrNiCuN17‐6‐4 steel. The Md temperature of X3CrNiCuN17‐6‐4 steel is 130 °C. The results obtained by a semiempirical thermodynamic‐mechanical calculation model are linked to experimental results from the tensile tests. The presented model combines chemical energy amounts from thermodynamic databases with mechanical energy amounts obtained by tensile tests with the aid of the conversion rule proposed by Patel and Cohen. Thermodynamic calculations are performed using the Thermo‐Calc software with the database TCFE10. As a result, the stress–temperature–transformation diagram showing the temperature dependence of proof stress, tensile strength, triggering stress for martensite formation, and the associated critical transformation temperatures (Ms, Md) is obtained. With the aid of the semiempirical thermodynamic‐mechanical model, it can be shown that the mechanical properties and critical temperatures of a metastable austenitic steel can be determined at very low experimental effort.

Effect of frictional treatment and low temperature plasma carburizing on the microhardness and electromagnetic characteristics of metastable austenitic steel

Microhardness and electromagnetic characteristics of corrosion-resistant chromium-nickel (wt. %: 16.80 Cr; 8.44 Ni) austenitic steel subjected to electron beam plasma carburizing at temperatures of 350 and 500°C, frictional treatment with a sliding indenter and combined treatments, including frictional treatment and plasma carburizing have been investigated. It has been found that plasma carburizing increases the microhardness of the steel surface from 200 to 1100 HV0.025. The total hardening depth was 25 microns after carburizing at T = 350°C and 300 microns after carburizing at T = 500°C. Frictional treatment increases the microhardness of the steel to 600 HV0.025 with a total hardening depth of 500 microns. It has been shown that the diffusion-active layer with a dispersed structure formed during preliminary frictional treatment contributes to additional hardening of the steel (up to 1275 HV0.025) during subsequent low-temperature (350°C) carburizing. Combined treatment with carburizing at a temperature of 500 °C increases the microhardness of the steel to 820 HV0.025, and the total hardening depth is 500 microns for both combined treatments. It has also been found that plasma carburizing of the steel leads to a decrease in the eddy-current readings compared to the quenched steel and their growth compared to the steel subjected to frictional treatment, which can be used to develop quality control techniques for such treatments.

The Influence of Frictional Treatment and Low-Temperature Plasma Carburizing on the Microhardness and Electromagnetic Properties of Metastable Austenitic Steel

The Influence of Frictional Treatment and Low-Temperature Plasma Carburizing on the Microhardness and Electromagnetic Properties of Metastable Austenitic Steel

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of metastable austenitic medium Mn steel fabricated by warm caliber rolling

Warm caliber rolling at 550, 600, and 650 °C were carried out to refine the austenite grains of medium Mn steel by dynamic recrystallization (DRX). The effect of rolling temperature on the microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties of metastable austenitic steel was investigated in detail. The results show that the hierarchical structure of coarse fiber grains (CFGs) and ultrafine grains (UFGs) is obtained by warm caliber rolling method. With the increasing rolling temperature, more obvious DRX behavior occurs, resulting in a high percentage of UFGs. The preactive TRIP effect shortens the yield stress plateau in tensile stress-strain curves caused by CFGs with low stability. Furthermore, the unique hierarchical structure induces crack deflection and delamination, and significantly improves the impact toughness of medium Mn steel at room temperature. However, at the low temperature of −80 °C, CFGs are easy to induce martensite transformation, which seriously deteriorates the impact toughness.

Micro-Mechanical Characterisation of Hydrogen Embrittlement and Fatigue Crack Growth Behaviours in Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steels with Microstructure Refinement

This article reviews the microstructural evolution in ultrafine-grained and nanotwinned austenitic stainless steels that have been subjected to hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and fatigue cracking. It provides guidelines for the development of high-strength austenitic steels without sacrificing HE and fatigue performance. The author focuses on the hydrogen-induced ductility loss and short fatigue crack growth associated with deformation-induced martensitic transformation, using micro-tension and micro-fatigue testing technologies. In type 304 metastable austenitic stainless steel, the microstructure produced by high-pressure torsion depends strongly on the processing temperature. Nanocrystalline austenite with enhanced strength and moderate ductility can be obtained at a processing temperature of ~423–573 K, whereas dual-phase microstructures comprising austenite and martensite are formed by processing at room temperature. Introducing ultrafine grains and nanotwin bundles mitigates the hydrogen-induced ductility loss in metastable austenitic steel by controlling the dynamic martensitic transformation. The microstructure refinement also contributes to enhanced resistance to short fatigue crack growth by changing the route of the damage accumulation process via phase transformation and detwinning.

Influence of structure and phase composition of economically alloyed steels on wear resistance

Problem. The paper considers the influence of wear on the formation of a "white band" in metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr-Mn-Ti system additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V., the influence of the structure and phase composition on the wear resistance of sparing. Goal. Based on the above, the purpose of this work was to study the influence of structure and phase composition on the wear resistance of economically alloyed metastable and secondary hardening steels. Methodology. Surfacing of the studied materials was carried out in copper molds with different rates of forced cooling. Metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr-Mn-Ti system additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V were studied. Additional alloying of these steels with titanium in an amount of 2...5% contributed to the prevention of spalling along the fusion zone. Near the fusion line there is a base metal zone with a width of 7...15 µm. Results. After testing at the volume temperature of the working part of the specimen ТV=553…573 K in the contact volumes of the deposited metal of the 30Kh2V8F type, broadening of the grain boundaries, shear lines, finer grains compared to the underlying layers were revealed. Outside the zone of plastic deformation, the size of the grains corresponds to their sizes before the start of testing, the grain boundaries are relatively thin. The number and location of carbides observed at X430, X80O magnifications are also similar to the structural characteristics of the deposited metal of the 30Kh2V8F type. Originality. At close values of the contact pressure in the friction pair, the time of formation of a crack of critical length increases with an increase in the effective surface energy γе (including the energy of plastic deformation). Thus, the crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels are higher than those of metastable and tool steels. Practical value. The crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels are higher than those of metastable and tool steels. Conclusions. The conducted studies confirm the possibility of the formation of a "white band" both in alloys with a high concentration of elements - austenitizers (Mn, C, Ni), and when alloyed with carbide-forming elements with a relatively low affinity for carbon (V, Mo).

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF STRUCTURE AND PHASE COMPOSITION ON THE WEAR RESISTANCE OF SPARINGLY ALLOYED METASTABLE AND SECONDARY HARDENING STEELS

Introduction. The paper considers the influence of wear on the formation of a “white band” in metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr−Mn−Ti system additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V. The influence of the structure and phase composition on the wear resistance of sparing. Results. Surfacing of the studied materials was carried out in copper molds with different rates of forced cooling. Metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr−Mn−Ti system additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V were studied. Additional alloying of these steels with titanium in an amount of 2...5 % contributed to the prevention of spalling along the fusion zone. Near the fusion line there is a base metal zone with a width of 7...15 µm. After testing at the volume temperature of the working part of the specimen ТV = 553…573 K in the contact volumes of the deposited metal of the 30Kh2V8F type, broadening of the grain boundaries, shear lines, finer grains compared to the underlying layers were revealed. Outside the zone of plastic deformation, the size of the grains corresponds to their sizes before the start of testing, the grain boundaries are relatively thin. The number and location of carbides observed at X430, X80O magnifications are also similar to the structural characteristics of the deposited metal of the 30Kh2V8F type. At close values of the contact pressure in the friction pair, the time of formation of a crack of critical length increases with an increase in the effective surface energy γе (including the energy of plastic deformation). Thus, the crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels are higher than those of metastable and tool steels. Conclusions. The conducted studies confirm the possibility of the formation of a “white band” both in alloys with a high concentration of elements − austenitizers (Mn, C, Ni), and when alloyed with carbide-forming elements with a relatively low affinity for carbon (V, Mo). The crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels is higher than those of metastable and tool steels.