scholarly journals Carbon Redistribution and Microstructural Evolution Study during Two-Stage Quenching and Partitioning Process of High-Strength Steels by Modeling

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilin Wang ◽  
Huicheng Geng ◽  
Bin Zhu ◽  
Zijian Wang ◽  
Yisheng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Carbon Redistribution ◽  
Carbon Martensite

The application of the quenching and partitioning (Q-P) process on advanced high-strength steels improves part ductility significantly with little decrease in strength. Moreover, the mechanical properties of high-strength steels can be further enhanced by the stepping-quenching-partitioning (S-Q-P) process. In this study, a two-stage quenching and partitioning (two-stage Q-P) process originating from the S-Q-P process of an advanced high-strength steel 30CrMnSi2Nb was analyzed by the simulation method, which consisted of two quenching processes and two partitioning processes. The carbon redistribution, interface migration, and phase transition during the two-stage Q-P process were investigated with different temperatures and partitioning times. The final microstructure of the material formed after the two-stage Q-P process was studied, as well as the volume fraction of the retained austenite. The simulation results indicate that a special microstructure can be obtained by appropriate parameters of the two-stage Q-P process. A mixed microstructure, characterized by alternating distribution of low carbon martensite laths, small-sized low-carbon martensite plates, retained austenite and high-carbon martensite plates, can be obtained. In addition, a peak value of the volume fraction of the stable retained austenite after the final quenching is obtained with proper partitioning time.

scholarly journals The Effect of Mn and Si on the Properties of Advanced High Strength Steels Processed by Quenching and Partitioning

2010 ◽  
Vol 654-656 ◽  
pp. 94-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohuslav Mašek ◽  
Hana Jirková ◽  
Daniela Hauserova ◽  
Ludmila Kučerová ◽  
Danuše Klauberová
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Microstructural Development ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels ◽  
High Ultimate Strength

The concepts new types of materials are, for economic reasons, focused mainly on low alloyed steels with a good combination of strength and ductility. Suitable heat and thermo-mechanical treatments play an important role for the utilization of these materials. Different alloying strategies are used to influence phase transformations. The quenching and partitioning process (Q-P Process) is one of the heat treatment methods which can result in a high ultimate strength as well as a good ductility. However, these good properties can be obtained only if a sufficient amount of retained austenite is stabilized. The influence of different contents of manganese, silicon and chromium on microstructural development and mechanical properties were experimentally tested. Alloying elements were used to stabilize the retained austenite in the final microstructure and also to strengthen the solid solution. Ultimate strengths of over 2000MPa with ductility over 10% were reached after the optimization of the Q-P Process. The microstructures were analyzed using several microscopic methods; mechanical properties were determined by a tensile test and the volume fraction of the retained austenite was established by X-ray diffraction phase analysis.

scholarly journals Effect of Quenching and Partitioning Temperatures in the Q-P Process on the Properties of AHSS with Various Amounts of Manganese and Silicon

2012 ◽  
Vol 706-709 ◽  
pp. 2734-2739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Jirková ◽  
Ludmila Kučerová ◽  
Bohuslav Mašek
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Isothermal Holding ◽  
Bainitic Ferrite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Quenching Temperature ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels

The use of the combined influence of retained austenite and bainitic ferrite to improve strength and ductility has been known for many years from the treatment of multiphase steels. Recently, the very fine films of retained austenite along the martensitic laths have also become the centre of attention. This treatment is called the Q-P process (quenching and partitioning). In this experimental program the quenching temperature and the isothermal holding temperature for diffusion carbon distribution for three advanced high strength steels with carbon content of 0.43 % was examined. The alloying strategies have a different content of manganese and silicon, which leads to various martensite start and finish temperatures. The model treatment was carried out using a thermomechanical simulator. Tested regimes resulted in a tensile strength of over 2000MPa with a ductility of above 14 %. The increase of the partitioning temperature influenced the intensity of martensite tempering and caused the decrease of tensile strength by 400MPa down to 1600MPa and at the same time more than 10 % growth of ductility occurred, increasing it to more than 20%.

Application of Quenching-Partitioning-Tempering Process in Hot Rolled Plate Fabrication

2010 ◽  
Vol 654-656 ◽  
pp. 82-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Zhou ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Nai Lu Chen ◽  
Yong Hua Rong ◽  
Jian Feng Gu
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Significant Fraction ◽  
Rolled Plate ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Good Ductility ◽  
Hot Rolled ◽  
Rolled Plates

The quenching-partitioning-tempering (Q-P-T) process, based on the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) treatment, has been proposed for producing high strength steels containing significant fraction of film-like retained austenite and controlled amount of fine martensite laths. In this study, a set of Q-P-T processes for C-Mn-Si-Ni-Nb hot rolled plates are designed and realized. The steels with Q-P-T processes present a combination of high strength and relatively good ductility. The origin of such mechanical properties is revealed by microstructure characterization.

Effects of Heat Treatment on Microstructure of High-Strength Manganese-Silicon Steels

2017 ◽  
Vol 270 ◽  
pp. 239-245
Author(s):  
Dagmar Bublíková ◽  
Štěpán Jeníček ◽  
Kateřina Opatová ◽  
Bohuslav Mašek
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Cooling Rate ◽  
Microstructure Evolution ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Alloying Additions ◽  
New Procedures ◽  
Strength And Ductility

Today’s advanced steels are required to possess high strength and ductility. This can be accomplished by producing appropriate microstructures with a certain volume fraction of retained austenite. The resulting microstructure depends on material’s heat treatment and alloying. High ultimate strengths and sufficient elongation levels can be obtained by various methods, including quenching and partitioning (Q&P process). The present paper introduces new procedures aimed at simplifying this process with the use of material-technological modelling. Three experimental steels have been made and cast for this investigation, whose main alloying additions were manganese, silicon, chromium, molybdenum and nickel. The purpose of manganese addition was to depress the Ms and Mf temperatures. The Q&P process was carried out in a thermomechanical simulator for better and easier control. The heat treatment parameters were varied between the sequences and their effect on microstructure evolution was evaluated. They included the cooling rate, partitioning temperature and time at partitioning temperature. Microstructures including martensite with strength levels of more than 2000 MPa and elongation of 10–15 % were obtained.

Quenching and Partitioning of Ni-Added High Strength Steels

2007 ◽  
Vol 539-543 ◽  
pp. 4476-4481 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.C. Rizzo ◽  
A.R. Martins ◽  
John G. Speer ◽  
David K. Matlock ◽  
A. Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retained Austenite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Carbide Formation ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Steel Microstructure ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels ◽  
Treatment Procedures

High strength steels containing significant fractions of retained austenite have been developed in recent years, and are the subject of growing commercial interest when associated with the TRIP phenomenon during deformation. A new process concept “quenching and partitioning” (Q&P) has been proposed by CSM/USA, and the results show the potential to create a new kind of steel microstructure with controlled amounts of retained austenite, enriched by carbon partitioning. Four steels containing C, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr and Mo, were designed with variation in the Ni and C content, aiming to decrease Bs temperature and to suppress carbide formation during the partitioning treatment. Several heat-treatment procedures were performed in specimens previously machined for tensile testing, while x-ray diffraction was used to determine the fraction of retained austenite. The tensile test results showed that except for the high C high Ni alloy, most of the processing conditions resulted in strengths superior to those of advanced high strength steels (AHSS), although it is importantly recognized that higher alloy additions were used in this study, in comparison with conventional AHSS grades.. A variety of strength and ductility combinations were observed, confirming the potential of the Q&P process and illustrating the strong influence of the final microstructure on the mechanical properties. Experimental results for samples partitioned at 400 °C indicate that higher ultimate tensile strength is associated with higher fraction of retained austenite for multiple heat treatments of each alloy investigated. The amount of retained austenite obtained was generally lower than that predicted by the model. Further studies are in progress to understand the influence of alloying and processing parameters (time/temperature) on the partitioning of carbon and precipitation of transition carbides.

scholarly journals Addressing Retained Austenite Stability in Advanced High Strength Steels

2013 ◽  
Vol 738-739 ◽  
pp. 212-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena V. Pereloma ◽  
Azdiar A. Gazder ◽  
Ilana B. Timokhina
Keyword(s):  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels ◽  
Austenite Stability ◽  
Retained Austenite Stability ◽  
Size And Morphology

Advances in the development of new high strength steels have resulted in microstructures containing significant volume fractions of retained austenite. The transformation of retained austenite to martensite upon straining contributes towards improving the ductility. However, in order to gain from the above beneficial effect, the volume fraction, size, morphology and distribution of the retained austenite need to be controlled. In this regard, it is well known that carbon concentration in the retained austenite is responsible for its chemical stability, whereas its size and morphology determines its mechanical stability. Thus, to achieve the required mechanical properties, control of the processing parameters affecting the microstructure development is essential.

Enhanced Mechanical Properties of a 0.22C-Mn-Si-Cr Low Alloyed Steel Treated by ART and Q&P Processes

2014 ◽  
Vol 1004-1005 ◽  
pp. 203-208
Author(s):  
Bai Feng An ◽  
Gu Hui Gao ◽  
Xiao Lu Gui ◽  
Zhun Li Tan ◽  
Bing Zhe Bai
Keyword(s):  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Low Carbon Steel ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Total Elongation ◽  
Alloyed Steel ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Multiphase Microstructure ◽  
Element Enrichment ◽  
Low Alloyed Steel

There is a currently desirable demand for high strength steels with good ductility reduce the weight of steel parts for automobile and train applications. Retained austenite in steels can improve the toughness and plasticity. The austenite reverse transformation + quenching and partitioning (ART + Q&P) process was treated on a 0.2C-Mn-Si-Cr low alloyed steel, a multiphase microstructure composed of intercritical ferrite (IF), martensite, bainite and retained austenite (RA) can be obtained in the low carbon steel. Microstructures of the steel treated by different heat treatments were characterized by SEM and XRD. Results show that the formation of RA in low alloy steel depends on the following: (1) the enrichment of the carbon and manganese in the reversed austenite during the ART step; (2) the secondary enrichment of carbon in retained austenite during the following Q&P step. High fraction of RA (14vol.%) was obtained through the two-step element enrichment treatment (ART + Q&P). Due to continuous TRIP effect of RA during the deformation, a good combination of strength and plasticity was achieved in our works: the product of strength and elongation is greater than 35 GPa•%, the tensile strength is more than 1230 MPa, the yield strength greater than 890 MPa, the total elongation is about 28.6%.

Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance of High Strength 9260 Bar Steel Heat Treated by Quenching and Partitioning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Hoyt ◽  
E. De Moor ◽  
K.O. Findley
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Embrittlement ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Hydrogen Concentration ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Quench Temperature ◽  
Embrittlement Resistance ◽  
Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance

Abstract The influence of microstructure on hydrogen embrittlement of high strength steels for fastener applications is explored in this study. Space limiting applications in areas such as the automotive or agricultural industries provide a need for higher strength fasteners. Albeit, hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility typically increases with strength. Using a 9260 steel alloy, the influence of retained austenite volume fraction in a martensitic matrix was evaluated with microstructures generated via quenching and partitioning. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the influence of retained austenite in the matrix with different quenching parameters. The quench temperatures varied from 160 °C up to 220 °C, and a constant partitioning temperature of 290 °C was employed for all quench and partitioned conditions. The target hardness for all testing conditions was 52-54 HRC. Slow strain rate tensile testing was conducted with cathodic hydrogen pre-charging that introduced a hydrogen concentration of 1.0-1.5 ppm to evaluate hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of these various microstructures. The retained austenite volume fraction and carbon content varied with the initial quench temperature. Additionally, the lowest initial quench temperature employed, which had the highest austenite carbon content, had the greatest hydrogen embrittlement resistance for a hydrogen concentration level of 1.0-1.5 ppm.

Influence of Starting Microstructure on Dilatation Behavior during Tempering of a High Strength Steel

2018 ◽  
Vol 941 ◽  
pp. 305-310
Author(s):  
Seyyed Hesamodin Talebi ◽  
Hadi Ghasemi-Nanesa ◽  
Mohammad Jahazi ◽  
Haikouhi Melkonyan
Keyword(s):  
Cooling Rate ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Martensitic Microstructure ◽  
Length Increase ◽  
Isothermal Tempering ◽  
Carbon Martensite

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of non-isothermal tempering on microstructure evolution in large-size slabs. Using high-resolution dilatometry, three different cooling rates (from 0.08 to 3°C/s) representative of different regions from the surface to the core of the slab were experimentally simulated, and then tempering was carried out for each starting microstructure. A combination of light and electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were employed to accurately analyze different phenomena occurring during the tempering process, specially, the identification of different microstructures (bainite, martensite and retained austenite), and the determination of the percentage of retained austenite for each experimental condition were considered. Experimental results revealed that the microstructure after the cooling rate of 0.08°C/s consisted of bainite and some retained austenite. For the cooling rate of 0.3°C/s, martensite plus bainite was detected, and when the cooling rate was increased to 3°C/s, a martensitic microstructure was obtained. Analysis of dilatometry curves indicated that tempering behavior varied significantly with the starting microstructure. Martensite tempering was accompanied with a length decrease due to the decomposition of medium-carbon martensite to low-carbon martensite plus carbides. Tempering of bainite and retained austenite resulted in a remarkable length increase.

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