Effect of X46Cr13 Microstructure on the Ultrasound Rate Propagation under Plastic Deformation

The change in ultrasound rate in the plastic deformation of high-chromium X39Cr13 stainless steel with ferrite–carbide structure (initially), martensite structure (after quenching), and sorbite structure (after high tempering) is investigated. The loading curve is different for each state. In the initial state, the loading curve is practically parabolic. In the martensitic state, linear strain hardening is the only stage. In the sorbitic state, a three-stage curve is observed. The structure of the steel after different types of heat treatment is studied by optical and scanning probe microscopy. In parallel with the recording of the loading curve, the change in properties of the ultrasound surface waves (the Rayleigh waves) in the steel under tension is measured. The structure of the steel determines not only the type of deformation curve in uniaxial extension but also the dependence of the ultrasound rate on the strain.

Influence of tempering temperature on the fretting wear of low alloyed martensitic construction steel

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the fretting wear behavior of low alloyed construction steel in the tempered fully martensitic state. The resulting damage mechanism and the resistance to fretting wear of martensitic steels subjected to different tempering temperature was evaluated and compared with the virgin (un-tempered) martensitic steel under the different loading conditions. The results show that the friction coefficient increases with the increase of the tempering temperature for all the applied loads. The fretting wear resistance mainly depends on the tempering temperature. Compared to the virgin (un-tempered) full martensite, most of the tempered martensites have better fretting wear resistance, in which the tempered martensitic (TM) steel of [Formula: see text] due to a good balance of strength and ductility has a super fretting wear resistance for all loading conditions. In addition, the correlation of fretting wear resistance with the initial hardness was discussed.

Numerical Simulation of the Phase Transition Control in a Cylindrical Sample Made of Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloy

The paper considers ferromagnetic alloys, which exhibit the shape memory effect during phase transition from the high-temperature cubic phase (austenite) to the low-temperature tetragonal phase (martensite) in the ferromagnetic state. In these alloys, significant macroscopic strains are generated during the direct temperature phase transition from the austenitic to the martensitic state, provided that the process proceeds under the action of the applied mechanical stresses. The critical phase transition temperatures in such alloys depend not only on the stress fields, but also on the magnetic field. By changing the magnetic field, it is possible to control the process of phase transition. In this work, within the framework of the finite deformation theory, we develop a model that allows us to describe the process of the control of the direct (austenite-martensite) and reverse (martensite-austenite) phase transitions in ferromagnetic shape memory polycrystalline materials under the action of external force, thermal, and magnetic fields with the aid of the magnetic field. In view of the fact that the magnetic field affects the material deformation, which, in turn, changes the magnetic field, we formulated and solved a coupled boundary value problem. As an example, we considered the problem of a shift of the outer surface of a long hollow cylinder made of ferromagnetic alloy. The numerical implementation of the problem was based on the finite element method using the step-by-step loading procedure. Complete recovery of the strains accumulated during the direct phase transition and reverting of the axially-displaced outer surface of the cylinder to its original position occurred both on heating of the sample to the temperatures of the reverse phase transition and at a constant temperature, when the magnetic field previously applied in the martensitic state was removed.

Acoustic Emissions during Structural Changes in Shape Memory Alloys

Structural changes (martensitic transformation, rearrangements of martensitic variants) in shape memory alloys have an intermittent character that is accompanied by the emission of different (thermal, acoustic, and magnetic) noises, which are fingerprints of the driven criticality, resulting in a damped power-law behaviour. We will illustrate what kinds of important information can be obtained on the structural changes in shape memory alloys. It was established that the power exponents of distributions of acoustic emission (AE) parameters (energy, amplitude, etc.), belonging to martensitic transformations, show quite a universal character and depend only on the symmetry of the martensite. However, we have shown that the asymmetry of the transformation (the exponents are different for the forward and reverse transformations) results in as large differences as those due to the martensite symmetry. We will also demonstrate how the recently introduced AE clustering method can help to identify the different contributions responsible for the asymmetry. The usefulness of the investigations of time correlations between the subsequent events and correlations between acoustic and magnetic noise events in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys will be demonstrated too. Finally, examples of acoustic and magnetic emissions during variant rearrangements (superplastic or superelastic behaviour) in the martensitic state will be described.

Determining Material Data for Welding Simulation of Presshardened Steel

In automotive body-in-white production, presshardened 22MnB5 steel is the most widely used ultra-high-strength steel grade. Welding is the most important faying technique for this steel type, as other faying technologies often cannot deliver the same strength-to-cost ratio. In order to conduct precise numerical simulations of the welding process, flow stress curves and thermophysical properties from room temperature up to the melting point are required. Sheet metal parts made out of 22MnB5 are welded in a presshardened, that is, martensitic state. On the contrary, only flow stress curves for soft annealed or austenitized 22MnB5 are available in the literature. Available physical material data does not cover the required temperature range or is not available at all. This work provides experimentally determined hot-flow stress curves for rapid heating of 22MnB5 from the martensitic state. The data is complemented by a comprehensive set of thermophysical data of 22MnB5 between room temperature and melting. Materials simulation methods as well as a critical literature review were employed to obtain sound thermophysical data. A comparison of the numerically computed nugget growth curve in spot welding with experimental welding results ensures the validity of the hot-flow stress curves and thermophysical data presented.

Mechanics of nickel–titanium shape memory alloys undergoing partially constrained recovery for self-healing materials

Engineered self-healing materials seek to create an innate ability for materials to restore mechanical strength after incurring damage, much like biological organisms. This technology will enable the design of structures that can withstand their everyday use without damage but also recover from damage due to an overload incident. One of the primary mechanisms for self-healing is the incorporation of shape memory fibers in a composite type structure. Upon activation, these shape memory fibers can restore geometric changes caused by damage and close fractures. To date, shape memory–based self-healing, without bonding agents, has been limited to geometric restoration without creating a capability to withstand externally applied tensile loads due to the way the shape memory material has been integrated into the composite. Some form of bonding has been necessary for self-healing materials to resist an externally applied load after healing. This article presents results of new study into using a form of constrained recovery of nickel–titanium shape memory alloys in self-healing materials to create residual compressive loads across fractures in the low temperature martensitic state. Analysis is presented relating internal loads in self-healing materials, potentially generated by shape memory alloys, to the capability to resist externally applied loads. Supporting properties were experimentally characterized in nickel–titanium shape memory alloy wires. Finally, self-healing samples were synthesized and tested demonstrating the ability to resist externally applies loads without bonding. This study provides a new useful characterization of nickel–titanium applicable to self-healing structures and opens the door to new forms of healing like incorporation of pressure-based bonding.