Multiobjective Optimization for Forming Process Parameters of Ultrahigh Strength Steel BR1500HS

This paper focuses on obtaining the optimum process parameters and improving the mechanical properties of ultrahigh strength steel BR1500S. Many experimental data are obtained, and then response surface methodology (RSM) is used to obtain the optimum parameters. Combining the experimental data with RSM, some conclusions are summarized. When the cooling rate reaches 30°C/s, martensite content in microstructure reaches up to 95%. The optimum regions of quenching hardness, tensile strength, and elongation are obtained when the temperature is about 900°C, and the holding time is about 0∼4 min. Results of multiobjective optimizations show that global optimal value is gained at 906.5°C, and the holding time is 0 min. Predicted optimum values of quenching hardness, tensile strength, and elongation are not less than 51.03 HRC, 1,671 MPa, and 8.75%, respectively. The application of RSM is notably successful in predicting the process parameters of hot forming.

Forming of metastable austenitic stainless steel tubes with axially graded martensite content by flow-forming

One of the main objectives of production engineering is to reproducibly manufacture (complex) defect-free parts. To achieve this, it is necessary to employ an appropriate process or tool design. While this will generally prove successful, it cannot, however, offset stochastic defects with local variations in material properties. Closed-loop process control represents a promising approach for a solution in this context. The state of the art involves using this approach to control geometric parameters such as a length. So far, no research or applications have been conducted with closed-loop control for microstructure and product properties. In the project on which this paper is based, the local martensite content of parts is to be adjusted in a highly precise and reproducible manner. The forming process employed is a special, property-controlled flow-forming process. A model-based controller is thus to generate corresponding correction values for the tool-path geometry and tool-path velocity on the basis of online martensite content measurements. For the controller model, it is planned to use a special process or microstructure (correlation) model. The planned paper not only describes the experimental setup but also presents results of initial experimental investigations for subsequent use in the closed-loop control of α’-martensite content during flow-forming.

Effects of High Carbon Ferrochrome Additions on the Microstructure and Properties of Fe-C-Cr-Nb Hardfacing Alloys

Fe-Cr-C-Nb hardfacing alloys composed of 1.07-1.33 wt% C, 0.08-2.61 wt% Cr, and 4.55-4.98 wt% Nb were prepared on C45E4 steel surfaces using alloy steel flux-cored wires. The alloy microstructures were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the effects of the alloying elements on the hardfacing properties were determined. The results indicate that these alloys contain martensite, austenite and NbC phases. As the C，Cr and Nb mass fraction in the surfacing material increases, the austenite and NbC contents increase, and the martensite content decreases. The NbC crystallite size in the surface layer affects its hardness and thus its wear resistance. The wear resistance first increases and reaches to its maximum value which is 5.7 times higher than that of the C45E4 steel substrate, while by higher increasing of the mentioned elements, it decreases.

Superficial Effects of Ball Burnishing on TRIP Steel AISI 301LN Sheets

This paper explores the consequences of applying an ultrasonic vibration-assisted ball burnishing process and its non-vibration assisted version on the topology and subsurface microstructure of a transformation-induced plasticity AISI 301LN alloy. More specifically, four different metallographic conditions provided as 1.5-mm thickness sheets and characterized by different starting martensite content (3, 10, 20 and 40 wt.%) are included in the study. Ball burnishing was performed along the lamination direction and perpendicular to it. Results show that the effect of ball burnishing is strongly correlated with the pre-existing microstructure. The steel containing the lowest quantity of initial martensite is the most affected by the process, achieving a higher residual hardening effect, similar to the untreated steel with an original martensitic content of around 40 wt.%. Moreover, the process succeeds in generating a 100-nm thick nanograin layer under the plate subsurface. Finally, no conspicuous effect of the application of vibration assistance was observed, which encourages the application of alternative measurement techniques in future works to define its effect on the properties after being ball burnished.

STUDY OF THE TRIBOTECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CORROSION-RESISTANT STEELS WITH DIFFERENT MECHANISMS OF VOLUMETRIC HARDENING

The structure, phase composition and hardness of corrosion-resistant steels with different mechanisms of volumetric hardening was studied. It was found that after hardening treatment of steel VNS9-Sh, VNS30-Sh, VNS72-Sh have approximately the same hardness with a volumetric martensite content of 50, 90 and 75 %, respectively. According to the results of tribological tests for wear under dry friction conditions, it was found that VNS9-Sh steel with the TRIP effect has the best wear resistance. VNS30-Sh steel with precipitation hardening and VNS72-Sh steel with martensite hardening have approximately the same wear resistance.

Hydrogen Diffusion and Its Effect on Hydrogen Embrittlement in DP Steels With Different Martensite Content

The hydrogen diffusion behavior and hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of dual phase (DP) steels with different martensite content were investigated using the slow strain-rate tensile test and hydrogen permeation measurement. Results showed that a logarithmic relationship was established between the hydrogen embrittlement index (IHE) and the effective hydrogen diffusion coefficient (Deff). When the martensite content is low, ferrite/martensite interface behaves as the main trap that captures the hydrogen atoms. Also, when the Deff decreases, IHE increases with increasing martensite content. However, when the martensite content reaches approximately 68.3%, the martensite grains start to form a continuous network, Deff reaches a plateau and IHE continues to increase. This is mainly related to the reduction of carbon content in martensite and the length of ferrite/martensite interface, which promotes the diffusion of hydrogen atoms in martensite and the aggregation of hydrogen atoms at the ferrite/martensite interface. Finally, a model describing the mechanism of microstructure-driven hydrogen diffusion with different martensite distribution was established.

Generation of tailored subsurface zones in steels containing metastable austenite by adaptive machining and validation by eddy current testing

In order to withstand high mechanical and tribological loads, it is important that the components not only have a high core ductility but also a hard surface. Typically, a suitable microstructure is created by heat treatment processes before the workpiece is machined. However, these processes are time and energy consuming and can lead to component distortion. It would therefore be of great advantage if no additional heat treatment process would be required to produce a hardened subsurface zone. Since turning is often already integrated as a machining process in production lines, it would be advantageous to create a hardened subsurface within this process. As there is no possibility to measure the hardness directly during the turning process, a soft sensor was developed to determine the properties of the subsurface directly during the machining process. Steels with metastable austenite are of particular interest in this context, as metastable austenite can be converted into martensite by deformation. The amount of martensite produced in the subsurface can be adjusted provided that suitable turning parameters can be found. For this purpose, a process parallel material removal simulation was used to determine the actual conditions governing the process. It was found that there is a correlation between the martensite content and the amplitude of the 3rd harmonic of eddy current testing. Therefore, an eddy current sensor accompanying the process can be used as a basis for controlling the turning process for tailored martensite volume content adjustment.