INFLUENCE OF TIME-TEMPERATURE PARAMETERS OF LONG-DURATION EXPOSURE ON TRANSFORMATIONS IN STRUCTURAL STEELS (review)

Low-temperature nitriding of steels is usually carried out in the temperature range of development of reversible temper brittleness. The holding time at these temperatures significantly exceeds the holding time during normal tempering, which can negatively affect the properties of steel. The article considers theories that explain the processes occurring in steels in the temper brittleness temperature range. It may be concluded that views linking the embrittlement of steel with alloying elements such as nickel in its content are not confirmed by the experiments; at the same time ideas based on classical views about the diffusion of chemical elements explain the processes in steel better.

Modelling of grain boundary segregation kinetics that are responsible on irreversible and reversible temper embrittlement of engineering steels

There are presented the computer models of multicomponent grain boundary segregation (GBS) that are formed at quenching or tempering of engineering steels. The modelling of these processes requires different algorithms. The dynamic model of segregation at quenching is based on solution of independent diffusion and adsorption-desorption equations for various impurities in steel tied by feedback. The model of segregation under tempering considers the influence of alloying and tempering parameters on concentration and thermodynamic activity of carbon in the α-solid solution. It is based on regression analysis of experimental data on grain boundaries chemical composition obtained by Auger spectroscopy. There is established that grain boundary enrichment by harmful impurities (S and P) is possible after carbon and nitrogen segregation dissolution. The models allow to analyze the competition of elements during formation of GBS and to establish main factors responsible on development of different kinds of embrittlement in engineering steels with various alloying and content of harmful impurities.