The strain variation during the isothermal B2→B19’ martensitic transformation in the quenched or annealed Ni51Ti49 alloy

The strain variation during the isothermal holding under constant stress was studied in the quenched or annealed Ni51Ti49 alloy samples. The isothermal strain variation was found in both samples and this strain was completely recovered on subsequent unloading and heating. This allowed to conclude that the strain variation on holding was caused by the isothermal martensitic transformation. It was found that the maximum value of isothermal strain depended on the alloy heat treatment. This value was equal to 0.5 % in annealed sample and it was equal to 6 % in quenched sample. It was assumed that the formation of the Ni4Ti3 phase during annealing led to a decrease in concentration of substitutional Ni atoms in NiTi phase that were responsible for the isothermal transformation. As a result, the less volume fraction of the martensite formed during holding that supresses the strain variation in annealed samples.

Strain variation in the Ti40,7Hf9,5Ni41,8Cu8 alloy during isothermal martensitic transformation under a constant stress

Strain variation on holding under a constant stress was studied in the Ti40,7Hf9,5Ni41,8Cu8 alloy. It was found, that on holding under stress, the isothermal strain rose up to saturation, which value depended on holding temperature and stress. It was found that the dependencies of the isothermal strain on the holding temperature and stress were non-monotonic. This allowed to find the optimal value of stress and time at which the isothermal strain attained the maximum value of 3.2 %. It was found that the maximum isothermal strain in the Ti40,7Hf9,5Ni41,8Cu8 alloy was less than in the Ti40,7Hf9,5Ni44,8Cu5 alloy.

Metallurgical principles of microstructure formation in sub-zero treated cold-work tool steels – a review

The beneficial influence of a sub-zero treatment on wear resistant tools and components has been known for over 100 years. On the other hand, the basic metallurgical principles being responsible for enhanced hardness and wear performance, changes in the tempering response and toughness and improved dimensional stability have become known only over the past decade. The sub-zero treatment has, thus, been changed from an art to accepted science. The topic of the current conference paper is the latest theory explaining the metallurgical background for this kind of treatment. This theory states that it is the low-temperature isothermal martensitic transformation that induces secondary microstructural effects, such as an accelerated precipitation rate for transient carbides, formation of very small globular carbides and overall refinement of the microstructure. Consequently, secondary microstructural effects have a clear impact on the most relevant properties. The extent of the improvement or deterioration of these properties may be a result of competitive microstructural effects.