The phase transformation kinetics under continuous cooling conditions for intercritical austenite in a cold rolled low carbon steel were investigated over a wide range of cooling rates (0.1–200 ∘ C/s). The start and finish temperatures of the intercritical austenite transformation were determined by quenching dilatometry and a continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram was constructed. The resulting experimental CCT diagram was compared with that calculated via JMatPro software, and verified using electron microscopy and hardness tests. In general, the results reveal that the experimental CCT diagram can be helpful in the design of thermal cycles for the production of different grades of dual-phase–advanced high-strengh steels (DP-AHSS) in continuous processing lines. The results suggest that C enrichment of intercritical austenite as a result of heating in the two phases (ferrite–austenite) region and C partitioning during the formation of pro-eutectoid ferrite on cooling significantly alters the character of subsequent austenite phase transformations.

The main process variables to produce galvanized dual phase (DP) steel sheets in continuous galvanizing lines are time and temperature of intercritical austenitizing (tIA and TIA), cooling rate (CR1) after intercritical austenitizing, holding time at the galvanizing temperature (tG) and finally the cooling rate (CR2) to room temperature. In this research work, the effects of CR1, tG and CR2 on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation (EL) of cold rolled low carbon steel were investigated by applying an experimental central composite design and a multivariate regression model. A multi-objective optimization and the Pareto Front were used for the optimization of the continuous galvanizing heat treatments. Typical thermal cycles applied for the production of continuous galvanized AHSS-DP strips were simulated in a quenching dilatometer using miniature tensile specimens. The experimental results of UTS, YS and EL were used to fit the multivariate regression model for the prediction of these mechanical properties from the processing parameters (CR1, tG and CR2). In general, the results show that the proposed multivariate model correctly predicts the mechanical properties of UTS, YS and %EL for DP steels processed under continuous galvanizing conditions. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the phase transformations that take place during the optimized tG (galvanizing time) play a dominant role in determining the values of the mechanical properties of the DP steel. The production of hot-dip galvanized DP steels with a minimum tensile strength of 1100 MPa is possible by applying the proposed methodology. The results provide important scientific and technological knowledge about the annealing/galvanizing thermal cycle effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of DP steels.

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Interrupted and continuous hot compression tests were performed for eutectoid steel over the temperature range of 850 to 1050 °C and while using strain rates of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 s−1. The interrupted tests were carried out to characterize the kinetics of static recrystallization(SRX) and determinate the interpass time conditions that are required for initiation and propagation of dynamic recrystallization (DRX), while considering that the material does not contain microalloying elements additions for the recrystallization delay. Continuous testing was used to investigate the evolution of the austenite grain size that results from DRX. The results indicate that carbon content accelerates the SRX rate. This effect was observed when the retardation of recrystallization due to a decrease in deformation temperature from 1050 to 850 °C was only about one order of magnitude. The expected decelerate effect on the SRX rate when the initial grain size increases from 86 to 387 µm was not significant for this material. Although the strain parameter has a strong influence on SRX rate, in contrast to a lesser degree of strain rate, both of the effects are nearly independent of the chemical composition. The calculated maximum interpass times that are compatible with DRCR (Dynamic Recrystallization Controlled Rolling), for relatively low strain rates, suggest that the onset and maintaining of the DRX is possible. However, while using the empirical equations that were developed in the present work to estimate the maximum times for high strain rates, such as those observed in the wire and rod mills, indicate that the DRX start is feasible, but maintaining this mechanism for 5% softening in each pass after peak strain is not possible.

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The aim of the present research work is to investigate the influence of B addition on the phase transformation kinetics under continuous cooling conditions. In order to perform this study, the behavior of two low carbon advanced ultra-high strength steels (A-UHSS) is analyzed during dilatometry tests over the cooling rate range of 0.1-200°C/s. The start and finish points of the austenite transformation are identified from the dilatation curves and then the continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams are constructed. These diagrams are verified by microstructural characterization and Vickers micro-hardness. In general, results revealed that for slower cooling rates (0.1-0.5 °C/s) the present phases are mainly ferritic-pearlitic (F+P) structures. By contrast, a mixture of bainitic-martensitic structures predominates at higher cooling rates (50-200°C/s). On the other hand, CCT diagrams show that B addition delays the decomposition kinetics of austenite to ferrite, thereby promoting the formation of bainiticmartensitic structures. In the case of B microalloyed steel, the CCT curve is displaced to the right, increasing the hardenability. These results are associated with the ability of B atoms to segregate towards austenitic grain boundaries, which reduce the preferential sites for nucleation and development of F+P structures.

In this research it was experimentally analyzed the effect of the parameters of the Pulsed Micro Laser Welding Process Nd:YAG on the microstructural behavior of a nickel base superalloy (IN-738). For this purpose, different laser welding tests were performed on samples subjected to different heat treatment conditions obtained from the gas turbine blades. The influence of the power and the speed welding of the applied process and heat treatment condition on the weld geometry, microstructure and mechanical properties was determined. The microstructures of the obtained welds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Vickers hardness tests. In general, alternatives to homogenize and rejuvenate the microstructure of the base material are proposed in order to avoid the formation and propagation of cracks. The results are discussed mainly in terms of the present phases and decomposition of carbides, which considerably affect the weldability of the IN-738 superalloy. This study provides useful information for the subsequent restoration of the 2nd step turbine blades by using of the Laser Welding Process Nd:YAG.

This research work studies the dynamically recrystallized austenitic grain size (D rec ) in a new family of low carbon NiCrCuV advanced ultra-high strength steel (A-UHSS) microalloyed with boron under hot deformation conditions. For this purpose, uniaxial hot-compression tests are carried out in a low carbon A-UHSS microalloyed with different amounts of boron (14, 33, 82, 126 and 214 ppm) over a wide range of temperatures (950, 1000, 1050 and 1100°C) and constant true strain rates (10 3 , 10 2 and 10 1 s 1 ). Deformed samples are prepared and chemically etched with a saturated aqueous picric acid solution at 80°C in order to reveal the D rec and examined by light optical (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The D rec is related to the Zener-Hollomon parameter (Z), and thereafter the D rec divided by Burger's vector (b) is related to the steady state stress ( ss ) divided by the shear modulus ( ) (Derby model). Results shown that the D rec in the current steels is fine ( 23 μm) and almost equiaxed, and the recrystallized grain size-flow stress relationship observed after of plastic deformation is consistent with the general formulation proposed by Derby. It is corroborated that boron additions to the current A-UHSS do not have meaningful influence on the D rec .