Characteristics of Hot Ductility and Fracture in Micro-Alloyed Q345B Structural Steel

Abstract

Hot-ductility tests of the microalloyed Q345B structural steel were performed in a tensile machine of Gleeble-1500D at different strain rates of 1.5•10-3/s 、2.5•10-3/s and 2•10-2/s and at temperature range from 1300°C to 700°C(Δ T=100°C ), which are close to the continuous casting condition of steel. Fracture surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope; it was found that the hot decrease as strain rate decrease, because the void growth mechanism predominates over void nucleation, giving time for nucleation cracks to grow. The minimum ductility was found at about 800°C for the strain rates of 1.5•10-3/s and 2.5•10-3/s, and the fracture was intergranular. The steel has good plasticity in temperature range from 1200°C to 900°C which is suitable for straighten operation.