Effect of Non-Metallic Inclusions on the Hot Ductility of High-Mn Steels

Abstract

The aim of the work was to determine the effect of non-metallic inclusions on the hot ductility of two newly . For this purpose, a hot tensile test was carried out in the temperature range from 1050°C to 1200°C with a constant strain rate of 2.5⸱10 -3 s -1 . The tests were performed on the Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator. Hot ductility of tested steels was defined by determining the reduction in area (% RA). Examined steels demonstrate diversified hot ductility. Clearly higher hot ductility was noted for the 24Mn-3Si-1.5Al-Ti steel. The reduction in area of this steel in the temperature range from 1050°C to 1200°C decreases from approx. 90% to about 58%, while the reduction in area of the 27Mn-4Si-2Al steel, in the same temperature range, decreases from approx. 66% to about 34%. The presence of single, regular-shaped AlN particles and complex MnS-AlN-type non-metallic inclusions was revealed in the 27Mn-4Si-2Al steel. Whereas fine (Ce, La, Nd)S-type sulphides, properly modified with rare earth elements, were identified in the 24Mn-3Si-1.5Al-Ti steel. The AlN-type inclusions and complex MnS-AlN-type inclusions were not revealed in the 24Mn-3Si-1.5Al-Ti steel. This is due to the presence of Ti microaddition, the concentration of which guaranteed binding of the whole nitrogen into stable TiN-type nitrides. Sulphides, disclosed in the 24Mn-3Si-1.5Al-Ti steel, are globular or slightly elongated in the direction of plastic deformation, as confirmed by a very low value of the elongation factor equal 1.48. This creates the opportunity to produce sheets of high strength and ductility and low anisotropy of mechanical properties.