Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Hardenability'

Gas quench technology has been rapidly developed recently with the intent to replace water and oil quench for medium and high hardenability steel. One of the significant advantages is to reduce the distortion and stress, compared to water and oil quench. However, not like liquid quench, no gas quench steel hardenability test standard exists. The fundamental difference between liquid quench and gas quench is heat transfer coefficient. The workpiece with the same hardness after liquid and gas quench process may have different microstructure due to different cooling curves. The concept of equivalent gas quench heat transfer coefficient (HTC) is proposed to have the same cooling curve, microstructure and hardness when compared with liquid quench. Several influencing factors on steel hardenability have been discussed, such as austenizing temperature, heating rate, holding time, composition variation and grain size difference. The phase quantification by X-ray Diffraction and Rietveld Refinement method is developed to measure phase percentage for steel microstructure, including martensite, ferrite and carbides. The limitations and improvements of modified Jominy gas quench test are discussed. The fundamental limitation of Jominy gas quench test is that one gas quench condition cannot be used for both low hardenability steel and high hardenability steel at the same time. The same steel grade would have different hardenability curves under different gas quench conditions, which made it difficult to compare the hardenability among different steels. The critical HTC test based on Grossmann test is proposed to overcome the limitations. In the test, different gas quench HTC conditions are applied to the sample with the same geometry. After sectioning each bar at mid-length, the bar that has 50% martensite at its center is selected, and the applied gas quench HTC of this bar is designated as the critical HTC. This test has many advantages to take the place of modified Jominy gas quench test. Since one of the advantages of gas quench is greater process flexibility to vary cooling rates, gas marquenching technology is proposed to obtain martensite with less sever cooling rate and reduce the distortion and stress.

In this thesis a mixture density network has been constructed to predict steel hardenability for a given alloy composition. Throughout the work hardenability is expressed in terms of jominy profiles according to the standard jominy test. A piecewise linear description of the jominy profile has been developed to solve the problem of missing data, model identification from data based on different units and measurement uncertainty. When the underlying physical processes are complex and not well understood, as the case with hardenability modelling, mixture density networks, which are an extension of neural networks, offer a strong non-linear modelling alternative. Mixture density networks model conditional probability densities, from which it is possible to determine any statistical property. Here the model output is presented in terms of expectation values along with confidence interval. This statistical output facilitates future extension of the model towards optimisation of alloy cost. A good agreement has been obtained between the experimental and the calculated data. In order to ensure the reliability of the model in service, novelty detection of the input data is performed.

Recent work has highlighted unusual effects of vanadium when used in conjunction with other microalloying additions on the hardenability of steels. Positive and negative synergistic effects have been observed, but studies into the mechanisms have been limited. To investigate the effects, vanadium interactions with aluminium, molybdenum, niobium and titanium were studied in low (0.1%) and medium (0.4%) carbon steels, containing normal (0.008%) and enhanced (0.020%) nitrogen. Utilising standard jominy test conditions of 950°C for one hour resulted in classical hardenability responses being obtained, where increasing quantities of microalloying additions in solution increase the hardenability. However, when the jominy test conditions were varied unexpected effects were observed. Extending the austenitising time to eight hours showed that the hardenability was dependent upon kinetic effects such as the rate of solution of the alloy carbides/nitrides and the rate at which the microalloying elements in solution segregated to the austenite grain boundaries. It was also observed that if the austenitising temperature was increased to 1200°C a decrease in hardenability could be obtained by increasing the quantity of vanadium, niobium or titanium. These effects were attributed to a combination of thermal dispersion of microalloying clusters from the austenite grain boundaries, preferrential transformation on large alloy carbides/nitrides and migration of the austenite grain boundaries. Therefore it was considered inadequate to explain hardenablity solely in terms of the carbon concentration, austenite grain size and amount of other alloying elements present. Additional factors such as cluster formation, grain boundary pinning etc., were identified and applied to the results to successfully explain the effects of the alloy interactions on hardenability. Recent studies on vanadium alloyed pearlitic steels showed significant increases in strength could be obtained by precipitation within the pearlitic ferrite. Mechanical property investigations of two steels indicated that a maximum precipitation effect was obtained at an isothermal transformation temperature of 600°C.

"Quenching is the rapid cooling process from an elevated temperature. Compared to water and oil quench medium, high pressure and velocity gas is preferred to quench medium and high hardenability steel, with the potential to reduce distortion, stress and cracks. Currently, no standard test exists to characterize the gas quench steel hardenability and measure the performance of industrial gas quench furnaces. In this thesis, the fundamental difference between the liquid and gas quenching, heat transfer coefficient, was emphasized. It has been proven that gas quenching with constant HTC cannot generate the similar cooling curves compared to liquid quenching. Limitations on current gas quench steel hardenability tests were reviewed. Critical HTC, a concept like critical diameter, was successfully proved to describe the gas quench hardenability of steel. An attempt to use critical HTC test bar and measure the HTC distribution of gas quench furnace was made. Gas quenching, usually with slow cooling rate, may reduce hardness and Charpy impact toughness, compared to water and oil quenching. Lattice parameter and c/a ratio of as-quenched martensite in steel was measured using high resolution X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement. For AISI 4140, Charpy impact toughness decreases when the cooling rate decreases after quenching and tempering. Austenite percentage and carbon content in austenite is proposed as the dominated mechanism."

Galvanneling heat treatment exerts a significant influence on the galvannealed coating quality, once it affects the formation of Fe-Zn intermetallic compounds. Small variations on temperature and process time lead to consequences that go from coating malformation, due to the lack of thermal flux, to delamination, due to overheating. The heat treatment influence is more pronounced in high strength steels with P and B, once these elements reduce the substrate reactivity, increasing the necessity of a strict thermal flux control to promote the coating formation and to compensate productivity losses. Thus, a study was proposed to determine the effects of heat treatment conditions on the galvannealed coating formation on high strength steels with fósforo and B, and bake hardenability. For that, a technique for developing galvanneling heat treatment models was established. Galvanneling process simulations were carried out in laboratory scale varying heat treatment temperature from 530°C to 580°C. For all simulations, complete galvannealing cycles (fully processed samples) were produced, as well as, galvannealing cycles interrupted during the soaking stage, by fast cooling of the samples, aiming to evaluate the coating microstructure evolution during the treatment. The coatings characterization was carried out by plasma spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, Auger spectrometry, electrochemical stripping of zinc layer, X-ray diffraction and electron backscattered diffraction. This study results allowed the determination of the galvannealing conditions effects on the galvannealed coating formation, being possible to establish optimal conditions to the galvanneling heat treatment of high strength steels with fósforo and B. Furthermore, the results also allowed the determination of a correlation between steel and coating microstructure, making possible to establish actions to minimize defects like craters, cracks and delamination. Moreover, the heat treatment and characterization methodologies developed in this study will be applied to evaluate other steels, mainly the ones with high mechanical strength, for which the galvannealing processes were not optimized, bringing remarkable benefits to them.
O tratamento térmico de galvanneling exerce efeito significativo na qualidade do revestimento galvannealed, por afetar diretamente a constituição dos compostos intermetálicos Fe-Zn. Pequenos desajustes na temperatura e tempo desse processo produzem conseqüências que vão desde a má formação do revestimento, por insuficiência de aporte térmico, até o desplacamento, por excesso. Essa influência do tratamento térmico é ainda mais pronunciada em aços de alta resistência mecânica, contendo fósforo e boro, em função desses elementos reduzirem a reatividade do substrato, aumentando a necessidade de maior controle do aporte térmico para a continuidade do processo e para compensar perdas de produtividade. Assim, foi proposto um estudo no sentido de determinar o efeito das condições de tratamento térmico de galvannealing na formação do revestimento galvanizado a quente galvannealed (GA) formado sobre aços de alta resistência contendo fósforo e B, com características de bake hardenability. Para a condução desse estudo foram realizadas, em escala de laboratório, simulações do processo de galvannealing, variando-se a temperatura de aquecimento entre 530°C e 580°C. Em todas as simulações, além dos ciclos completos (amostras totalmente processadas), foram realizadas, também, interrupções do tratamento ao longo da etapa de encharque, através de resfriamentos bruscos das amostras, com o objetivo de se avaliar a microestrutura do revestimento ao longo de todo o tratamento. Para a caracterização dos revestimentos produzidos foram realizadas análises por espectrometria de plasma, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, espectrometria Auger, dissolução eletroquímica da camada de zinco, difração de raios X, e difração de elétrons retroespalhados (EBSD). Os resultados do presente estudo permitiram estabelecer uma metodologia para o desenvolvimento de modelos de tratamento térmico de galvannealing e determinar o efeito das condições de galvannealing na formação do revestimento GA, de maneira a se estabelecer condições otimizadas para o processamento do aço bake hardenable. Além disso, as metodologias desenvolvidas nesse estudo, tanto de simulação do tratamento térmico quanto de caracterização do revestimento, poderão ser aplicadas a outros aços, principalmente os de mais elevada resistência mecânica, e para os quais os tratamentos de galvannealing não estão otimizados, com benefícios substanciais às suas qualidades.

Os aços com adição de boro temperados e revenidos têm sido utilizados em diversas aplicações que exigem um compromisso entre boas propriedades mecânicas e baixo custo. Por sua grande utilização e demanda crescente em novas aplicações com exigências mais severas de propriedades mecânicas, a influência dos parâmetros do processo e do tratamento térmico subsequente no comportamento mecânico deve ser mais bem estudada. Com o objetivo principal de caracterizar o aço ao boro DIN 39MnCrB6-2, construiu-se o diagrama de fases metaestável através de simulação, a curva de ductilidade a quente e avaliou-se a influência da temperatura de revenimento na microestrutura e nas propriedades mecânicas de tração e resistência ao impacto. Para isso, utilizou-se amostras de barras laminadas cedidas pela GERDAU - Aços Especiais Brasil de Pindamonhangaba - SP. O montante de amostras utilizadas pôde ser dividido em duas bitolas distintas: quadrada de 155 mm (grupo G1) e redonda de 34,93 mm (grupo G2). Estas amostras foram submetidas a tratamento de têmpera e revenimento e tiveram as propriedades mecânicas de tração, resistência ao impacto e dureza analisadas. Estas amostras foram caracterizadas por microscopia óptica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As amostras de seção transversal quadrada de 155 mm foram utilizadas para análises químicas para identificação de segregação e para a construção das curvas de ductilidade a quente. Nas amostras do grupo G1, observou-se segregação inversa de carbono e bons resultados de ductilidade a quente. As amostras de seção transversal redonda apresentaram diferenças significativas em propriedades de tração (Limite de Resistência e Tensão de Escoamento) e dureza mas não apresentaram diferença significativa em resistência ao impacto em baixas temperaturas (-40°C) em função da temperatura de revenimento. A região de fratura do corpo de prova ensaiado e foram encontrados borocarbonetos de menor dimensão. Foram obtidos bons resultados de resistência ao impacto em temperatura ambiente nas amostras temperadas e revenidas que se mantiveram mesmo com a normalização anterior ao tratamento térmico. Conclui-se que a formação de borocarbonetos é inerente aos aços ao boro e o seu crescimento deve ser evitado a fim de diminuir os pontos de fragilização na microestrutura.
Boron added steels in quenched and tempered condition have been used in a large number of applications with mechanical properties and low cost requirements, i.e., automotive, petrochemical and O&G industries. For its great use and increasing demand for new applications with more severe requirements for mechanical properties, it is important to study the influence of process parameters and subsequent heat treatment on the mechanical behavior. In order to characterize the boron steel DIN 39MnCrB6-2, the metastable phase diagram and the hot ductility curve were built. The influence of tempering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of tensile and impact strength was studied. For this study, DIN 39MnCrB6-2 rolled steel bars samples were used. They were provided by Gerdau - Specialty Steel Brazil Pindamonhangaba - SP. The samples could be divided into two different diameters and cross sections: square 155 mm (G1) and round 34.93 mm (G2), from sequential steps of manufacturing process. These samples were quenched and tempered and the tensile mechanical properties, impact resistance (Charpy V-notch) and hardness were analyzed. These samples were also characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Samples from the first step of rolling mill (square 155 mm) were used for chemical analysis to identify the segregation pattern and also to hot ductility tests. In samples G1 it was observed inverse segregation of carbon and no abnormal ductility loss in hot ductility test. Impact resistance results showed low absorbed energy for all tempering temperatures. Microscopy observation showed coarse borocarbides. Samples G2 showed significant differences in tensile properties and hardness related to tempering temperature. However, no significant differences in impact resistance (CVN) at low test temperatures (-40 ° C) were observed. Microscopy observation showed thin borocarbides. It was concluded that the formation of borocarbides is inherent in boron steels and their coarse morphology should be avoided in order to reduce embrittlement. Borocarbide morphology control is more effective to improve impact resistance than reduction ratio.

The Diploma thesis deals with the verification of Jominy end-quench test when analysis of hardenability of aluminium alloys is considered. The problem was solved experimentally, by developing end-quench curves of selected grades of aluminium alloys. Degree of hardenability of alloy is hardness after complete strengthening heat treatment. Samples of aluminium alloys commonly used for aircraft structures were prepared and then subjected to end-quench tests in various quenchants. On the basis of performed experiments, suitability of Jominy end-quench test for comparison of hardenability of alloys was found. Part of the thesis deals with the creation of equivalent cooling rate diagrams using the developed end-quench curves.

Os aços da classe SAE 5120 são largamente utilizados para a produção de eixos e engrenagens de caixas de transmissão. As adições de nióbio e boro neste aço visam modificar a microestrutura e, consequentemente, alteram as propriedades metalúrgicas e mecânicas deste aço. Adições de nióbio ancoram o crescimento de grão austenítico, permitindo um aumento de produtividade no processamento visto que temperaturas de laminação e de tratamento térmico mais elevadas podem ser aplicadas sem que ocorra o crescimento de grão austenítico. O boro encontra-se tanto na forma solúvel como nãosolúvel nos aços. O boro solúvel aumenta a temperabilidade, devido à segregação deste elemento durante a solidificação nos contornos de grãos, retardando a nucleação da ferrita. O boro não-solúvel (combinado) também contribui para o ancoramento dos contornos de grãos austeníticos, visto que este se combina com o nitrogênio formando o BN cuja temperatura de solubilização é por volta de 1360ºC. O objetivo principal foi avaliar a cinética de transformação do aço SAE 5120 com a adição simultânea de boro e nióbio por meio da curva de transformação por resfriamento contínuo (CCT) a partir do campo austenítico (930oC). As amostras foram caracterizadas por microscopia óptica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura e por ensaios de dureza, possibilitando a construção da curva CCT para diferentes taxas de resfriamento. Na análise metalográfica observou-se a segregação de manganês e cromo da matéria-prima (estrutura bandeada) e a forte tendência de formação da bainita. Com o auxílio do programa de simulação termodinâmica computacional Thermocalc, foi possível simular as fases termodinamicamente estáveis, verificando que o boro e o nióbio formam precipitados estáveis em altas temperaturas (acima de 1150ºC), sendo os principais responsáveis pelo refino de grão. A temperabilidade e comportamento mecânico foram avaliados pelos ensaios Jominy e o ensaio de impacto Brugger, respectivamente. A influência dos elementos de liga nestes ensaios foi avaliada através de método de regressão linear por meio do software Minitab.
SAE 5120-alloyed steel is largely used to manufacture transmission gears and shafts for automotive industry. Alloying with niobium and boron is intentionally made to modify the microstructure and, consequently, promoting changes in metallurgical and mechanical proprieties. Alloying with niobium prevents austenitic grain growth (pinning effect), leading to an increase of productivity since higher rolling mill and heat treatment temperatures can be achieved. Boron can be found either soluble or insoluble in steels. Soluble B increases hardness, because it segregates to grain boundaries retarding the nucleation of ferrite. Insoluble B, on the other hand, also plays a role on avoiding austenitic grain growth due to its chemical reaction with N forming BN whose solubility temperature is around 1360ºC. The main target of this work was to evaluate the kinetics of phase transformations by continuous cooling transformation (CCT) from the austenitic field (930oC). The microstructure was analyzed by optical microscope, scanning eléctron microscope (SEM), and hardness testing, allowing building the CCT diagram with different cooling rates. It was observed by means of conventional metallography the segregation of Mn and Cr (banding) during solidification of the raw material and a strong propensity to form bainite. Using the Thermocalc software, it was possible to predict the thermodynamically stable phases, proving that boron and niobium form stable precipitates at high temperatures (above 1150ºC) responsible to decrease austenitic grain size. The hardenability and mechanical properties were investigated by Jominy and Brugger impact tests, respectively. The effect alloy adding in these tests were analyzed by linear regression in the software Minitab.

Orientador: Sergio Tonini Button
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica
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Resumo: A exigência por parte das montadoras por produtos com maior qualidade, a preços mais baixos e com diminuição do prazo de entrega, faz com que as indústrias de autopeças concentrem esforços na busca de processos e materiais alternativos. Os processos de forjamento a quente aliados aos aços microligados, que também são conhecidos como aços de alta resistência e baixa liga (ARBL), tem uma extensa aplicação em componentes automotivos. A proposta deste trabalho é estudar o comportamento microestrutural e mecânico (resistência e tenacidade) do aço microligado 27MnSiVS6, quando empregado no processo ausforming, a fim de analisar-se o desempenho do processo e a qualidade dos produtos, comparando-o com os processos de forjamento a quente e a morno. Os produtos forjados proveniente do processo de ausforming que foram submetidos aos ensaios de tração unidirecional, dureza, fadiga em flexão rotativa e tenacidade a fratura apresentaram as melhores propriedades mecânicas. A microscopia óptica e microscopia eletrônica (varredura e transmissão) que foram utilizadas para caracterização microestrutural dos produtos forjados demonstraram o refino dos grãos ferríticos, a presença de inclusões não metálicas (MnS) e a contribuição dos mecanismos de endurecimento ao limite de escoamento. Os testes estatísticos aplicados aos resultados permitiram concluir, que os produtos obtidos pelo processo de forjamento ausforming apresentam a melhor combinação de resistência mecânica e qualidade superficial dos produtos forjados, sem aumentar a carga de forjamento
Abstract: The demand of the automotive industry for parts with high overall quality, low costs and reduced time to market, forced the suppliers to search alternative materials and manufacturing processes. Hot forgings with microalloyed steels, also known as HSLA (High Strength Low Alloy), represent an extensive application in automotive parts. The main objective of this work is to study the workability of a microalloyed steel deformed by ausforming and compare the products microstructures and forming loads to those obtained by hot and warm forging. Results from preliminary upsetting tests confirmed the viability of this study. Finally forgings tests were held to define the forming load and to analyze products microstructures for these three processes. Forgings were analyzed by tensile tests, fatigue under cyclic flexion tests, and fracture toughness tests. Optical and electronic microscopy (SEM and TEM) applied to evaluate the forgings microstructure showed the ferritic grain refinement, the presence of non-metallic inclusions (MnS) and confirmed the contribution of hardening mechanisms to increase the yield strength of forging products. The statistical analysis of the experimental results showed that ausforming is a suitable process to substitute hot and warm forging since ausforming presented lower loads when compared to warm forging, and ausformed forgings presented the best combination of mechanical strength and surface quality, without a significant increase of the forging loads
Doutorado
Materiais e Processos de Fabricação
Doutor em Engenharia Mecânica

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’aboutir à une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de ségrégation du bore aux joints de grains austénitiques (γGB) et de leur effet sur la décomposition de l’austénite. En effet, l’addition de très faibles quantités de bore comme élément d’alliage permet d’augmenter de manière remarquable la résistance mécanique des aciers à très haute résistance. Cet effet est lié à l’état du bore aux γGBs qui décale la cinétique de décomposition de l’austénite.Tout d’abord, la distribution du bore dans la microstructure a été identifiée de manière très précise à l’aide des analyses de la même zone par Nano-SIMS et par MEB. De plus, le couplage de la sonde atomique tomographique et du Nano-SIMS a apporté une meilleure quantification de l’état du bore dans la microstructure. Ces études ont été réalisées après différents traitements thermiques qui ont été conçus spécifiquement pour étudier séparément chaque mécanisme. L’ensemble de ces résultats permet d’écarter la contribution de la ségrégation hors équilibre et confirme la présence d’un équilibre local entre les γGBs et la solution solide dans leurs voisinages. Par conséquent, le niveau de ségrégation du bore aux γGBs est contrôlé par l’état de précipitation des borures qui définit la concentration du bore en solution solide.Par ailleurs, des mesures de DRX in situ et de dilatomètrie ont été effectuées afin de suivre les cinétiques de formation de la bainite. Les résultats montrent que la cinétique de formation de la bainite est retardée en augmentant la quantité de bore ségrégé, par contre l’augmentation de la taille de grain austénitique l’accélère
The aim of this thesis is to lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of boron segregation at austenite grain boundaries (γGB) and its effect on the austenite decomposition. Indeed, the small quantity of boron as alloying element remarkably improves the mechanical resistance of the advanced high strength steels. This effect is related to the boron state at γGBs, which delays the kinetics of austenite decomposition.The boron distribution in the microstructure was precisely identified thanks to the analyses of the same field by using correlative nano-SIMS and SEM. In addition, the coupling of APT and nano-SIMS provided a better quantification of the boron state in the microstructure. These studies were performed after different heat treatments, which were specifically designed to study separately each mechanism. The results excludes the contribution of non-equilibrium segregation mechanism on boron segregation at γGBs and confirm the local equilibrium between the γGBs and the solid solution at the γGBs vicinity. Consequently, the level of boron segregation at γGBs is controlled by boride precipitation, which controls the concentration of boron in solid solution.Measurements of in situ XRD and the dilatometry were performed in order to follow the kinetics of bainite formation. The specific heat treatments were applied before bainite formation in order to study the effect of boron segregated amount at γGBs and the austenite grain size. These results show that the kinetics of bainitic transformation is delayed by the increase of boron segregated amount. Whereas, the increasing of austenite grain size accelerates the kinetics of bainitic transformation

High entropy alloys (HEAs) is a concept wherein alloys are constructed with five or more elements mixed in equal proportions; these are also known as multi-principle elements (MPEs) or complex concentrated alloys (CCAs). This PhD thesis dissertation presents research conducted to develop precipitation-hardenable high entropy alloys using a much-studied fcc-based equi-atomic quaternary alloy (CoCrFeNi). Minor additions of aluminium make the alloy amenable for precipitating ordered intermetallic phases in an fcc matrix. Aluminum also affects grain growth kinetics and Hall-Petch hardenability. The use of a combinatorial approach for assessing composition-microstructure-property relationships in high entropy alloys, or more broadly in complex concentrated alloys; using laser deposited compositionally graded AlxCrCuFeNi2 (0 < x < 1.5) complex concentrated alloys as a candidate system. The composition gradient has been achieved from CrCuFeNi2 to Al1.5CrCuFeNi2 over a length of ~25 mm, deposited using the laser engineered net shaping process from a blend of elemental powders. With increasing Al content, there was a gradual change from an fcc-based microstructure (including the ordered L12 phase) to a bcc-based microstructure (including the ordered B2 phase), accompanied with a progressive increase in microhardness. Based on this combinatorial assessment, two promising fcc-based precipitation strengthened systems have been identified; Al0.3CuCrFeNi2 and Al0.3CoCrFeNi, and both compositions were subsequently thermo-mechanically processed via conventional techniques. The phase stability and mechanical properties of these alloys have been investigated and will be presented. Additionally, the activation energy for grain growth as a function of Al content in these complex alloys has also been investigated. Change in fcc grain growth kinetic was studied as a function of aluminum; the apparent activation energy for grain growth increases by about three times going from Al0.1CoCrFeNi (3% Al (at%)) to Al0.3CoCrFeNi. (7% Al (at%)). Furthermore, Al addition leads to the precipitation of highly refined ordered L12 (γ′) and B2 precipitates in Al0.3CoCrFeNi. A detailed investigation of precipitation of the ordered phases in Al0.3CoCrFeNi and their thermal stability is done using atom probe tomography (APT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Synchrotron X-ray in situ and ex situ analyses. The alloy strengthened via grain boundary strengthening following the Hall-Petch relationship offers a large increment of strength with small variation in grain size. Tensile strength of the Al0.3CoFeNi is increased by 50% on precipitation fine-scale γ′ precipitates. Furthermore, precipitation of bcc based ordered phase B2 in Al0.3CoCrFeNi can further strengthen the alloy. Fine-tuning the microstructure by thermo-mechanical treatments achieved a wide range of mechanical properties in the same alloy. The Al0.3CoCrFeNi HEA exhibited ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ~250 MPa and ductility of ~65%; a UTS of ~1100 MPa and ductility of ~30%; and a UTS of 1850 MPa and a ductility of 5% after various thermo-mechanical treatments. Grain sizes, precipitates type and size scales manipulated in the alloy result in different strength ductility combinations. Henceforth, the alloy presents a fertile ground for development by grain boundary strengthening and precipitation strengthening, and offers very high activation energy of grain growth aptly suitable for high-temperature applications.

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’aboutir à une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de ségrégation du bore aux joints de grains austénitiques (γGB) et de leur effet sur la décomposition de l’austénite. En effet, l’addition de très faibles quantités de bore comme élément d’alliage permet d’augmenter de manière remarquable la résistance mécanique des aciers à très haute résistance. Cet effet est lié à l’état du bore aux γGBs qui décale la cinétique de décomposition de l’austénite.Tout d’abord, la distribution du bore dans la microstructure a été identifiée de manière très précise à l’aide des analyses de la même zone par Nano-SIMS et par MEB. De plus, le couplage de la sonde atomique tomographique et du Nano-SIMS a apporté une meilleure quantification de l’état du bore dans la microstructure. Ces études ont été réalisées après différents traitements thermiques qui ont été conçus spécifiquement pour étudier séparément chaque mécanisme. L’ensemble de ces résultats permet d’écarter la contribution de la ségrégation hors équilibre et confirme la présence d’un équilibre local entre les γGBs et la solution solide dans leurs voisinages. Par conséquent, le niveau de ségrégation du bore aux γGBs est contrôlé par l’état de précipitation des borures qui définit la concentration du bore en solution solide.Par ailleurs, des mesures de DRX in situ et de dilatomètrie ont été effectuées afin de suivre les cinétiques de formation de la bainite. Les résultats montrent que la cinétique de formation de la bainite est retardée en augmentant la quantité de bore ségrégé, par contre l’augmentation de la taille de grain austénitique l’accélère
The aim of this thesis is to lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms of boron segregation at austenite grain boundaries (γGB) and its effect on the austenite decomposition. Indeed, the small quantity of boron as alloying element remarkably improves the mechanical resistance of the advanced high strength steels. This effect is related to the boron state at γGBs, which delays the kinetics of austenite decomposition.The boron distribution in the microstructure was precisely identified thanks to the analyses of the same field by using correlative nano-SIMS and SEM. In addition, the coupling of APT and nano-SIMS provided a better quantification of the boron state in the microstructure. These studies were performed after different heat treatments, which were specifically designed to study separately each mechanism. The results excludes the contribution of non-equilibrium segregation mechanism on boron segregation at γGBs and confirm the local equilibrium between the γGBs and the solid solution at the γGBs vicinity. Consequently, the level of boron segregation at γGBs is controlled by boride precipitation, which controls the concentration of boron in solid solution.Measurements of in situ XRD and the dilatometry were performed in order to follow the kinetics of bainite formation. The specific heat treatments were applied before bainite formation in order to study the effect of boron segregated amount at γGBs and the austenite grain size. These results show that the kinetics of bainitic transformation is delayed by the increase of boron segregated amount. Whereas, the increasing of austenite grain size accelerates the kinetics of bainitic transformation

Avaliou-se experimentalmente o ferro fundido branco de alto-cromo-molibdênio ao qual foi adicionado nióbio, a respeito de sua temperabilidade. Dilatometricamente traçou-se a curva TTT desse material, bem como a de um ferro fundido branco de alto cromo para efeito comparativo. Constatou-se por essa comparação e pelos resultados da literatura a alta temperabilidade obtida pela liga experimental. A partir da temperatura de austenitização utilizada, podem-se usar taxas de resfriamento de até 0,12°C/s sem transformação de fase, enquanto que na liga comparativa essa taxa aumenta para 5,8°C/s. Foram realizadas análises de desgaste abrasivo, de dureza e microdureza, de difração por raios-X , de fase magnética e de microanálise como forma de caracterizar as transformações de fase observadas por dilatometria. As variações estruturais decorrentes dos tratamentos térmicos realizados nas duas ligas foram acompanhados por microscopia ótica. É indicativo pelo presente trabalho que tal material além de suas características inerentes de resistência à abrasão e à corrosão oferece maior flexibilidade nos projetos que envolvam paredes espessas.
In this work we studied the hardenability of high chromium- molibdenum white cast iron with niobium. By dilatometry we obtained the TTT curve of this material as well as the high chromium white cast iron for comparison. This comparison and available results in literature confirm the high temperability of experimental material. We can use slow rate cooling 0,12°C/s or higher without phase transformation, while in the comparative alloy this rate is around 5,8°C/s or higher from specific used austenitic abrasive temperature. We also realized analysis of abrasive wear, hardness and microhardness, raios-X difraction, magnetic phase and microanalyse for verifing the phase transformation as observed by dilatometry. The structure variation as function of termic treatment in both alloys is monitored by optical microscope. The present work indicate that the material under study can offer more flexibility for projects with thick materials apart from intrinsic characteristics of abrasive wear and corrosion.

M. Tech. Metallurgical Engineering
Titanium and its alloys exhibit poor tribological characteristics. The poor resistance to sliding wear of Ti6Al4V alloy makes it susceptible to severe wear at the surface during sliding contact. This could cause galling and seizing during sliding contact. Ti6Al4V alloy also have poor corrosion resistance under critical conditions. Some problems with Ti6Al4V MMCs produced by laser cladding technique in most cases is poor bonding as a result of wetting properties between the ceramic and metal powders for reinforcement. Occurrence of porosity is another factor which can reduce the mechanical properties of MMCs. Occurrence of agglomerates is also a concern due to poor mixing of reinforcement powders. This project is aimed at investigating the effect of laser cladding of titanium alloy substrate with zirconium (Zr), titanium carbide (TiC), titanium (Ti) reinforcement additions. The effect of combination of these powders using various fractions and variable cladding parameters on the substrate will be investigated.