Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The first successful application of a new method to investigate phase transformations in real time, like the decomposition of austenite into bainite in grey iron, is described. During the ongoing transformation, transmission spectra of thermal neutrons, which contain Bragg edges corresponding to the crystal structure of the transforming phases, are recorded. By evaluating the height of these Bragg edges, which is a measure of the volume fraction of the phase, at different transformation times, the transformation can be followed in-situ in a time resolved manner. The method is compared to other previously used methods (micrographs, dilatometry, diffraction techniques); also a summary and an outlook are given. ((orig.))

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In globulitic gray iron (3.6 wt.% C, 2.4 wt.% Si and 0.45 wt.% Mn) the decomposition of austenite into bainite is investigated in real time using a new method based on neutron scattering. During the phase transformation transmission spectra of thermal neutrons are continuously recorded containing specific Bragg edges. Thus, the transformation is followed in-situ time resolved by evaluating the relative (micro)structural fractions of the transforming phases from the heights of the corresponding Bragg edges. The progression of the transformation is described and the results are discussed. The observed late time deviations from the Avrami law are explained by residual stresses of the second kind (homogeneous microstresses), which occur during the transformation because of the different specific volumes of the phases. ((orig.))

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The impact properties of high-strength low alloy TRIP steels such as 'TRIP-aided dual-phase steel' and 'TRIP-aided bainitic steel' associated with the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) of retained austenite were investigated for some applications to the automotive impact members. The TRIP steels possessed far higher impact absorbed value and lower ductile-brittle transition temperature than the conventional ferrite-martensite and ferrite-pearlite steels. The stress relaxation resulting from the strain-induced transformation of retained austenite islands or films improved the impact properties in terms of suppressing void and/or crack initiation and these propagation. The best impact properties were completed in the steel composing of uniform fine bainitic lath structure and a large amount of stable interlath retained austenite films. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Neutron irradiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels is one of the critical issues on aging management for long term operation of nuclear power plants. Mechanistic understanding of embrittlement is a key to accurate prediction of embrittlement, especially after long term operation where the mechanical test data are sparse. Since matrix hardening is the source of the embrittlement, we focus on matrix hardening of A533B bainitic pressure vessel steel. Bainitic matrix is composed of lath structure made by ferrite and carbides, therefore it is important to understand how this structure affects hardening behavior, and to understand irradiation response of each phase. As the typical dimension of lath structure of A533B is about one micron, nanoindentation technique is suitable for the estimation of hardening of each phase. MV ion accelerators were used for controlled irradiation because MeV ion irradiation can produce defects to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mixed microstructures have been studied in low- carbon microalloyed steels suitable for automotive applications, after continuous cooling from the hot-rolled condition. Microstructural features such as polygonal ferrite, bainitic and acicular ferrite and microphase constituent are identified using transmission electron microscopy. The influence of these mixed structures on the tensile strength, impact toughness and fracture behaviour is examined. It is found that improvements in impact toughness as compared with microalloyed medium- carbon ferrite/pearlite steels can be achieved from these predominantly acicular structures developed by controlling alloy composition and continuous cooling of these lower carbon steels. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Smooth and notched specimens of the bearing steel 100Cr6 (SAE 52100) in a bainitic condition were used to determine the S-N-curves under tensile, torsional and combined in- and out-of-phase loading. In the area of high-cycle-fatigue, crack initiation was most likely caused by inclusions like Titanium Carbonitrides or Aluminium Oxides. A model was developed to describe the influence of the magnitude of these inclusions on the lifetime. A weakest link model, using the statistical distribution of inclusions and surface flaws, was used to describe the fatigue limit. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Smooth and notched specimens of the bearing steel 100Cr6 (SAE 52100) in a bainitic condition were used to determine the S-N curves under tensile, torsional and combined in- and out-of-phase loading. In the area of high-cycle fatigue, crack initiation was most likely caused by inclusions like Titanium Carbon nitrides or Aluminium Oxides. A micro mechanical model for the crack initiation by inclusions was developed. Another model was developed to describe the influence of these inclusions on the lifetime. A weakest-link model, using the statistical distribution of inclusions and surface flaws, was used to describe the endurance limit. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hard surface finishing represents the final manufacturing step for functional areas of machine elements in state-of-the-art production. Raceways of rolling bearing rings are ground and honed to the required low roughness. Plastic deformation is restricted to a narrow edge zone of the hardened steel. Reheating of the machined components below the martensite tempering or bainite transformation temperature results in a marked decrease of the XRD line width on the surface. The investigated samples are made of through-hardened standard bearing steel 100Cr6 (international denotation: SAE 52100). On the basis of a material model that explains the effect as a complex diffusion process of dislocational carbon segregation, i.e. static strain aging, the measured kinetics of the XRD line width reduction is simulated by an Arrhenius-type equation, which describes the rate-controlling reaction step of temper carbide dissolution. The formation of a small white-etching surface ...

Science.gov (United States)

In this study, four API X80 pipeline steels were fabricated by varying Mo, Cr, and V additions, and their microstructures and crystallographic orientations were analyzed to investigate the effects of their alloying compositions on tensile properties and Charpy impact properties. Because additions of Mo and V promoted the formation of fine acicular ferrite (AF) and granular bainite (GB) while prohibiting the formation of coarse GB, they increased the strength and upper-shelf energy (USE) and decreased the energy transition temperature (ETT). The addition of Cr promoted the formation of coarse GB and hard secondary phases, thereby leading to an increased effective grain size, ETT, and strength, and a decreased USE. The addition of V resulted in a higher strength, a higher USE, a smaller effective grain size, and a lower ETT, because it promoted the formation of fine and homogeneous of AF and GB. The steel that contains 0.3 wt pct Mo and 0.06 wt pct V without Cr had ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Smooth and notched specimens of the bearing steel 100Cr6 (SAE 52100) in a bainitic condition were used to determine the S-N curves under tensile, torsional and combined in- and out-of-phase loading. In the area of high-cycle fatigue, crack initiation was most likely caused by inclusions like Titanium Carbonnitrides or Aluminium Oxides. A micro mechanical model for the crack initiation by inclusions was developed. Another model was developed to describe the influence of these inclusions on the lifetime. A weakest-link model, using the statistical distribution of inclusions and surface flaws, was used to describe the endurance limit. (orig.) [German] Es wurden Woehlerlinien unter Zug-Druck-, Torsions- sowie kombinierter phasengleicher und phasenverschobener Zug-Druck- und Torsionsbelastung fuer glatte und gekerbte Proben des Stahls 100Cr6 (SAE 52100) im bainitischen Zustand erstellt. Im Bereich der Langzeitermuedung gingen die Risse meistens von nichtmetallischen ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

High temperature components of power plants are in many cases subjected to variable loading conditions such as cyclic creep or strain cycling. Therefore the cyclic behaviour of important heat resistant steels has been investigated under stress control and to a smaller extent under strain control. The behaviour under cyclic creep rupture conditions was determined in long term experiments covering a wide range of loading conditions. This behaviour can be described with the modified life fraction rule and a factor concept of relative life for single stage cycles and additionally with a multistep hypothesis for multi-stage cycles. The description can be adapted to estimate the life consumption under service type random conditions. The strain cycling behaviour was investigated in regard to the conditions of the heated surface of large components. To simulate this type of loading and to generate long term creep fatigue data, a service type strain cycle was developed. Anisothermal and ...