Evaluation of Optimal Forging Temperature Range for an Industrial UNS S32750 SDSS Alloy Using SEM-EBSD Analysis

The deformation temperature of Super-Duplex Stainless Steels (SDSS) is a key factor defining the number of phases, their proportions, and their arrangement in space, with the main role for the hot plastic processing on the industrial scale. The main scope of the study was to determine the optimal forging temperature of UNS S32750 Super-Duplex Stainless Steel by means of the SEM-EBSD technique. The alloy was forged at different temperatures between 800 °C and 1300 °C, after which the most representative samples were analysed by SEM-EBSD. Microstructural characteristics as nature, distribution, morphology, and relative proportion of constituent phases, grain form, homogeneity, and dynamic recrystallization of the structure were analysed in relation to forging temperature. Primary phases as δ-Fe and γ-Fe were identified in all structural states of the steel, irrespective of the deformation temperature. Secondary phases σ-(Cr-Fe) and χ-(Fe-Cr-Mo), identified only under 1050 °C, have a strong negative effect on hot formability because they are fragile. The conclusion was that the optimal forging temperature range for the UNS S32750 steel is 1050–1300 °C because between these temperatures the structure is composed only of ferrite and austenite, without other harmful secondary alloy phases. Due to the dynamic recrystallization, the plasticity of the material also increases in this thermal range

Effects of Cold Rolling Deformation and Solution Treatment on Microstructural, Mechanical, and Corrosion Properties of a Biocompatible Ti-Nb-Ta-Zr Alloy

One of the most important requirements for a metallic biomaterial is the mechanical biocompatibility, which means excellent mechanical properties—high strength and fatigue strength, but low elastic modulus, to be mechanically harmonized with hard tissues. In order to improve the mechanical and biocompatible performance of the Ti-25.5Nb-4.5Ta-8.0Zr wt% alloy, the influence of cold plastic deformation and solution treatment on its properties were investigated. The Ti-25.5Nb-4.5Ta-8.0Zr wt% alloy was fabricated by melting in a cold crucible furnace (in levitation) and then subjected to several treatment schemes, which include cold rolling and different solution treatments. Microstructural and mechanical characteristics of specimens in as-cast and thermo-mechanically processed condition were determined by SEM microscopy and tensile testing, for different structural states: initial as-cast/as-received, cold rolled and solution treated at different temperatures (800, 900, and 1000 °C) and durations (5, 10, 15, and 20 min), with water quenching. It was concluded that both cold rolling and solution treatment have important positive effects on structural and mechanical properties of the biomaterial, increasing mechanical strength and decreasing the elastic modulus. Samples in different structural states were also corrosion tested and the results provided important information on determining the optimal processing scheme to obtain a high-performance biomaterial. The final processing route chosen consists of a cold rolling deformation with a total deformation degree of 60%, followed by a solution heat treatment at 900 °C with maintenance duration of 5 min and water quenching. By applying this thermo-mechanical processing scheme, the Ti-25.5Nb-4.5Ta-8.0Zr wt% alloy showed an elastic modulus of 56 GPa (5% higher than in the as-cast state), an ultimate tensile strength of 1004 MPa (41.8% higher than in the as-cast state), a yield strength of 718 MPa (40.6% higher than in the as-cast state), and increased corrosion resistance (the corrosion rate decreased by 50% compared to the as-cast state)

Evolution of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties during Cold-Rolling Deformation of a Biocompatible Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta Alloy

In this study, a Ti-32.9Nb-4.2Zr-7.5Ta (wt%) titanium alloy was produced by melting in a cold crucible induction in a levitation furnace, and then deforming by cold rolling, with progressive deformation degrees (thickness reduction), from 15% to 60%, in 15% increments. The microstructural characteristics of the specimens in as-received and cold-rolled conditions were determined by XRD and SEM microscopy, while the mechanical characteristics were obtained by tensile and microhardness testing. It was concluded that, in all cases, the Ti-32.9Nb-4.2Zr-7.5Ta (wt%) showed a bimodal microstructure consisting of Ti-β and Ti-α″ phases. Cold deformation induced significant changes in the microstructural and the mechanical properties, leading to grain-refinement, crystalline cell distortions and variations in the weight-fraction ratio of both Ti-β and Ti-α″ phases, as the applied degree of deformation increased from 15% to 60%. Changes in the mechanical properties were also observed: the strength properties (ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and microhardness) increased, while the ductility properties (fracture strain and elastic modulus) decreased, as a result of variations in the weight-fraction ratio, the crystallite size and the strain hardening induced by the progressive cold deformation in the Ti-β and Ti-α″ phases

Microstructure Evolution during Hot Deformation of UNS S32750 Super-Duplex Stainless Steel Alloy

The present paper analyzes UNS S32750 Super-Duplex Stainless Steel hot deformation behavior during processing by upsetting. The objective of this paper is to determine the optimum range of deformation temperatures, considering that both austenite and ferrite have different deformation behaviors due to their different morphology, physical, and mechanical properties. Because the capability of plastic deformation accommodation of ferrite is reduced when compared to austenite, side cracks and fissures can form during the hot deformation process. Consequently, it is important to find the optimum conditions of deformation of this type of stainless steel to establish the best processing parameters without deteriorating the material. The experimental program involved the application of hot deformation by the upsetting method on a series of samples between 1000 °C and 1275 °C, with a total degree of deformation of 30%. The resultant samples were examined by SEM-EBSD to establish and analyze the evolution of the phases present in the structure from several points of view: nature, distribution, morphology (size and shape), and their structural homogeneity. The GROD (Grain Reference Orientation Deviation) distribution map was also determined while taking into account the possible precipitation of the secondary austenite phase (γ2-phase) and the analysis of the dynamic recrystallization process according to the applied deformation temperature. The main conclusion was that UNS S32750 SDSS steel can be safely deformed by upsetting between 1050–1275 °C, with an experimented total degree of deformation of 30%

Influence of Aging Treatment on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of a Hot Deformed UNS S32750 Super Duplex Stainless Steel (SDSS) Alloy

In this present study, the influence of isothermal aging temperature and duration on microstructural and mechanical properties of a hot-deformed UNS S32750 super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) alloy was investigated by SEM-EBSD (scanning electron microscopy-electron backscatter diffraction) and tensile testing techniques. An isothermal aging treatment, at temperatures between 400 and 600 °C and treatment duration between 3 and 120 h, was applied to a commercial UNS S32750 SDSS alloy. Microstructural characteristics of all thermomechanical (TM) processed states, such as distribution and morphology of constituent phases, grain’s modal orientation (MO), and obtained mechanical properties were analysed correlated with the TM processing conditions. The obtained experimental results show that the constituent phases, in all TM processed states, are represented by elongated γ-phase grains within the δ-phase matrix. The R-phase was observed in the case of aging treatment performed at 600 °C for 120 h. Within the δ-phase matrix, dynamically recrystallized grains were identified as a result of applying hot deformation and isothermal aging treatments. Also, it was observed that aging treatment parameters can significantly influence the mechanical behaviour exhibited by the UNS S32750 SDSS alloy, in terms of elongation to fracture and absorbed energy during impact testing

Optimizing Structural and Mechanical Properties of an Industrial Ti-6246 Alloy below β-Transus Transition Temperature through Thermomechanical Processing

This study aims to investigate the effect of hot deformation on commercially available Ti-6246 alloy below its β-transus transition temperature at 900 °C, knowing that the α → β transition temperature of Ti-6246 alloy is about 935 °C. The study systematically applies a thermomechanical processing cycle, including hot rolling at 900 °C and solution and ageing treatments at various temperatures, to investigate microstructural and mechanical alterations. The solution treatments are performed at temperatures of 800 °C, 900 °C and 1000 °C, i.e., below and above the β-transus transition temperature, for 9 min, followed by oil quenching. The ageing treatment is performed at 600 °C for 6 h, followed by air quenching. Employing various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, tensile strength and microhardness testing, the research identifies crucial changes in the alloy’s constituent phases and morphology during thermomechanical processing. In solution treatment conditions, it was found that at temperatures of 800 °C and 900 °C, the α′-Ti martensite phase was generated in the primary α-Ti phase according to Burger’s relation, but the recrystallization process was preferred at a temperature of 900 °C, while at a temperature of 1000 °C, the α″-Ti martensite phase was generated in the primary β-Ti phase according to Burger’s relation. The ageing treatment conditions cause the α′-Ti/α″-Ti martensite phases to revert to their α-Ti/β-Ti primary phases. The mechanical properties, in terms of strength and ductility, underwent an important beneficial evolution when applying solution treatment, followed by ageing treatment, which provided an optimal mixture of strength and ductility. This paper provides engineers with the opportunity to understand the mechanical performance of Ti-6246 alloy under applied stresses and to improve its applications by designing highly efficient components, particularly military engine components, ultimately contributing to advances in technology and materials science