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2nd International Symposium on Mo and Nb Alloying


in High Performance Steels
Metallurgy for More Sustainable Steels
Jeju Island, South Korea, April 25-26, 2013
Steel has for decades been the most versatile and widely used construction material for
industrial equipment, structures, buildings or vehicles. Of all industrial materials, steel has
one of the lowest emission rates during primary production. It is, simultaneously, the most
recycled material with a rate of more than 85% returned into use. Although there have been
great advances in steel technology over the last four decades, industry and consumers face
evermore serious sustainability challenges with regard to energy conservation, reduction of
CO2 emissions and a generally more efficient use of resources. The main focus in this respect
is to increase steel performance, for example strength, allowing the reduction of component
weight and improvement of durability as well as offering better manufacturing performance.
This ambition requires innovative alloying and metallurgical processing concepts. Niobium
and molybdenum are two of the most powerful alloying elements in helping to adapt
microstructures and properties to downstream manufacturing processes and enhanced enduser performance. The present symposium will focus on alloy design, processing concepts
and final properties of high performance steel and will specifically address the potential and
characteristics of niobium and molybdenum metallurgy.
Holding this symposium in South Korea is not coincidental. South Korea is one of the fastest
growing and most steel-intensive economies in the world. Over the last decades a significant
base of steel production has been installed on the peninsula, employing some of the most
powerful and modern steel producing mills. State-of-the art steelmaking is paralleled by
world-leading equipment manufactures in automotive, offshore, structural and mechanical
engineering sectors. Therefore, South Korea is the perfect proving ground for this
symposiums motto: The only alternative to steel is more sustainable steel.
Kindly hosted by the

Steel Committee of

Document

08/10/2012

2nd International Symposium on Mo and Nb Alloying


in High Performance Steels
Metallurgy for More Sustainable Steels
Jeju Island, South Korea, April 25-26, 2013

PHYSICAL METALLURGY

Effects of combining Nb and Mo in HSLA steels: From austenite conditioning to final


microstructure
N. Isasti, B. Pereda, B. Lpez, J.M. Rodriguez-Ibabe, P. Uranga, CEIT and TECNUN (University of
Navarra), Donostia-San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain
Nowadays, combinations of high strength and high toughness are required for applications such as gas
and oil transportation pipes, offshore facilities and naval technologies. Suitable combinations of
microalloying additions contribute to an increase in strength directly through microstructural
refinement, solid solution strengthening and precipitation hardening, as well as indirectly, through
enhanced hardenability and associated modification of the resultant microstructure. Nevertheless,
toughness may be impaired depending on the selected processing strategy followed to achieve the
strength requirements. In this context, Mo addition is a common practice to increase strength and
toughness in low C steels because of its effect in promoting low temperature transformation products
after hot rolling. On the other hand, the use of Nb is well known because of its availability to retard
recrystallization both by solute drag and by strain induced precipitation, which leads to pancake
austenite and after transformation, provides fine room temperature microstructures with improved
mechanical properties.
This paper shows the latest results obtained on Nb-Mo microalloyed steels carried out at CEIT. Two
main topics are covered. First, the synergetic behavior of Nb and Mo enhancing solute drag effects and
modifying recrystallization and precipitation kinetics in austenite under hot working conditions are
analysed. Then, the effect of different microalloying additions on the final phase transformations will
be exposed. In addition to composition and austenite conditioning effect on the phases formed and
corresponding CCT diagrams, a quantitative study using EBSD technique has been performed in order
to measure unit size distributions of complex microstructures. Special attention has been paid to
microstructural homogeneity and the optimization of composition/processing conditions to achieve the
best combination of fine and homogeneous microstructures.

Modelling the effect of Nb and Mo on austenite decomposition kinetics


M. Militzer, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Nb and Mo are added to an increasing number of advanced high strength low-carbon steels. In
particular, Nb and Mo can have a profound effect on austenite decomposition thereby enabling the
formation of microstructures that lead to desired property improvements. In the present work, recent
advances will be discussed of modeling solute drag by Nb and Mo that delays the austenite
decomposition. For example, an increase of the apparent austenite-ferrite interface mobility with
decreasing temperature had been concluded from continuous cooling transformation tests in linepipe
steels. This behavior can be described using a rigorous solute drag model approach. Further, first
principle simulations confirm the strong interaction of Nb and Mo with interfaces in Fe. The binding
energy of solutes to interfaces increases in a first approximation with the volume of solute atoms. An
outlook will be provided on future directions of this fundamental modeling work and its application to
advanced steel processing.

Effect of Nb, V and Mo on austenite decomposition in low carbon steels


Yong Jae Yu, Hyun Seong Noh, Jeong Min Ki and Kyung Jong Lee, Division of Material Science &
Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
It is well known that carbide-forming elements such as Nb, V and Mo in steel retard the diffusional
transformation resulting in diffusion limited transformation, while they are soluble. 0.07C-1.2Mn0.15Si( in wt%) with 0.03Nb, 0.03Nb-0.03V, 0.03Nb-0.03V-0.2Mo added steels were tested with
dilatometer by changing deformation conditions for cooling rate from 1 to 70 oC/sec. Microstructures
were analyzed by OM and SEM. The fraction of each phase was also analyzed by image analyzer,
dilatation and their 1st derivative with temperature. Thermodynamic and kinetic modeling was also
accomplished. It was confirmed that Nb, V and Mo added steels, when alloying elements were soluble,
showed the dominant acicular ferrite structure at slow cooling rates, while bainite and MA constituents
at fast cooling rates suppressing the polygonal ferrite and pearlite formation. With increasing prior
deformation in austenite as well as the smaller austenite grain size, the effect of alloying elements on
transformation hardening was weakened.

The effect of Mo additions on the development of microstructure


in hot-rolled low-carbon Nb-containing bainitic steels
Jer-Ren Yang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei,
Taiwan
Both the synergistic addition of Nb-Mo and the processing of accelerated cooling have been recognized
as advantageous factors to enhance the hardenability with respect to bainitic transformation in lowcarbon steels. The strengthening mechanism of these kinds of steel is mainly attributable to their highly
dislocated bainitic ferrite matrix. The amount of M/A constituent also has a profound effect on the
mechanical properties of the steels. In order to obtain an optimum microstructure with an excellent
combination of strength and elongation, the processing parameters should be carefully controlled. The
purposes of this study are to gain an improved appreciation of the transformation and to evaluate the
effect of structure characteristics on the properties.
In this work, three experimental steels were prepared from vacuum melt heats and cast into slabs. The
steels have the same base composition 0.05C-1.7Mn-0.08Nb (wt%); one is without Mo addition, and
the other two with 0.1 and 0.3 wt% Mo, respectively. The steel strips have been fabricated by a
combined process of controlled-rolling and accelerated-cooling. After finish-rolling at 900 (or
850), the strips were treated by accelerated cooling to 650, 550 and 450, separately, and
immediately held at this temperature for 10 min. so that the effects of the coiling at different
temperature 650, 550 and 450 can be simulated. The tempering treatments at 600 for different
time intervals ranging from 1 to 8 h have been carried out to investigate the tempered structures and
related properties. Through a series of OM, SEM, TEM and mechanical testing, the results indicate that
the steel with 0.3 Mo addition has the advantage of producing a high volume fraction of granular
bainite, which gets a significant benefit from precipitation hardening whilst increasing a great amount
of elongation after tempering treatment.

Quantitative analyses of dissolution and precipitation kinetics in


Nb-containing microalloyed steels using an electrical resistivity method
Young-Kook Lee and Jae-Gil Jung
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
The microalloying elements, such as Nb, Mo, Ti, and V, precipitate in austenite () as carbides, nitrides,
or carbonitrides during hot rolling and contribute to the mechanical properties of microalloyed steels
via grain refinement, solid solution hardening, and precipitation hardening. Residual solute elements
after hot rolling can additionally precipitate during cooling and postpone the decomposition of ,
resulting in improved mechanical properties. Therefore, it is important to quantitatively evaluate the

dissolution and precipitation kinetics during thermo-mechanical controlled process (TMCP) of


microalloyed steels for improved final mechanical properties.
In the present study, the isothermal dissolution and precipitation kinetics of carbonitrides in and
during and after ferritic transformation in various Nb-containing microalloyed steels were
quantitatively investigated through electrical resistivity measurements. The complementary
thermodynamic calculations and experiments such as hardness, dilatometry, transmission electron
microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering were also performed. The measured dissolution
kinetics helps to determine the optimal dissolution condition of the microalloyed steels. The effects of
applied strain, temperature, and alloying elements on precipitation kinetics were examined, and the
measured precipitation kinetics was compared with that measured using an interrupted compression
method. The precipitation behaviors such as nucleation site, atomic structure, chemical composition,
and size distribution of precipitates were also scrutinized.

Influence of Mo on the coarsening of (Ti,Mo)C carbide in high-strength, low-alloy steels


Dong-Woo Suh, Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology, Pohang University of Science and
Technology, Pohang, South Korea
Jae Hoon Jang, Technical Research Laboratories, POSCO, Pohang, South Korea
Precipitation of very fine TiC carbide has been actively investigated for improving mechanical
properties of hot-rolled low-alloy steels. Higher mechanical performance is attributed to the nano-sized
precipitates forming at the transformation front as austenite decomposes into ferrite. But they are prone
to coarsening also due to the fine particle size, if then the strengthening effect drastically fades out.
Therefore, it is very important to suppress the coarsening of fine carbide during subsequent thermal
processes such as coiling where the particles are exposed to high temperature.
It has been reported that the coarsening of nano-sized TiC particles can be controlled using Mo
addition by making (Ti,Mo)C as the main strengthening carbide, but the effect of Mo has not been
clear. In this presentation, we report recent progress in understanding the role of alloying elements, in
particular Mo, on the coarsening behavior of (Ti, M)C (M=Nb, V, Mo, and W) carbide in hot-rolled
steels.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATIONS

Development of steels with combined Nb+Mo additions


J. G. Speer, C. M. Enloe, K. O. Findley, and C. J. VanTyne, Advanced Steel Processing and Products
Research Center, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA
E. J. Pavlina, Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Australia
Niobium and molybdenum have been critically important alloying additions in steels for several
decades. Niobium typically contributes through careful control of niobium carbide precipitation in
austenite and ferrite, which enable grain refinement and precipitation strengthening, although solute
effects on recrystallization and transformation kinetics can also be important. Molybdenum is a
powerful hardenability agent and is extensively employed in structural steels to influence austenite
decomposition kinetics and microstructure development in many applications. Additional mechanisms
associated with these elements are also employed in some applications. Mo and Nb have been
employed together in steels, and more recent examinations suggest that interactions associated with
combined Nb plus Mo additions may provide additional enhancements beyond the separate effects of
the individual elements. This presentation will provide some perspective on a variety of such
applications where Nb+Mo interactions are considered, with a focus on selected examples from studies
at the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center at Colorado School of Mines related to
carburized gear steels, fire-resistant structural steels, HSLA automotive sheet and microalloyed plate

steels for linepipe. The focus will address physical metallurgy fundamentals such as microalloy
carbide solubility, precipitate characteristics, and coarsening behavior of the matrix and microalloy
carbides.

Development of hot rolled high strength steels by maximizing Nb-Mo precipitation effects for
heavy machinery
Young-Roc Im, POSCO, Pohang, South Korea
To meet the growing needs of heavy equipment industry for reducing fuel consumption, high strength
hot rolled steels have been developed to be used in equipment for transportation (truck, trailer), for
lifting & handling (crane, special vehicles), for construction (excavator), and for various lightweight
applications. However, the achievement of ultrahigh strength or high TSxt (tensile strength multiplied
by thickness) value in hot rolled steels is often limited by simultaneous degradation of impact
toughness. The effect of precipitation hardening elements on the strength and impact toughness of
precipitation hardening type hot rolled steels will be discussed. The properties of microstructural
hardening type martensitic/bainitic hot rolled steels will be also introduced and compared to those of
precipitation hardening type hot rolled steels.

Development of ultra high strength hot rolled steel with excellent stretch-flange formability
Seongju Kim, Kanghee Ko, Hyeonghyeop Do, Technical Research Center, Hyundai Steel Company,
Dangjin Works, South Korea
Namhyun Kang, Department of Material Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan,
South Korea
Ultra high strength hot rolled steel with excellent stretch-flange formability was developed by applying
Nb-added low carbon steel and precisely controlled hot rolling conditions. Precipitation strengthening
of the ferrite phase in low carbon steel was able to achieve high tensile strength higher than 780 MPa
and excellent hole expanding ratio higher than 80% for a 780 MPa grade steel. Introduction of low
temperature transformation phase was able to increase strength without deterioration of stretch-flange
formability and attain tensile strength higher than 980MPa with good hole expanding ratio higher than
60%. The hole expansion ratio in low carbon steel according to the morphology of hole cutting edge to
clarify the effect of microstructures on stretch-flange formability of steel was also evaluated.

The effect of low levels of molybdenum in high strength linepipe Steels


C. Stallybrass and J. Konrad, Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH, Duisburg, Germany
H. Meuser, Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech GmbH, Mlheim, Germany
Heavy plates for large diameter linepipes are produced using low-carbon microalloyed steels by
thermo-mechanical rolling. In combination with accelerated cooling, this processing strategy has made
it possible to achieve yield strength levels of 690 MPa and above in combination with attractive
technological properties. While the focus in the case of high-strength grades above the 485 MPa yield
strength level was initially on heavy plate with moderate wall thickness, improved low-temperature
toughness and weldability at higher wall thicknesses have gained significance in recent years. This
made it necessary to adapt the steel composition and the processing parameters in order to maintain the
balance of properties.
The microstructure that is obtained after accelerated cooling from the homogeneous austenite depends
on the steel composition and the cooling conditions. Alloying additions that retard the ferrite formation
are used in order to obtain a predominantly bainitic microstructure. Molybdenum is well known to be
effective especially in this respect and is therefore used frequently in high-strength line pipe grades at a
level of 0.2% or higher. However, this leads to an increase of the carbon equivalent which impairs the
weldability. In an experimental investigation that was carried out at Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung
GmbH, three laboratory heats were cast with a variation of the molybdenum content up to 0.2%.

Coupons were rolled down to a wall thickness of 25 mm followed by accelerated cooling. The plates
were characterized with regard to their microstructure, tensile properties and low-temperature
toughness. In addition, welding trials were carried out in order to assess the toughness in the heataffected zone depending on the molybdenum content. It was found that an addition of 0.1%
molybdenum already leads to a strength increase while excellent levels of low-temperature toughness
can be maintained in the base material and in the heat-affected zone.

Design of a modular alloying concept for HDG low-C DP steel, its industrial implementation and
experiences with OEM parts
V. Flaxa and T. Schulz, Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH, Salzgitter, Germany
S. Schulz, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. Salzgitter, Germany
H. Mohrbacher, NiobelCon BV, Schilde, Belgium
The application of higher strength multiphase steels in automotive body construction can significantly
contribute to an increased crash safety level and at the same time reduce body weight. However,
frequently encountered difficulties during body manufacturing due to reduced formability, enhanced
crack formation at trim edges, increased spring back or deteriorated fracture behavior of weld joints are
typically related to unfavorable microstructures. The strict limitation of the carbon content to below 0.1
wt.% across all strength classes ranging from 450 to 1000 MPa allowed the development of hot dip
galvanized dual phase steels avoiding the mentioned manufacturing difficulties. Key to the successful
development was a well-tuned addition of Nb for grain refinement in combination with Mn and Cr bulk
alloying on the one hand side and adjusted degrees of cold reduction as well as annealing and cooling
conditions on the other hand. This concept not only brings about advantages for the steel user but it
also simplifies sequencing during the production in the steel mill when producing various strength
grades. For instance the transition between two strength classes during continuous casting can be
shortened and also coil welding between continuous processes such as pickling, tandem rolling and hot
dip galvanizing becomes simpler and safer.
Extended annealing simulations were utilized to optimize the combination of alloying elements during
the design of the modular alloy concept. These were helpful to fine-tune the temperature profile with
regard to the transformation behavior, which in turn is influenced by cold reduction and chemical
composition. These simulations were performed under boundary conditions reflecting the process
parameters in the industrial annealing lines. By that approach industrial implementation became swiftly
possible. The resulting trial coils rapidly satisfied general customer demands and in particular
concerning surface quality with regard to roughness and zinc adhesion. Consequently a quick
production release by OEMs could be achieved.

High strength pipeline steels with optimized HAZ properties


S. Brauser, C. Stallybrass, W. Scheller and J. Konrad, Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH,
Duisburg, Germany
Large diameter linepipes for long-distance transport of natural gas are produced using either thick coil
or heavy plate material. The combination of high strength and excellent low-temperature toughness of
modern linepipe steels is a direct result of the thermomechanically-controlled process (TMCP), which
leads to a fine ferrite grain size after rolling. Because TMCP allowed attaining high levels of strength
by reducing the grain size, it was possible to lower the carbon content and to improve the weldability
significantly. Addition of niobium is an effective measure to inhibit recrystallization during finish
rolling, which is the key to obtaining a fine-grained microstructure. The temperature threshold below
which recrystallization is severely retarded between rolling passes depends on the level of the niobium
addition and accumulated strain. Thus, the level of the niobium content can be adjusted to each rolling
mill specifically. Double submerged arc welding during the production of large-diameter linepipes
leads to severe changes in the microstructure of the heat-affected zone (HAZ). These include grain
coarsening by more than one order of magnitude and transformation products. Because of the large
austenite grain size close to the fusion line, the phase transformation during cooling is retarded and
carbon-rich particles can form. This can have a negative effect on the toughness in the HAZ.

An experimental investigation was carried out at Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH in which
the niobium content of laboratory heats was varied between 0.02% and 0.10%. These heats were
thermomechanically rolled to a wall thickness of 25 mm and subsequently used for double-layer
submerged arc welding trials. The processing parameters during rolling and welding were held constant
over the trials in order to ensure that the effect of the alloying elements could be isolated. The fusion
line toughness was tested between -20C and -40C and the microstructure was investigated by highresolution scanning electron microscopy. It was found that high levels of toughness in the heat-affected
zone could be reached at these niobium contents.

Towards Improved Steel Alloy Designs for Control of Weld Heat Affected Zone Properties
F.J. Barbaro, Z. Zhu, L. Kuzmikova, H. Li, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
J.M. Gray, Microalloyed Steel Institute, LP, Houston, Texas, USA
This paper reviews the current technology related to control of weld HAZ properties in high strength
steels by conventional Ti microalloying. The debate related to appropriate balance of Ti and N is
addressed and it is clearly demonstrated that near stoichiometric ratios provide optimum austenite grain
size control and fracture toughness. The results are significant because despite the well-established
difficulties in controlling Ti/N ratio, this data now provides guidance in terms of alloy design
specifications to achieve optimum fracture toughness in the HAZ of welds.
The enhanced resistance to grain coarsening behavior of high Nb (up to 0.1%), low carbon HTP steels
has now provided another incremental improvement in the weldability of steels, as witnessed by the
excellent HAZ toughness and hardness results, for critical applications such as high pressure gas
transmission pipelines. The role of Mo in the alloy design of these new steels is another activity to be
undertaken in the design concepts to further improve the performance and safety of modern steel
structures.

Molybdenum in Chinas steel industry


Dong Han, Central Iron & Steel Research Institute, Beijing, China
The crude steel output of China was 683 million tons last year, accounting for almost half the total steel
output in the world. The abundant production of steels has been resulting in energy shortage, resource
lacking and environment pollution. Thus, it is urgent for Chinas steel industry to produce high
performance steels instead so as to reduce steel output and consumption.
Mo alloying is one of the essential ways to improve the performance of steels since Mo has many
favorable effects in steels such as hardenability promotion, temper embrittlement prevention, resistance
to softening or tempering, and secondary hardening, to raise elevated temperature properties, and
corrosion resistance improvement. And Mo has been widely used in many steel grades including
structural steels, stainless steels, tool steels, and so on. The paper will illustrate the latest progress in
the practice of molybdenum alloying for structural steel, machinery steel, tool and mould steel,
ultrahigh strength steel, heat resistance and corrosion resistance steels. Both solution and precipitation
of molybdenum are important to affect the transformation, and so the final microstructure and
performance. One should take care of the solution effect of molybdenum on transformation, and to
control the microstructure obtained. It is worthy to reveal more applications from the benefits of solute
Mo, such as purification of grain boundaries to avoid [H] segregation and delayed fracture.

SPECIAL STEELS, CASTINGS AND FERROALLOYS

Practical advantages of niobium and molybdenum alloying in the production and processing of
forged engineering steels
F. Hippenstiel, BGH Edelstahl Siegen GmbH, Siegen, Germany
Ever-increasing quality demands to forged engineering steels components such as windmill gearboxes
or shafts for turbo-machinery require specific modifications of the chemical composition of existing
alloys or even necessitate the development of new steel grades. The current paper mainly focuses on
the metallurgical principles of alloying niobium and molybdenum to forged case carburizing and
quench & temper steel grades. Based on selected practical examples the influence of niobium
microalloying on the grain size and the forthcoming positive consequences for alloy design, steel
production and steel processing is being worked out. Furthermore the metallurgical effect of
molybdenum in engineering steels is considered in detail. As a consequence a new alloying concept is
being presented using niobium and molybdenum alloying in combination.

The potential of steel 36NiCrMo1-5-7 in applications demanding low slip-rolling resistance and
high load carrying capacity
M. Woydt and C. Scholz, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
H. Mohrbacher, NiobelCon BV, Schilde, Belgium
Current and future CO2 targets force automotive OEMs to engage R&D efforts also in the area of
powertrain applications reducing friction by thin film coatings and new additives. Furthermore,
lightweight strategies increase the contact stresses above 2.14 GPa (or FZG load stage 14). These
demands require improved steels offering reduced coefficient of friction, resistance to high contact
pressure, and potential to apply a low friction surface coating. Traditional 100Cr6 reaches its limits;
nitrogen-alloyed steel is not widely available and expensive. Increased torque or contact pressure
pushes the oil film temperatures on the gear tooth flanks above 200C exceeding the annealing
temperature of state-of-the-art steels used in gear technology, like 16MnCr5 (1.7131), 21NiCrMo
(1.6523), 30CrMoV9 (1.7707), or similar. The real temperature on surfaces during the deposition of
thin films exceeds 180C. Higher deposition temperatures would be desired for metallurgical bonding
of thin films through diffusion. The present study investigates the slip-rolling resistance and load
carrying capacity of the molybdenum alloyed steel 36NiCrMo1-5-7 in comparison to 100Cr6 (SAE
52100) and Cronidur30 (AMS 5898; 1.4108) for contact pressures (P0max) up to 3800 MPa. Contrary to
other state-of-the-art slip-rolling steels, 36NiCrMo1-5-7 is a cost attractive alternative offering several
benefits such as:

elevated annealing temperatures above 300C favouring the application of thin film coatings,
like diamond-like carbon or Zr(C,N) without causing microstructural changes in the substrate
during deposition,
reduced friction as uncoated steel under mixed/boundary conditions,
high load carrying capacity,
straight-forward and simple heat treatment,
low wear as uncoated steel similar to thin films,
tribological compatibility with state-of-the-art lubricants.

Tailoring the microstructure for forging steels by an ICME approach


U. Prahl and W. Bleck, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Integrative Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) is a new method for efficient developing of
new materials and new processes by computer based simulation on different length scales over
different process steps. We developed ICME tools and applied them successfully for several new

concepts for forging steels. A common ICME platform that combines empirical and rigorous models
for casting, rolling, forging, machining, heat treatment, welding has been developed and evaluated for
several test cases. The platform requirements and the used simulation tools are described. Our ICME
approach have been successfully demonstrated for
(i) the development of new case hardening steels that have been microalloyed with Nb in order to meet
the requirements of clean and efficient high temperature case hardening heat treatment,
(ii) for the development of high strength and high toughness bainitic steels alloyed with Mo and Nb in
order to offer a cost efficient solution for high performance automotive power train components.
The role of the microalloying elements with respect to their impact on solid state phenomena and on
microstructure evolution as well as with respect to the requested improved component performance
will be discussed.

Technology, properties and applications of NbC reinforced iron and steel alloys
H. Mohrbacher, NiobelCon, Schilde, Belgium
D. Jarreta, Metal Prime, Singapore
The large cost and considerable downtime caused by replacing worn parts in earth moving and mining
equipment as well as in the materials processing industry represents a continuous challenge to material
development. Components designed for sacrificial wear must in first place possess adequate abrasion
resistance. Frequently, however, they must also have the ability to withstand impact and to resist
chemical attack. The requirement of good abrasion resistance in combination with good toughness is
generally in contradiction. Typically, hard iron-based materials such as martensite or ledeburite are
highly resistant to abrasion yet very brittle and difficult to machine. An innovative approach is to
compose a more ductile iron-based matrix embedding a much harder wear resistant phase. Amongst
those extremely hard phases are carbides of the transition metals Ti, Nb, and W exposing hardness of
over 2000 HV. Particularly NbC is a very interesting hard phase since its hardness is one of the highest
among the transition metals carbides and its density is very similar to that of molten iron so that gravity
segregation effects in the liquid phase are small. Volume fractions up to 35% of NbC can be formed insitu as primary carbide in the liquid phase or added externally using a FeNbC master alloy. The latter
approach is particularly applicable when higher amounts of NbC need to be added. Molybdenum
additions are important to adjust the properties of the matrix towards high toughness and good ductility.
The paper elucidates the strategies and possible technologies of achieving such composite materials
and demonstrates several examples of applications along with the achieved sustainability benefits. In
particular fundamental and tribological properties of NbC are presented.

Dissolution of FeNb in liquid steel


E. Burgos Cruz, D. Pallos Fridman, R. Contato Guimares, CBMM, Arax, MG, Brazil
M. C. Carboni, M. A. Stuart Nogueira, CBMM, So Paulo, SP, Brazil
Niobium is a well-established microalloying element for the production of HSLA steels and it is
usually added in amounts smaller than 0.10% in the form of standard ferro-niobium FeNb. The
operational practice at the melt shop as well as controlled dissolution trials in lab and industrial scale
have shown that standard ferroniobium (FeNb) dissolves very rapidly and with high recovery yields. It
was verified that the addition of FeNb requires a good control of some parameters such as deoxidation,
temperature, stirring, time and particle size. For each application CBMM produces lumpy material in a
great range of size distribution. Taking advantage of using very fine particles, recently CBMM had
developed a new briquetting process in order to agglomerate FeNb fines smaller than 2 mm to
sufficiently consolidate them for easy handling during the addition to the molten steel. This paper aims
at presenting a review of the FeNb characterization, the dissolution rate of lumpy and briquetted fines
as well as to show the mechanism of dissolution at the FeNb/steel interface.

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