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Steel Committee of
Document
08/10/2012
PHYSICAL METALLURGY
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.