A comprehensive quantitative characterisation of the multiphase microstructure of a thick-section high strength steel
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract The through-thickness heterogeneous microstructure of thick-section high strength steels is responsible for the significant scatter of properties along the thickness. In this study, in order to identify the critical microstructural features in the fracture behaviour and allow for design optimisation and prediction of structural failure, the through-thickness microstructure of thick-section steels was extensively characterised and quantified. For this purpose, samples were extracted from the top quarter and middle thickness positions, and a combination of techniques including chemical composition analysis, dilatometry, and microscopy was used. The hardness variation through the thickness was analysed via micro-Vickers measurements and the local hardness variation in the middle section was studied via nanoindentation. The middle section presented larger prior austenite grain (PAG) sizes and larger sizes and area fraction of inclusions than the top section. Additionally, cubic inclusions were observed distributed as clusters in the middle, sometimes decorating PAG boundaries. Defects associated with the cubic inclusions or the interface between the matrix and the circular and cubic inclusions were observed in the mid-thickness. Moreover, the middle section presented long interfaces with the most significant hardness gradients due to the presence of hard centreline segregation bands. Hence, the microstructural and nanoindentation analyses indicated the middle section as the most likely area to have the lowest fracture toughness and, therefore, the most unfavourable section for fracture performance of the investigated S690QL high strength steel. The detrimental effect of the middle section was confirmed via CTOD tests where the middle presents lower fracture toughness than the top section.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Steels · Hydrogen embrittlement and corrosion behaviors in metals · Metal Alloys Wear and Properties
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (59)
Show source-provided references
1. Popovich V, Richardson IM (2015) Fracture toughness of welded thick section high strength steels. In: TMS 2015 144th annual meeting & exhibition: supplemental proceedings. Springer International Publishing: Cham, pp 1031–1038. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119093466.ch12510.1002/9781119093466.ch125 ↗
2. Wang Q, Ye Q, Wang Z et al (2020) Thickness effect on microstructure, strength, and toughness of a quenched and tempered 178 mm thickness steel plate. Metals (Basel) 10:1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/met1005057210.3390/met10050572 ↗
3. Bertolo VM, Jiang Q, Walters CL, Popovich VA (2020) Effect of microstructure on cleavage fracture of thick-section quenched and tempered S690 high-strength steel. In: Characterizaton of minerals, metals and materials 2020. San Diego, pp 155–16810.1007/978-3-030-36628-5_15 ↗
4. Liu H, Zhang H, Li J (2018) Thickness dependence of toughness in ultra-heavy low-alloyed steel plate after quenching and tempering. Metals (Basel). 8:1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/met808062810.3390/met8080628 ↗
5. Moore P, Yordanova B, Lu Y, Janin YJ (2019) Influence of microstructural variation in thick section steels on the characterisation of fracture toughness using sub-size specimens. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2019 38th international conference on ocean, offshore and arctic engineering OMAE 2019. https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2019-9601010.1115/OMAE2019-96010 ↗
6. Wallin K (2015) Master curve analysis of ductile to brittle transition region fracture toughness round robin data. The " EURO " fracture toughness curve. Tech. Res. Cent. Finland, VTT Publ. 367
7. Andrieu A, Pineau A, Besson J et al (2012) Beremin model: methodology and application to the prediction of the Euro toughness data set. Eng Fract Mech 95:102–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENGFRACMECH.2011.10.01910.1016/J.ENGFRACMECH.2011.10.019 ↗
8. Pineau A (2006) Development of the local approach to fracture over the past 25 years: theory and applications. Int J Fract 138:139–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-006-0035-110.1007/s10704-006-0035-1 ↗
9. Jiang Q, Bertolo VM, Popovich VA, Walters CL (2019) Recent developments and challenges of cleavage fracture modelling in steels: aspects on microstructural mechanics and local approach methods. In: Proceedings of the ASME 2019 38th international conference on ocean, offshore and arctic engineering OMAE 2019. https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2019-9546410.1115/OMAE2019-95464 ↗
10. Lin T, Evans AG, Ritchie RO (1986) A statistical model of brittle fracture by transgranular cleavage. J Mech Phys Solids 34:477–497. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-5096(86)90013-X10.1016/0022-5096(86)90013-X ↗
11. Martín-Meizoso A, Ocaña-Arizcorreta I, Gil-Sevillano J, Fuentes-Pérez M (1994) Modelling cleavage fracture of bainitic steels. Acta Metall Mater 42:2057–2068. https://doi.org/10.1016/0956-7151(94)90031-010.1016/0956-7151(94)90031-0 ↗
12. Kroon M, Faleskog J (2005) Micromechanics of cleavage fracture initiation in ferritic steels by carbide cracking. J Mech Phys Solids 53:171–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JMPS.2004.05.00810.1016/J.JMPS.2004.05.008 ↗
13. Chen JH, Li G, Cao R, Fang XY (2010) Micromechanism of cleavage fracture at the lower shelf transition temperatures of a C – Mn steel. Mater Sci Eng A 527:5044–5054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2010.04.06310.1016/j.msea.2010.04.063 ↗
14. Navarro-López A, Hidalgo J, Sietsma J, Santofimia MJ (2017) Characterization of bainitic/martensitic structures formed in isothermal treatments below the Ms temperature. Mater Charact 128:248–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2017.04.00710.1016/j.matchar.2017.04.007 ↗
15. Papaefthymiou S, Banis A, Bouzouni M, Petrov RH (2019) Effect of ultra-fast heat treatment on the subsequent formation of mixed martensitic/bainitic microstructure with carbides in a CrMo medium. Metals (Basel) 9:1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/met903031210.3390/met9030312 ↗
16. Petrov R, Kestens L, Wasilkowska A, Houbaert Y (2007) Microstructure and texture of a lightly deformed TRIP-assisted steel characterized by means of the EBSD technique. Mater Sci Eng A 447:285–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2006.10.02310.1016/j.msea.2006.10.023 ↗
17. Zhu K, Barbier D, Iung T (2012) Characterization and quantification methods of complex BCC matrix microstructures in advanced high strength steels. J Mater Sci. 48:413–423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6756-910.1007/s10853-012-6756-9 ↗
18. Chang Y, Lin M, Hangen U et al (2021) Revealing the relation between microstructural heterogeneities and local mechanical properties of complex-phase steel by correlative electron microscopy and nanoindentation characterization. Mater Des 203:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.10962010.1016/j.matdes.2021.109620 ↗
19. Baltazar Hernandez VH, Panda SK, Kuntz ML, Zhou Y (2010) Nanoindentation and microstructure analysis of resistance spot welded dual phase steel. Mater Lett 64:207–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2009.10.04010.1016/j.matlet.2009.10.040 ↗
20. Busby JT, Hash MC, Was GS (2005) The relationship between hardness and yield stress in irradiated austenitic and ferritic steels. J Nucl Mater 336:267–278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2004.09.02410.1016/j.jnucmat.2004.09.024 ↗
21. Ariza-Echeverri EA, Masoumi M, Nishikawa AS et al (2020) Development of a new generation of quench and partitioning steels: Influence of processing parameters on texture, nanoindentation, and mechanical properties. Mater Des 186:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2019.10832910.1016/j.matdes.2019.108329 ↗
22. Hidalgo J, Celada-Casero C, Santofimia MJ (2019) Fracture mechanisms and microstructure in a medium Mn quenching and partitioning steel exhibiting macrosegregation. Mater Sci Eng A 754:766–777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2019.03.05510.1016/j.msea.2019.03.055 ↗
23. Lee SG, Kim B, Sohn SS et al (2019) Effects of local-brittle-zone (LBZ) microstructures on crack initiation and propagation in three Mo-added high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels. Mater Sci Eng A 760:125–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2019.05.12010.1016/j.msea.2019.05.120 ↗
24. Jiang Q, Bertolo VM, Popovich VA, et al (2021) Relating matrix stress to local stress on a hard microstructural inclusion for understanding cleavage fracture in high strength steel. Int J Fract 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-021-00587-y10.1007/s10704-021-00587-y ↗
25. CEN (2019) NEN-EN 10025-6: Hot rolled products of structural steels—Part 6: technical delivery conditions for flat products of high yield strength structural steels in the quenched and tempered condition
26. ASTM International (2016) ASTM E1245-03: standard practice for determining the inclusion or second-phase constituent content of metals by automatic image analysis. https://doi.org/10.1520/E1245-03R08.210.1520/E1245-03R08.2 ↗
27. Hesamodin Talebi S, Ghasemi-Nanesa H, Jahazi M, Melkonyan H (2017) In situ study of phase transformations during non-isothermal tempering of bainitic and martensitic microstructures. Metals (Basel) 7:1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/met709034610.3390/met7090346 ↗
28. Sente Software JMatPro® API
29. Cayron C (2007) ARPGE: a computer program to automatically reconstruct the parent grains from electron backscatter diffraction data. J Appl Crystallogr 40:1183–1188. https://doi.org/10.1107/S002188980704877710.1107/S0021889807048777 ↗
30. ASTM International (2012) ASTM E112-13 Standard test methods for determining average grain size. ASTM Int 1–27
31. Rodríguez R, Gutierrez I (2003) Correlation between nanoindentation and tensile properties Influence of the indentation size effect. Mater Sci Eng 361:377–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-5093(03)00563-X10.1016/S0921-5093(03)00563-X ↗
32. Oliver WC, Pharr GM (1992) An improved technique for determining hardness and elastic modulus using load and displacement sensing indentation experiments. J Mater Res 7:1564–1583. https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1992.156410.1557/JMR.1992.1564 ↗
33. ISO (2018) ISO 12135: metallic materials—unifed method of test for the determination of quasistatic fracture toughess. 2016
34. Canale LCF, Vatavuk J, Totten GE (2014) 12.02—Introduction to steel heat treatment. In: Hashmi S, Batalha GF, Van Tyne CJ, Yilbas B (eds) Comprehensive materials processing. Elsevier, Oxford, pp 3–3710.1016/B978-0-08-096532-1.01202-4 ↗
35. Feng R, Li S, Zhu X, Ao Q (2015) Microstructural characterization and formation mechanism of abnormal segregation band of hot rolled ferrite/pearlite steel. J Alloys Compd 646:787–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2015.05.12810.1016/j.jallcom.2015.05.128 ↗
36. Guo F, Liu W, Wang X et al (2019) Controlling variability in mechanical properties of plates by reducing centerline segregation to meet strain-based design of pipeline steel. Metals (Basel) 9:1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/met907074910.3390/met9070749 ↗
37. Suikkanen PP, Ristola A, Hirvi AM et al (2013) Effects of carbon content and cooling path on the microstructure and properties of TRIP-aided ultra-high strength steels. ISIJ Int 53:337–346. https://doi.org/10.2355/isijinternational.53.33710.2355/isijinternational.53.337 ↗
38. van Bohemen SMC (2012) Bainite and martensite start temperature calculated with exponential carbon dependence. Mater Sci Technol 28:487–495. https://doi.org/10.1179/1743284711Y.000000009710.1179/1743284711Y.0000000097 ↗
39. Takayama N, Miyamoto G, Furuhara T (2012) Effects of transformation temperature on variant pairing of bainitic ferrite in low carbon steel. Acta Mater 60:2387–2396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2011.12.01810.1016/j.actamat.2011.12.018 ↗
40. Papaefthymiou S, Bouzouni M, Petrov RH (2018) Study of carbide dissolution and austenite formation during ultra-fast heating in medium carbon chromium molybdenum steel. Metals (Basel) 8:1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/met808064610.3390/met8080646 ↗
41. Tsuchiyama T, Natori M, Nakada N, Takaki S (2010) Conditions for grain boundary bulging during tempering of lath martensite in ultra-low carbon steel. ISIJ Int 50:771–773. https://doi.org/10.2355/isijinternational.50.77110.2355/isijinternational.50.771 ↗
42. Bhadeshia H, Honeycombe R (2017) Steels: microstructure and properties, 4th edn. Butterworth-Heinemann
43. Nagode A, Resnik A, Vertnik R et al (2017) The development of a banded microstructure in S355J2 steel bar. Kov Mater 55:51–56. https://doi.org/10.4149/km201710.4149/km2017 ↗
44. Choi W, Matsuura H, Tsukihashi F (2013) Effect of nitrogen on the formation and evolution of non-metallic inclusions in Fe–Al–Ti–N alloy. ISIJ Int 53:2007–2012. https://doi.org/10.2355/isijinternational.53.200710.2355/isijinternational.53.2007 ↗
45. Subramanian SV, Xiaoping M, Wenjin N, Xiaobing Z (2015) Application of nano-scale precipitate engineering of TiN-NbC composite in 32 mm K60-E2 grade plate rolling. In: HSLA steels 2015, microalloying 2015 & offshore engineering steels. pp 211–22110.1002/9781119223399.ch21 ↗
46. da Costa e Silva ALV (2019) The effects of non-metallic inclusions on properties relevant to the performance of steel in structural and mechanical applications. J Mater Res Technol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.01.00910.1016/j.jmrt.2019.01.009 ↗
47. Mandal SK (2015) Steel metallurgy—properties, specifications, applications. McGraw-Hill
48. Morris Jr JW (2001) The influence of grain size on the mechanical properties of steel. In: International symposium on ultrafine grained steels. Fukuoka10.2172/861397 ↗
49. Morris JW Jr, Kinney C, Pytlewski K, Adachi Y (2013) Microstructure and cleavage in lath martensitic steels. Sci Technol Adv Mater 14:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1088/1468-6996/14/1/01420810.1088/1468-6996/14/1/014208 ↗
50. Prawoto Y, Jasmawati N, Sumeru K (2012) Effect of prior austenite grain size on the morphology and mechanical properties of martensite in medium carbon steel. J Mater Sci Technol 28:461–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1005-0302(12)60083-810.1016/S1005-0302(12)60083-8 ↗
51. Rancel L, Gómez M, Medina SF, Gutierrez I (2011) Measurement of bainite packet size and its influence on cleavage fracture in a medium carbon bainitic steel. Mater Sci Eng A 530:21–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2011.09.00110.1016/j.msea.2011.09.001 ↗
52. Wang C, Wang M, Shi J et al (2007) Effect of microstructure refinement on the strength and toughness of low alloy martensitic steel. J Mater Sci Technol 23:659–664
53. Wang BIN, Wang Z, Wang B-X et al (2015) The relationship between microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of heavy plate of low-Mn steel during ultra fast cooling. Metall Mater Trans A 46A:2834–2843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-015-2933-110.1007/s11661-015-2933-1 ↗
54. Cahn JW (1962) The impurity-drag effect in grain boundary motion. Acta Metall 10:789–798. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-6160(62)90092-510.1016/0001-6160(62)90092-5 ↗
55. Reiter J, Bernhard C, Presslinger H (2008) Austenite grain size in the continuous casting process: metallographic methods and evaluation. Mater Charact 59:737–746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2007.06.00310.1016/j.matchar.2007.06.003 ↗
56. Li H, Gao S, Tian Y et al (2015) Influence of tempering on mechanical properties of ferrite and martensite dual phase steel. In: International conference on martensitic transformations, ICOMAT-2014. pp S667–S671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2015.07.37210.1016/j.matpr.2015.07.372 ↗
57. Chen JH, Cao R (2015) Micromechanism of cleavage fracture of metals. Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston
58. Griffith AA (1920) The phenomena of rupture and flow in solids. Philos Trans R Soc A Math Phys Eng Sci C:163–19810.1098/rsta.1921.0006 ↗
59. Ghosh A, Ray A, Chakrabarti D, Davis CL (2013) Cleavage initiation in steel: competition between large grains and large particles. Mater Sci Eng A 561:126–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2012.11.01910.1016/j.msea.2012.11.019 ↗