Design of Controlled Processing Conditions for Drop Forgings Made of Microalloy Steel Grades for Mining Industry

Abstract

Effect of plastic processing and controlled cooling on microstructure and mechanical properties of experimental steel grades with microalloyed with Ti, V and/or Nb, varying in the content of Mo is presented as an offer for mining industry for replacement traditionally heat-treatable hardenability grades. The goal of the work is producing microstructure condition, which after controlled hot forging and direct heat treatment, involving quenching and self-tempering, are meant to provide good combination of mechanical properties, such as TYS 800 MPa, UTS 1050 MPa, elongation to fracture at least A5 15% and/or impact strength at room temperature KCV 60 J/cm2. Hardenability assessment and dilatometric examination allowed formulation of direct heat treatment guidelines, taking into consideration fields of temperature and strain in a typical hot forging process, estimated numerically, with the use of plastometric tests results, as well as the use of unique cooling cycles after forging.

Keywords

• microalloyed steel
• thermomechanical processing
• direct cooling
• hammer forging
• grain control