Precipitation behavior of κ-carbides and its relationship with mechanical properties of Fe–Mn–Al–C lightweight austenitic steel

P. Chen; F. Zhang; Q.C. Zhang; J.H. Du; F. Shi; X.W. Li

Journal of Materials Research and Technology (Jul 2023)

Precipitation behavior of κ-carbides and its relationship with mechanical properties of Fe–Mn–Al–C lightweight austenitic steel

P. Chen,
F. Zhang,
Q.C. Zhang,
J.H. Du,
F. Shi,
X.W. Li

Affiliations

P. Chen: Department of Materials Physics and Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
F. Zhang: Department of Materials Physics and Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
Q.C. Zhang: Department of Materials Physics and Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
J.H. Du: Department of Materials Physics and Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
F. Shi: Department of Materials Physics and Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
X.W. Li: Department of Materials Physics and Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; State Key Laboratory of Rolling and Automation, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China; Corresponding author. Department of Materials Physics and Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 25
pp. 3780 – 3788

Abstract

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The effects of the aging process on the κ-carbide precipitation behavior and thus on the mechanical properties of an Fe-30.5Mn–8Al-1.0C lightweight austenitic steel were experimentally studied. The morphology of intragranular κ-carbide precipitation evolved from spherical to cuboidal and then to rectangular with increasing aging temperature and time, and intergranular κ-carbides precipitate in the high-temperature-aged steels and exhibit lath-like and lamellar morphologies. For steels with intragranular κ-carbide precipitation, the yield strength becomes significantly improved with the persisting aging owing to the enhanced dislocation shearing strengthening via κ-carbide growth, and the increase in yield strength exceeded the contribution of work hardening. Intergranular precipitation in higher-temperature-aged steel has a negative effect on the strength and ductility; it partly counteracts the strength increase due to intragranular precipitation. In summary, the studied steel aged at 550 °C for 1–2 h exhibited a better strength–ductility match.

Published in Journal of Materials Research and Technology

ISSN: 2238-7854 (Print); 2214-0697 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Technology: Mining engineering. Metallurgy
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-materials-research-and-technology/

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