EFFECT OF SEVERE PLASTIC DEFORMATION ON STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF AUSTENITIC AISI 316 GRADE STEEL
The article presents results of investigation of structure and properties of austenitic steel grade AISI 316 after application of Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) at the temperature of approx. 290C. The ECAP method leads to significant improvement of strength of investigated material. Investigation of structure was made by combination of TEM and FEG SEM together with EBSD. Statistic evaluation of angular disorientation and of size of grains/sub-grains was also made with use of electron diffraction (EBSD) in combination with scanning electron microscope FEG SEM Philips. It was proven that the ECAP method enables obtaining of ultra fine-grained austenitic structure. It was established with use of the EBSD technique that after 8 passes through the ECAP die the sub-grains with misorientation angles smaller than 10 formed less than 20% of the final structure. Average size of austenitic grains with high-angle boundaries after 8 passes was approx. 0.1m.
Austenite decomposition in carbon steel under dynamic deformation conditions
Purpose: The main purpose of this paper was to estimate the effect of the dynamic conditions resulting from deformation process on the austenite decomposition into ferrite and pearlite (A→F+P) in the commercial carbon steel. Design/methodology/approach: In the paper flow stress curves and microstructure of deformed steel within the range of discontinuous (austenite to pearlite) and austenite to ferrite transformation at different strain rates and cooling rates were presented. The microstructure of hot deformed samples was tested by means of an optical and electron microscopy. Findings: It was shown that the flow localization during hot deformation and preferred growth of the pearlite colonies at shear bands was very limited. The most characteristic feature of the microstructure observed for hot deformed samples was the development of carbides that nucleated along elongated ferrite grains. Research limitations/implications: In spite of intense strain hardening due to deformation and phase transformation overlapping, microstructural observation of deformed samples did not reveal significant flow localization effects or heterogeneous distribution of the eutectoid components. Therefore, complementary tests should be carried out on the steel with higher strain above the 0.5 value. Originality/value: There was no data referred to particular features of the dynamic processes, such as dynamic recrystallization and recovery, dynamic precipitation, that can occur during austenite decomposition into ferrite, and especially during discontinuous transformation of austenite to pearlite.
Influence of strain on the copper structure under controlled deformation
Purpose: One of the methods of plastic deformation under complex deformation path conditions is compression with oscillatory torsion. The observable effects in the form of changing force parameters and structure changes confirm the possibility of deformation to a value many times higher than in the case of methods traditionally applied for forming. This article presents the results of the influence of compression with oscillatory torsion on structural phenomena occurring in copper deformed in such a way. Design/methodology/approach: The examinations were conducted at a compression/oscillatory torsion test stand. The structural examinations were conducted with the use of light and electron microscopy. Findings: In experimental investigations, a reduction of unit pressures was observed when compared to conventional compression. The structural examinations indicated substantial differences in the mechanisms of plastic deformation conducted in both conventional and combined way. Research limitations/implications: There are premises which show that a metallic material of a nanometric structure can be obtained in this way (top-down method), by the accumulation of great plastic deformation. Metallic materials characterized by grain size below 100nm are distinguished by unconventional properties. Further examinations should focus on conducting experiments in a way that would enable grain size reduction to a nanometric size. This will enable the cumulation of greater deformation in the material. Originality/value: The method of compression with oscillatory torsion is an original method developed at the Silesian University of Technology, owing to which it is possible to obtain high deformation values (SPD) without risking the loss of cohesion of the material. Thorough understanding of the changes taking place in the structure of metals subjected to compression with oscillatory torsion will allow the optimal choice of process parameters in order to achieve a gradual grain size reduction.