Effect of temperature and time on the precipitation of <b>κ</b>-carbides in Fe–28Mn–10Al–0.8C low-density steels: Aging mechanism and its impact on material properties

Yulin Gao; Min Zhang; Rui Wang; Xinxin Zhang; Zhunli Tan; Xiaoyu Chong

doi:10.1007/s12613-024-2857-0

Volume 31 Issue 10

Oct. 2024

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2024 > 31(10): 2189-2198

Yulin Gao, Min Zhang, Rui Wang, Xinxin Zhang, Zhunli Tan, and Xiaoyu Chong, Effect of temperature and time on the precipitation of κ-carbides in Fe–28Mn–10Al–0.8C low-density steels: Aging mechanism and its impact on material properties, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 31(2024), No. 10, pp. 2189-2198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-024-2857-0

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Yulin Gao, Min Zhang, Rui Wang, Xinxin Zhang, Zhunli Tan, and Xiaoyu Chong, Effect of temperature and time on the precipitation of κ-carbides in Fe–28Mn–10Al–0.8C low-density steels: Aging mechanism and its impact on material properties, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 31(2024), No. 10, pp. 2189-2198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-024-2857-0

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Research Article

Effect of temperature and time on the precipitation of κ-carbides in Fe–28Mn–10Al–0.8C low-density steels: Aging mechanism and its impact on material properties

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Corresponding author:
Min Zhang E-mail: zhangm@bjtu.edu.cn
Received: 20 December 2023; Revised: 22 January 2024; Accepted: 22 February 2024; Available online: 23 February 2024

Abstract

Abstract

In low-density steel, κ-carbides primarily precipitate in the form of nanoscale particles within austenite grains. However, their precipitation within ferrite matrix grains has not been comprehensively explored, and the second-phase evolution mechanism during aging remains unclear. In this study, the crystallographic characteristics and morphological evolution of κ-carbides in Fe–28Mn–10Al–0.8C (wt%) low-density steel at different aging temperatures and times and the impacts of these changes on the steels’ microhardness and properties were comprehensively analyzed. Under different heat treatment conditions, intragranular κ-carbides exhibited various morphological and crystallographic characteristics, such as acicular, spherical, and short rod-like shapes. At the initial stage of aging, acicular κ-carbides primarily precipitated, accompanied by a few spherical carbides. κ-Carbides grew and coarsened with aging time, the spherical carbides were considerably reduced, and rod-like carbides coarsened. Vickers hardness testing demonstrated that the material’s hardness was affected by the volume fraction, morphology, and size of κ-carbides. Extended aging at higher temperatures led to an increase in carbide size and volume fraction, resulting in a gradual rise in hardness. During deformation, the primary mechanisms for strengthening were dislocation strengthening and second-phase strengthening. Based on these findings, potential strategies for improving material strength are proposed.
- low-density steel;
- κ-carbide;
- solution–aging treatment;
- hardness

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