Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Ultrafine Microstructure of 18CrNiMo7-6 Steel Prepared by Quenching and Partitioning Combined Cryogenic Treatment

  • Technical Article
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this work, a novel heat treatment of quenching and partition (Q-P) combined cryogenic treatment (CT) was designed, to improve the mechanical properties of a 18CrNiMo7-6 steel. Based on the microstructure characterization and mechanical property testing, the effects of Q-P combined with CT on 18CrNiMo7-6 steel could be included as follows: (1) the grain size of 18CrNiMo7-6 steel after Q-P and CT could be refined from 0.31 to 0.20 μm; (2) the volume fraction of retained austenite in 18CrNiMo7-6 steel increased up to 10% and then decreased up to 6% for the transformation of unstable austenite to martensite during CT; (3) Q-P combined with CT could increase ultimate tensile strength of 18CrNiMo7-6 steel from 1560 to 1602 MPa, increase yield strength of 18CrNiMo7-6 steel from 1015 to 1280 MPa and increase total elongation of 18CrNiMo7-6 steel from 11.6 to 21.1%. Consequently, the Q–P combined with CT treatment is an effective method to refine the microstructure and improve the mechanical properties of 18CrNiMo7-6 steel.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J.Z. Wu, H.J. Liu, P.T. Wei, Q.J. Lin and S.S. Zhou, Effect of Shot Peening Coverage on Residual Stress and Surface Roughness of 18CrNiMo7-6 Steel, Int. J. Mech. Sci., 2020, 183, p 105785.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. G.T. Xu, M.F. Hao, Y.K. Qiao, Y.F. Zhang, G. Wang and M.H. Zhao, Characterization of Elastic-Plastic Properties of Surface-Modified Layers Introduced by Carburizing, Mech. Mater., 2020, 144, p 103364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. P. Fu, K. Zhan and C.H. Jiang, Micro-structure and Surface Layer Properties of 18CrNiMo7-6 Steel After Multistep Shot Peening, Mater. Des., 2013, 51, p 309–314.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. J. Speer, D.K. Matlock, B.C. De Cooman and J.G. Schroth, Carbon Partitioning into Austenite After Martensite Transformation, Acta Mater., 2003, 51, p 2611–2622.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. H.J. Pan, P. Jiang, Y. Zhang, W.P. Wu, Z.Z. Wang, Q. Wang and H.Y. Li, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Novel Nb-Mo Bearing Medium-Mn alloy Affected by Intercritical Annealing and Tempering, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2021, 802, p 140680.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. H.J. Pan, P. Jiang, Y. Zhang, W.P. Wu, Z.Z. Wang, Q. Wang and H.Y. Li, Microstructure Evolution and Enhanced Mechanical Properties of a Nb-Mo Microalloyed Medium Mn Alloy Fabricated by a Novel Cyclic Quenching Treatment, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2020, 797, p 140076.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. H.J. Pan, M.H. Cai, H. Ding, S.H. Sun, H.S. Huang and Y.S. Zhang, Ultrahigh Strength-Ductile Medium-Mn Steel Auto-Parts Combining Warm Stamping and Quenching & Partitioning, Mater. Sci. Techno., 2019, 35, p 807–814.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. H. Kong, Q. Chao, B. Rolfe and H. Beladi, One-Step Quenching and Partitioning Treatment of a Tailor Welded Blank of Boron and TRIP Steels for Automotive Applications, Mater. Des., 2019, 174, p 107799.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. M. Wang and M.X. Huang, Abnormal TRIP Effect on the Work Hardening Behavior of a Quenching and Partitioning Steel at High Strain Rate, Acta Mater., 2020, 188, p 551–559.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. D. Zou, S. Li and J. He, Temperature and Strain Rate Dependent Deformation Induced Martensitic Transformation and Flow Behavior of Quenching and Partitioning Steels, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2017, 680, p 54–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. H.J. Pan, X.Y. Li, B. Qiao, Y. Zhang, N.M. Miao, L. Liu, H. Ding and M.H. Cai, New Insights to Understand the Influence of Nb/Mo on Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance of Warm-Rolled Medium-Mn Steels, J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 2022, 31, p 3228–3233.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. N. Yan, H.S. Di, R.D.K. Misra, H.Q. Huang and Y.L. Li, Enhancing Austenite Stability in a New Medium-Mn Steel by Combining Deep Cryogenic Treatment and Intercritical Annealing: An Experimental and Theoretical Study, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2019, 753, p 11–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. S. Li, J. Li, X. Wu, C. Li and L. Tang, Experimental Verification of Segregation of Carbon and Precipitation of Carbides Due to Deep Cryogenic Treatment for Tool Steel by Internal Friction Method, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2013, 575, p 51–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. H.J. Pan, X.Y. Li, B. Qiao, N.M. Miao, F. Qi and Y. Zhang, A Medium-Mn Steel Stamped Parts Overcoming Lüders Deformation by Increasing Dislocation Density, J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 2022, 31, p 1259–1265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Q. Gao, X.S. Jiang, H.L. Sun, Y.J. Fang, D.F. Mo, X. Li and R. Shu, Effect Mechanism of Cryogenic Treatment on Ferroalloy and Nonferrous Alloy and their Weldments: A Review, Mater. Today. Commun., 2022, 33, p 104830.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. B. Che, L.W. Lu, J.L. Zhang, J.H. Zhang, M. Ma, L.F. Wang and F.G. Qi, Effects of Cryogenic Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Rolled at Different Paths, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2022, 832, p 142475.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. D.B. Park, M.Y. Huh, J.H. Shim, J.Y. Suh, K.H. Lee and W.S. Jung, Strengthening Mechanism of Hot Rolled Ti and Nb Microalloyed HSLA Steels Containing Mo and W with Various Coiling Temperature, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2013, 560, p 528–534.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. H.J. Pan, H. Ding and M.H. Cai, Microstructural Evolution and Precipitation Behavior of the Warm-Rolled Medium Mn Steels Containing Nb or Nb-Mo During Intercritical Annealing, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2018, 736, p 375–382.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. J. Hu, J.M. Zhang, G.S. Sun, L.X. Du, Y. Liu, Y. Dong and R.D.K. Misra, High Strength and Ductility Combination in Nano-/Ultrafine-Grained Medium-Mn Steel by Tuning the Stability of Reverted Austenite Involving Intercritical Annealing, J. Mater. Sci., 2019, 54, p 6565–6578.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Z.C. Li, H. Ding, R.D.K. Misra, Z.H. Cai and H.X. Li, Microstructural Evolution and Deformation Behavior in the Fe-(6,8.5) Mn-3Al-0.2C TRIP Steels, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2016, 672, p 161–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Z.C. Li, H. Ding and Z.H. Cai, Mechanical Properties and Austenite Stability in Hot-Rolled 0.2C–1.6/3.2Al-6Mn-Fe TRIP Steel, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2015, 639, p 559–566.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. J. Hu, L.X. Du, W. Xu, J.H. Zhai, Y. Dong, Y.J. Liu and R.D.K. Misra, Ensuring Combination of Strength, Ductility and Toughness in Medium Manganese Steel Through Optimization of Nano-Scale Metastable Austenite, Mater. Charact., 2018, 136, p 20–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The present work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 52204382 and 52274381), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Nos. BK20200985 and BK20220629), and the General Postdoctoral Program in China (Nos. 2021M701717 and 2022M711436), and the Fourth Batch Leading Innovative Talents Introduction and Cultivation Project of Changzhou (No. CQ20210102), the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation in China (No. 2022JJ50128), and the Scientific Research Foundation of Jiangsu Provincial Education Department, China (No. 21KJB460029).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China

    Haijun Pan, Shengpei Zhao, Bo Qiao, Xingyu Xie, Yichan Zhang, Tiantian Wei & Yongli Zhu

  2. Changzhou Vocational Institute of Industry Technology, Changzhou, 213164, China

    Dongxu Han

Authors
  1. Haijun Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shengpei Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bo Qiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xingyu Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yichan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Tiantian Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yongli Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Dongxu Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Haijun Pan or Dongxu Han.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pan, H., Zhao, S., Qiao, B. et al. Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Ultrafine Microstructure of 18CrNiMo7-6 Steel Prepared by Quenching and Partitioning Combined Cryogenic Treatment. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 32, 10236–10242 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-07863-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-07863-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation