Abstract
This study investigates the utilization of cyclic heat treatment (CHT), also referred to as thermal cycling, to design microstructures in steel to achieve specific properties. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, it analyzes the influence of CHT on microstructure, strengthening mechanisms, and structure-property relationships, drawing parallels with conventional heat treatment methods. Mechanical properties are examined to establish meaningful correlations with structural modifications. The study delves into the impact of CHT parameters on microstructural changes and suggests to optimize these parameters to attain an ideal microstructure. While underscoring the potential advantages of CHT in enhancing steel’s mechanical properties, it also conscientiously acknowledges its limitations, concluding with valuable recommendations for future research and practical implementation.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
J. Payson, P. Hodapp, and W. Leeder, “The spheroidizing of steel by isothermal transformation,” Trans. Am. Soc. Met. 28, 306 (1940).
A. Mishra, C. Mondal, and J. Maity, “Microstructural modifications in AISI 1080 eutectoid steel under combined cyclic heat treatment,” Steel Res. Int. 87, 424–435 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.201500227
A. Saha, D. K. Mondal, K. Biswas, and J. Maity, “Development of high strength ductile hypereutectoid steel by cyclic heat treatment process,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 541, 204–215 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2012.02.026
J. Singh and S. K. Nath, “Effects of cyclic heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of 13% Cr–4% Ni martensitic stainless steel,” J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 29, 2478–2490 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-020-04787-w
K. Nakazawa, Y. Kawabe, and S. Muneki, “Grain refinement of high-strength maraging steels through cyclic heat treatment,” Mater. Sci. Eng. 33, 49–56 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-5416(78)90152-0
B. R. Kumar, S. Sharma, B. P. Kashyap, and N. Prabhu, “Ultrafine grained microstructure tailoring in austenitic stainless steel for enhanced plasticity,” Mater. Des. 68, 63–71 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2014.12.014
B. Kishor, G. P. Chaudhari, and S. K. Nath, “Slurry erosion behaviour of thermomechanically treated 16Cr5Ni stainless steel,” Tribol. Int. 119, 411–418 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2017.11.025
J. N. Wang, J. Yang, Q. Xia, and Yo. Wang, “On the grain size refinement of TiAl alloys by cyclic heat treatment,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 329–331, 118–123 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1016/s0921-5093(01)01543-x
J. Y. Koo and G. Thomas, “Thermal cycling treatments and microstructures for improved properties of Fe–0.12% C–0.5% Mn steels,” Mater. Sci. Eng. 24, 187–198 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-5416(76)90112-9
S. Sui, Yo. Chew, Z. Hao, F. Weng, C. Tan, Z. Du, and G. Bi, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of laser aided additive manufacturing Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo alloy,” Adv. Powder Mater. 1, 100002 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmate.2021.09.002
H.-K. Park, T.-W. Na, J. M. Park, Ya. Kim, G.‑H. Kim, B.-S. Lee, and H. G. Kim, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment on commercially pure titanium part fabricated by electron beam additive manufacturing,” J. Alloys Compd. 796, 300–306 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.04.335
U. Ravi Kiran, J. Kumar, V. Kumar, M. Sankaranarayana, G. V. S. Nageswara Rao, and T. K. Nandy, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment and swaging on mechanical properties of the tungsten heavy alloys,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 656, 256–265 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2016.01.024
A. Kościelna and W. Szkliniarz, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment parameters on the grain refinement of Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy,” Mater. Charact. 60, 1158–1162 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2009.03.008
H. Ozcan, J. Ma, S. J. Wang, I. Karaman, Y. Chumlyakov, J. Brown, and R. D. Noebe, “Effects of cyclic heat treatment and aging on superelasticity in oligocrystalline Fe–Mn–Al–Ni shape memory alloy wires,” Scr. Mater. 134, 66–70 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2017.02.023
H. Peng, L. Yong, Ya. Zuo, J. Yan, H. Wang, and Yu. Wen, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment on abnormal grain growth in Fe–Mn–Al-based shape memory alloys with different Ni contents,” J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 153, 8–21 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2022.12.059
A. Saha, D. K. Mondal, and J. Maity, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of 0.6wt% carbon steel,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 527, 4001–4007 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2010.03.003
A. Saha, D. K. Mondal, and J. Maity, “An alternate approach to accelerated spheroidization in steel by cyclic annealing,” J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 20, 114–119 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-010-9653-x
A. Saha, D. K. Mondal, K. Biswas, and J. Maity, “Microstructural modifications and changes in mechanical properties during cyclic heat treatment of 0.16% carbon steel,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 534, 465–475 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2011.11.095
J. Maity, A. Saha, D. K. Mondal, and K. Biswas, “Mechanism of accelerated spheroidization of steel during cyclic heat treatment around the upper critical temperature,” Philos. Mag. Lett. 93, 231–237 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1080/09500839.2012.758390
A. Shibata, S. Daido, D. Terada, and N. Tsuji, “Microstructures of pearlite and martensite transformed from ultrafine-grained austenite fabricated through cyclic heat treatment in medium carbon steels,” Mater. Trans. 54, 1570–1574 (2013). https://doi.org/10.2320/matertrans.mh201312
A. A. Omar, M. El-Shennawy, and O. A. Elhabib, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of C45 steel,” Int. J. Mech. Eng. 3 (5), 69–76 (2014).
Zh.-Q. Lü, H.-F. Zhang, Q. Meng, Zh.-H. Wang, and W.-T. Fu, “Effect of cyclic annealing on microstructure and mechanical properties of medium carbon steel,” J. Iron Steel Res. Int. 23, 145–150 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/s1006-706x(16)30026-7
A. R. Subhani and D. K. Mondal, “Effect of repeated austenitisation and cooling on the microstructure, hardness and tensile behaviour of 0.16 wt % carbon steel,” Arch. Metall. Mater. 63, 1141–1152 (2018). https://doi.org/10.24425/123787
A. R. Subhani, D. K. Mondal, C. Mondal, H. Roy, and J. Maity, “Development of a high-strength low-carbon steel with reasonable ductility through thermal cycling,” J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 28, 2192–2201 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-019-03969-5
J. O. Aweda, T. A. Orhadahwe, and I. O. Ohijeagbon, “Rapid cyclic heating of mild steel and its effects on microstructure and mechanical properties,” IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 413, 012016 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/413/1/012016
A. A. Adeleke, P. P. Ikubanni, T. A. Orhadahwe, J. O. Aweda, J. K. Odusote, and O. O. Agboola, “Microstructural assessment of AISI 1021 steel under rapid cyclic heat treatment process,” Results Eng. 4, 100044 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2019.100044
O. T. Aghogho, A. A. Akanni, A. J. Olayiwola, P. P. Ikubanni, and J. K. Odusote, “Microstructural image analyses of mild carbon steel subjected to a rapid cyclic heat treatment,” J. Chem. Technol. Metall. 55, 198–209 (2020).
M. He, Z. Zhentai, F. Shi, D. Guo, and J. Yu, “A novel crack healing technique in a low carbon steel by cyclic phase transformation heat treatment: The process and mechanism,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 772, 138712 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2019.138712
Z. Q. Lv, B. Wang, Z. H. Wang, S. H. Sun, and W. T. Fu, “Effect of cyclic heat treatments on spheroidizing behavior of cementite in high carbon steel,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 574, 143–148 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2013.02.059
A. Mishra, A. Saha, and J. Maity, “Microstructure evolution in AISI 1080 eutectoid steel under cyclic quenching treatment,” Metallogr., Microstructure, Anal. 4, 355–370 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-015-0222-4
A. Mishra and J. Maity, “Structure–property correlation of AISI 1080 steel subjected to cyclic quenching treatment,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 646, 169–181 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2015.08.018
A. Mishra, C. Mondal, and J. Maity, “Effect of combined cyclic heat treatment on AISI 1080 steel: Part II–Mechanical property evaluation,” Steel Res. Int. 88, 1600215 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.201600215
A. Mishra, A. Saha, and J. Maity, “Development of high strength ductile eutectoid steel through cyclic heat treatment involving incomplete austenitization followed by forced air cooling,” Mater. Charact. 114, 277–288 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2016.03.001
S. Maji, A. R. Subhani, B. K. Show, and J. Maity, “Effect of cooling rate on microstructure and mechanical properties of eutectoid steel under cyclic heat treatment,” J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 26, 3058–3070 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2779-3
S. Mishra, A. Mishra, B. K. Show, and J. Maity, “Simultaneous enhancement of ductility and strength in AISI 1080 steel through a typical cyclic heat treatment,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A 688, 262–271 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2017.02.003
H. Li, M. Han, D. Li, J. Li, and D. Xu, “Effect of cyclic heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of 50CrV4 steel,” J. Cent. S. Univ. 22, 409–415 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-015-2536-4
Z. Lv, X.-P. Ren, Zh.-H. Li, Z.-M. Lu, and M.-M. Gao, “Effects of two different cyclic heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti–V microalloyed steel,” Mater. Res. 18, 304–312 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-1439.302414
G. Saito, N. Sakaguchi, M. Ohno, K. Matsuura, M. Takeuchi, T. Sano, K. Minoguchi, and T. Yamaoka, “Effects of fine precipitates on austenite grain refinement of micro-alloyed steel during cyclic heat treatment,” ISIJ Int. 59, 2098–2104 (2019). https://doi.org/10.2355/isijinternational.isijint-2019-153
S. Ghaemifar and H. Mirzadeh, “Refinement of banded structure via thermal cycling and its effects on mechanical properties of dual phase steel,” Steel Res. Int. 89, 1700531 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.201700531
Yi. Tong, Yu-Q. Zhang, J. Zhao, G.-Zh. Quan, and W. Xiong, “Wear-resistance improvement of 65Mn low-alloy steel through adjusting grain refinement by cyclic heat treatment,” Materials 14, 7636 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14247636
B. Zhao, Yu. Wang, K. Ding, G. Wu, T. Wei, H. Pan, and Yu. Gao, “Exceptional cross-tension property in resistance spot welded 7Mn steels by combining cyclic heat treatment and intercritical annealing,” Int. J. Steel Struct. 23, 1020–1030 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-023-00748-w
N. Xiao, C. Zhang, W. Hui, H. Che, and Z. Yang, “Study of an economical and effective heat treatment method to improve the performance of gear steels,” Steel Res. Int. 94, 2300030 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202300030
J. Hidalgo and M. J. Santofimia, “Effect of prior austenite grain size refinement by thermal cycling on the microstructural features of as-quenched lath martensite,” Metall. Mater. Trans. A 47, 5288–5301 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-016-3525-4
J. Singh and S. K. Nath, “Improvement in mechanical properties and wear resistance of 13Cr–4Ni martensitic steel by cyclic heat treatment,” Trans. Indian Inst. Met. 73, 2519–2528 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12666-020-02043-2
J. Singh and S. K. Nath, “Thermal cycling effects on microstructural evolution and hardness of martensite 13 wt %Cr–4 wt % Ni steel,” in Advances in Engineering Materials, Ed. by B. P. Sharma, G. S. Rao, S. Gupta, P. Gupta, and A. Prasad, Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering (Springer, Singapore, 2021), pp. 239–246. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6029-7_23
J. Singh and S. K. Nath, “Microstructural characterization and investigation of slurry erosion performance of cyclically heat treated martensite steel,” Eng. Failure Anal. 131, 105833 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105833
J. Singh and S. K. Nath, “Dissolution of delta ferrite through cyclic treatment and its influence on the hydro abrasive erosion and mechanisms,” Tribol. Int. 161, 107056 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2021.107056
J. Singh and S. K. Nath, “Improved slurry erosion resistance of martensitic 13 wt % Cr–4 wt % Ni steel subjected to cyclic heat treatment,” Wear 460–461, 203476 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2020.203476
C. Ding, J. Liu, B. Ning, M. Huang, and H. Wu, “Enhanced strength-plasticity matching of lamellar 1 GPa-grade dual-phase steels via cyclic intercritical quenching,” J. Mater. Res. Technol. 22, 3115–3131 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.12.128
B. Ravi Kumar, B. Mahato, S. Sharma, and J. K. Sahu, “Effect of cyclic thermal process on ultrafine grain formation in AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel,” Metall. Mater. Trans. A 40, 3226–3234 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-009-0033-9
B. R. Kumar and D. Raabe, “Tensile deformation characteristics of bulk ultrafine-grained austenitic stainless steel produced by thermal cycling,” Scr. Mater. 66, 634–637 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2012.01.052
B. R. Kumar and A. Gujral, “Plastic deformation modes in mono- and bimodal-type ultrafine-grained austenitic stainless steel,” Metallogr. Microstruct. Anal. 3, 397–407 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-014-0152-6
Funding
This work was supported by ongoing university funding. No additional grants to carry out or direct this particular research were obtained.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
The authors of this work declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note.
Pleiades Publishing remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jai Singh, Nath, S.K. Enhancing Steel Properties through Microstructure Design Using Cyclic Heat Treatment: A Comprehensive Review. Phys. Metals Metallogr. 124, 1783–1794 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X23601178
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X23601178