Effect of Nitrogen Addition on Tempering and Strain Aging Processes of Thermomechanically Strengthened Structural Steels

Mechanical behavior of structural nitrogen-containing steels with various structures and compositions, including the same steels with different summary C+N content and C/N ratio were studied using pressing tests in a wide temperature range, tensile tests, impact bending tests, hardness measurements and shock-wave loading resistance. The tempering and aging under load processes after quenching or thermomechanical treatment with various regimes have been investigated using optical and electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction analysis, calorimetric and dilatometric analyses. Hot strain resistance of the austenite is determined essentially by the steel composition, while the final structure and mechanical properties of hot-deformed austenite are determine mainly by hot deformation conditions. The higher the nitrogen content and C/N ratio, the higher hot strain resistance was and earlier the softening processes start, especially recrystallization process. The nitrogen microalloying of low-alloyed structural steels changes kinetics of the martensite tempering. Application of the high temperature thermomechanical treatment or combined thermomechanical strengthening with following tempering under load allows the use of these steels in a high-strength state after low-temperature tempering.

Hot Strain Diagrams, Strengthening and Recrystallization of Nitrogen Alloyed Steels

Kinetics of deformation strengthening, polygonization and recrystallization processes have been studied, effects of alloying by nitrogen, combined carbon and nitrogen as well as by various other elements (Cr, Mo, Ni, Mn, V etc.) have been estimated for steels of different compositions and applications. Strain diagrams and structure state maps for the studied steels are presented. Strain diagram shape and attainable hot strength depend on the deformation conditions and basic alloying which determine strain hardening and diffusional processes of post-deformation softening. Alloying by nitrogen increases hot and cold strain hardening and retards recrystallization. Maximum strengthening obtained by cold deformation is accompanied by lowering of ductility and fracture toughness. Hence, it is applicable mainly to the austenitic steels. Nitrogen alloying enhances the austenite stability against g ® a transformation and consequently allows extending a composition range of steels which can be strengthened by cold deformation with large strains. The high-temperature thermomechanical treatment is more effective as a treatment improving a combination of mechanical properties. The schemes and regimes of thermomechanical strengthening treatments are proposed for low- and high- nitrogen containing steels of various structure classes.