Microstructure and properties of Mn–Si–Cr alloy steel modified by quenching and partitioning

Jian Gu; Dongqing Li; Shengchun Liu; Zhen Liu

doi:10.1515/mt-2023-0341

Article

Microstructure and properties of Mn–Si–Cr alloy steel modified by quenching and partitioning

Jian Gu
Jian Gu, born in 1989, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his PhD at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beijing University of Technology in 2017. His research interests mainly focus on materials processing and electric power construction related materials.
, Dongqing Li
Dongqing Li, born in 1986, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his PhD at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beihang University in 2014. His research interests mainly focus on materials processing.
, Shengchun Liu
Shengchun Liu, born in 1976, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his Master’s degree at Wuhan University. His research interests mainly focus on materials processing and electric power construction related materials.
and Zhen Liu
Zhen Liu, born in 1982, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his Master’s degree at Beijing Jiaotong University in 2013. His research interests mainly focus on material application of electric power construction.

Published/Copyright: January 29, 2024

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From the journal Materials Testing Volume 66 Issue 3

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of modification on the microstructure and properties of Mn–Si–Cr alloy steel. The results indicate that the as-cast microstructure of Mn–Si–Cr alloy steel is composed of black acicular bainitic ferrite lath and white retained austenite. The microstructure of the alloy steel changes to martensite, austenite, and carbide after quenching and partitioning treatment. After rare-earth magnesium modification and compound modification, the as-cast microstructure of Mn–Si–Cr steel becomes more refined and displays a more regular arrangement. Furthermore, the martensite and austenite grains in the modified samples show refinement, and the arrangement of martensite is more systematic. Additionally, the amount of austenite decreases, and the amount of carbides increases after quenching and partitioning heat treatment. In comparison with the unmodified samples, the modified samples show negligible changes in hardness. However, the impact toughness of modified quenched and partitioned steel increases by 20 %. Moreover, the wear resistance of compound modified quenched and partitioned steel is 38 % higher than that of the unmodified sample. The compound modified sample steel exhibits excellent wear resistance and comprehensive mechanical properties.

Keywords: Mn–Si–Cr alloy steel; modification; quenching and partitioning heat treatment process; microstructural evolution; wear resistance

Corresponding author: Jian Gu, China Electric Power Research Institute, Beijing, China, E-mail: gujian_epri@126.com

Funding source: The authors appreciate the financial support for this work from State Grid Corporation of China Headquarters Technology Project: Research on Coupling Preparation Technology Based on Matching the Characteristics of High Strength and Toughness Multiphase Steel and Thermal Diffusion Zinc Infiltration

Award Identifier / Grant number: (5108-202218280A-2-7-XG)

About the authors

Jian Gu

Jian Gu, born in 1989, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his PhD at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beijing University of Technology in 2017. His research interests mainly focus on materials processing and electric power construction related materials.

Dongqing Li

Dongqing Li, born in 1986, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his PhD at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beihang University in 2014. His research interests mainly focus on materials processing.

Shengchun Liu

Shengchun Liu, born in 1976, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his Master’s degree at Wuhan University. His research interests mainly focus on materials processing and electric power construction related materials.

Zhen Liu

Zhen Liu, born in 1982, is a senior engineer at the China Electric Power Research Institute, China. He obtained his Master’s degree at Beijing Jiaotong University in 2013. His research interests mainly focus on material application of electric power construction.

Acknowledgment

The authors appreciate the financial support for this work from State Grid Corporation of China Headquarters Technology Project: Research on Coupling Preparation Technology Based on Matching the Characteristics of High Strength and Toughness Multiphase Steel and Thermal Diffusion Zinc Infiltration (5108-202218280A-2-7-XG).

Research ethics: Not applicable.
Author contributions: The authors have has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: The authors state no conflict of interest.
Research funding: The authors appreciate the financial support for this work from State Grid Corporation of China Headquarters Technology Project: Research on Coupling Preparation Technology Based on Matching the Characteristics of High Strength and Toughness Multiphase Steel and Thermal Diffusion Zinc Infiltration (5108-202218280A-2-7-XG).
Data availability: Not applicable.

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Published Online: 2024-01-29

Published in Print: 2024-03-25

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https://doi.org/10.1515/mt-2023-0341

Keywords for this article

Mn–Si–Cr alloy steel; modification; quenching and partitioning heat treatment process; microstructural evolution; wear resistance