Achieving superior mechanical properties: Tailoring multicomponent microstructure in AISI 9254 spring steel through a two-stage Q&amp;P process and nanoscale carbide integration

Masoumi, Mohammad; Ariza, Edwan Anderson; Centeno, Dany; Tressia, Gustavo; Márquez-Rossy, Andrés; Poplawsky, Jonathan D.; Tschiptschin, Andre Paulo

doi:10.1016/j.matchar.2023.113523

Achieving superior mechanical properties: Tailoring multicomponent microstructure in AISI 9254 spring steel through a two-stage Q&P process and nanoscale carbide integration

Journal Article · Wed Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Materials Characterization

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2023.113523· OSTI ID:2438712

Masoumi, Mohammad ^[1]; Ariza, Edwan Anderson ^[2]; Centeno, Dany ^[3]; Tressia, Gustavo ^[4]; Márquez-Rossy, Andrés ^[5]; ^[6]; Tschiptschin, Andre Paulo ^[7]

Federal Univ. of ABC (UFABC), Santo Andre, SP (Brazil)
Universidad del Magdalena, Santa Marta (Colombia); Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira (Colombia)
Institute for Technological Research, São Paulo (Brazil)
Vale Technological Institute, Ouro Preto, MG (Brazil)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Univ. of Sao Paulo (Brazil)

In the pursuit of lightweight, durable steel, we have successfully developed a multicomponent structure in AISI 9254 spring steel using a two-stage quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process. The primary objective of this process was to engineer an optimized microstructure consisting of nanobainite, martensite, and nano-carbides. Utilizing the insights gained from the results of advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atom probe tomography (APT) performed on the as-received AISI 9254 spring steel, we refined the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) path, leading to the successful establishment of a bainitic transformation for superior mechanical properties. Our tensile tests revealed a high yield strength (≈ 1600 ± 25 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength (≈ 1850 ± 50 MPa), along with considerable elongation (≈ 11.15 ± 0.25%). We also identified that pre-formed martensite lath defects and high silicon content play crucial roles during the Q&P process, preventing carbide coalescence and increasing strain-hardening capacity. Finally, this study demonstrates the potential of a Q&P process to generate high-strength, ductile steel for automotive and aerospace applications.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2438712

Journal Information:: Materials Characterization, Journal Name: Materials Characterization Vol. 207; ISSN 1044-5803

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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