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Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels
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Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Metals and Alloys".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2025) | Viewed by 10181

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Guang Xu

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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
Interests: high-strength steels; microstructure and properties; wear performance; heat treatment; processing
Dr. Man Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Refractories and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
Interests: microstructure and property; phase transformation; strengthening mechanism; bainite steel; quenching-partitioning steel

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As concerns over low carbon emissions and fuel saving have become more prominent, the development of high/ultra-high strength steels is of great significance. The third generation of advanced high-strength steels, such as nano-structure bainite steel, Q&P steel and medium manganese steel, have been designed to provide an improved combination of strength and ductility and some are increasingly applied in industrial production. Investigations into the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear performance of high-strength steels have been widely conducted. However, advanced high-strength steels still face some challenges. For example, the improvement of mechanical properties normally requires the addition of expensive alloying elements. Going forward, research on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear performance of high-strength steels should be intensified in order to maximize strength and ductility as well as wear performance and promote industrial production.

Research articles, communications and reviews are all welcome. Topics in this Special Issue may include, but are not limited to:

  • optimization of chemical composition;
  • new processing technology;
  • novel heat treatments;
  • microstructural characterization;
  • strengthening mechanisms;
  • wear mechanisms;
  • industrial application.

Prof. Dr. Guang Xu
Dr. Man Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mechanical property
  • wear performance
  • microstructure
  • heat treatments
  • numerical simulation
  • application

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 23151 KiB  
Article
Controlling M-A Constituents and Bainite Morphology for Enhanced Toughness in Isothermally Transformed Low-Carbon Ni-Cr-Mo Steel
by Guang Ji, Dianfu Fu, Guangyuan Wang, Kaihao Guo, Xiaobing Luo, Feng Chai and Tao Pan
Materials 2025, 18(9), 1945; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18091945 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 166
Abstract
The isothermal bainitic transformation kinetics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the quenched low-carbon high-strength steel have been investigated via dilatometric measurements, microstructural characterization, and mechanical tests. The results show that the pre-transformed isothermal bainite promotes martensitic transformation, increasing the martensitic transformation temperature, and [...] Read more.
The isothermal bainitic transformation kinetics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the quenched low-carbon high-strength steel have been investigated via dilatometric measurements, microstructural characterization, and mechanical tests. The results show that the pre-transformed isothermal bainite promotes martensitic transformation, increasing the martensitic transformation temperature, and enhancing the transformation rate. The microstructure of the 400 °C isothermal steel consists predominantly of lath bainite ferrite with dot/slender M-A constituents, whereas the steel treated at 450 °C contains a combination of martensite/lath bainite and granular bainite. The presence of massive M-A constituents contributes to brittle fracture as these constituents tend to promote crack initiation. Hence, the 450 °C treatment, which leads to the formation of massive M-A constituents, induces brittleness, while the finer M-A constituents formed at 400 °C exert minimal influence on the toughness and result in a more stable microstructure owing to their small size and the surrounding fine lath microstructure. The differences in microstructure and properties between the steels treated at 400 °C and 450 °C illustrate the importance of controlling the quenching cooling rate in the high-temperature bainitic transformation region during thick plate quenching processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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18 pages, 6232 KiB  
Article
Effect of Quenching Temperature on Microstructure and Hydrogen-Induced Cracking Susceptibility in S355 Steel
by Chunyan Yan, Shenglin Zhang, Lingchuan Zhou, Zhanpeng Tian, Mengdie Shen and Xinyi Liu
Materials 2025, 18(5), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051161 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
S355 steels are widely used in various applications. However, they may be affected by hydrogen, which can induce hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC). The effects of the quenching temperature (Twq) on the microstructure variation and HIC susceptibility of S355 steel was investigated [...] Read more.
S355 steels are widely used in various applications. However, they may be affected by hydrogen, which can induce hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC). The effects of the quenching temperature (Twq) on the microstructure variation and HIC susceptibility of S355 steel was investigated by microstructural characterization, hydrogen permeation (HP) test, slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) test, hydrogen microprint technique (HMT) test, and hydrogen-charged cracking test. The results indicate that the microstructure of the treated specimens consisted of predominantly lath martensite (LM) and small amounts of lath bainite (LB) for the Twq of 950 °C and 1000 °C, while the microstructure of the treated specimens mainly consisted of LM for the Twq of 1050 °C and 1100 °C. The results indicate that as the Twq increased, the sample treated at 950 °C exhibited a minimum hydrogen embrittlement index (Iz), while the sample treated at 1050 °C exhibited the maximum Iz. The hydrogen diffusion coefficient was relatively low, while the hydrogen concentration and trap density were relatively high for the Twq of 1050 °C. The lath interfaces in martensite were effective hydrogen traps with high hydrogen-trapping efficiency. Hydrogen-induced cracks were significantly affected by hydrogen trapping at martensitic lath interfaces, exhibiting a basically transgranular fracture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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13 pages, 5645 KiB  
Article
Austenite Growth Behavior and Prediction Modeling of Ti Microalloyed Steel
by Jun Wang, Man Liu, Lifan Wang, Ping He, Haijiang Hu and Guang Xu
Materials 2024, 17(13), 3236; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133236 - 1 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 935
Abstract
Previous studies on the austenite grain growth were mostly based on a fixed temperature, and the relationship between the austenite grain and austenitizing parameters was fitted according to the results. However, there is a lack of quantitative research on the austenite grain growth [...] Read more.
Previous studies on the austenite grain growth were mostly based on a fixed temperature, and the relationship between the austenite grain and austenitizing parameters was fitted according to the results. However, there is a lack of quantitative research on the austenite grain growth during the heating process. In the present work, based on the diffusion principle of the controlled Ti microalloying element, the diffusion process of carbonitrides containing Ti during the heating process was analyzed. Combined with the precipitation model and the austenite growth model, the prediction model of austenite grain growth of Ti microalloyed steel during different heat treatment processes was established. The austenite grain size versus the temperature at four different heating rates of 0.5, 1, 10, 100 °C/s was calculated. The grain growth behavior of austenite during the heating process of Ti microalloyed steel was studied by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The experimental data of the austenite grain size was in good agreement with the calculation by the proposed model, which provides a new idea for the prediction of austenite grain size in non-equilibrium state during the heating process. In addition, for Ti-containing microalloyed steels, the austenite grain size increased with the increasing heating temperature, while it changed little by further prolonging isothermal time after certain heating time, which was related to the equilibrium degree of the precipitation and the dissolution of Ti element. The austenite grain coarsening temperature of the tested Ti microalloyed steel was estimated within 1100~1200 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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16 pages, 7517 KiB  
Article
Residual Stress Evaluation in L-PBF-Produced SS 316L Specimens
by Matúš Geľatko, Michal Hatala, František Botko and Radoslav Vandžura
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102270 - 11 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1057
Abstract
The identification of residual stresses (RS) in components made by selective laser melting (SLM) is necessary for subsequent technological optimization. The presented research is devoted to evaluating the influence of the combination of laser power (P), scanning velocity (v) and the rarely considered [...] Read more.
The identification of residual stresses (RS) in components made by selective laser melting (SLM) is necessary for subsequent technological optimization. The presented research is devoted to evaluating the influence of the combination of laser power (P), scanning velocity (v) and the rarely considered number of layers (nL) on surface residual stresses in SLM stainless steel SS 316L. Experimental parameters were set based on the Design of Experiment (DoE) method, with follow-up X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and data processing using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. The obtained data are a valuable stepping-stone for the subsequent design of research focused on the application of sustainable eco-friendly Abrasive Water Jet (AWJ) peening for RS modification in the evaluated material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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18 pages, 11760 KiB  
Article
Sintered Brake Pads Failure in High-Energy Dissipation Braking Tests: A Post-Mortem Mechanical and Microstructural Analysis
by Alexandre Mege-Revil, Jessie Rapontchombo-Omanda, Itziar Serrano-Munoz, Anne-Lise Cristol, Vincent Magnier and Philippe Dufrenoy
Materials 2023, 16(21), 7006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16217006 - 1 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
The industrial sintering process used to produce metallic matrix pads has been altered to diminish the amount of copper used. Unfortunately, replacing a large part of the copper with iron seems to have reached a limit. In the high-energy, emergency-type rail braking used [...] Read more.
The industrial sintering process used to produce metallic matrix pads has been altered to diminish the amount of copper used. Unfortunately, replacing a large part of the copper with iron seems to have reached a limit. In the high-energy, emergency-type rail braking used in this study, the materials are put to the very limit of their usage capacity, allowing us to observe the evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of sintered, metallic matrix pads. After the braking test, their compressive behaviour was assessed using digital image correlation (DIC), and their microstructure with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The worn material has three flat layers with different microstructures and compressive behaviours. The bottom layer seems unmodified. Macroscopic and microscopic cracks run through the intermediate layer (2–15 mm depth). The top layer has stiffened thanks to resolidification of copper. The temperature reaches 1000 °C during the braking test, which also explains the carbon diffusion into iron that result in the weakening of iron –graphite interfaces in the pad. Finally, submicronic particles are detected at many open interfaces of the worn and compressed pad. Associated with the predominant role of graphite particles, this explains the weak compressive behaviour of the pads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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12 pages, 8087 KiB  
Article
The Evolution of a Microstructure during Tempering and Its Influence on the Mechanical Properties of AerMet 100 Steel
by Hongli Wang, Jian Zhang, Jingtao Huang, Chengchuan Wu, Xianguang Zhang, Zhonghong Lai, Yong Liu and Jingchuan Zhu
Materials 2023, 16(21), 6907; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16216907 - 27 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1676
Abstract
In order to provide guidance for furthering the balance of strength and toughness of AerMet 100 steel through tempering treatment, the effects of the tempering time on microstructure and mechanical properties are investigated. The microstructure evolution, especially M2C precipitates and austenite [...] Read more.
In order to provide guidance for furthering the balance of strength and toughness of AerMet 100 steel through tempering treatment, the effects of the tempering time on microstructure and mechanical properties are investigated. The microstructure evolution, especially M2C precipitates and austenite in AerMet 100 tempered at 482 °C for 1~20 h, was characterized, and its influences on the mechanical properties were studied. The tensile strength decreases gradually, the yield strength increases first and then decreases, and the fracture toughness KIC increases gradually with an increasing tempering time. The strength and toughness matching of AerMet 100 steel is achieved by tempering at 482 °C for 5~7 h. Without considering the martensitic size effect, the influence of the dislocation density on the tensile strength is more significant during tempering at 482 °C. The precipitation strengthening mechanism plays a dominant role in the yield strength when tempering for 5 h or less, and the combined influence of carbide coarsening and a sharp decrease in the dislocation density resulted in a significant decrease in tensile strength when tempering for 8 h or more. The fracture toughness KIC is primarily influenced by the reverted austenite, so that KIC increases gradually with the prolongation of the tempering time. However, a significant decrease in the dislocation density resulting from long-term tempering has a certain impact on KIC, giving rise to a decrease in the rising amplitude in KIC after tempering for 8 h or more. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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14 pages, 12672 KiB  
Article
Development and Production of Artificial Test Swarf to Examine Wear Behavior of Running Engine Components—Part 2: Experimentally Derived Designs
by Patrick Brag, Volker Piotter, Klaus Plewa, Alexander Klein, Mirko Herzfeldt and Sascha Umbach
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186276 - 19 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1241
Abstract
In subtractive manufacturing processes, swarf, burrs or other residues are produced, which can impair the function of a tribological system (e.g., journal bearings). To prevent premature engine damage, cleanliness requirements are defined for production processes. Damaging particle tests are an experimental approach for [...] Read more.
In subtractive manufacturing processes, swarf, burrs or other residues are produced, which can impair the function of a tribological system (e.g., journal bearings). To prevent premature engine damage, cleanliness requirements are defined for production processes. Damaging particle tests are an experimental approach for validating these defined cleanliness requirements. This methodical approach is not yet widely used. For one, the test setup must be developed and proven for the respective application. For another, in order to carry out the tests in a systematic manner, defined test particles with properties similar to those of the contaminants encountered in reality are required. In the second part of the paper, the process chain for manufacturing artificial test swarf by micro powder injection molding (MicroPIM) is described. The size and shape of the swarf were derived from real swarf via several abstraction processes. Although certain design guidelines for MicroPIM parts could not be taken into account, the targeted manufacturing tolerances were achieved in most cases. During demolding, it became apparent that the higher ejection forces of the free-formed geometries must be taken more into account in the design of the mold. The experiments on the test setup also revealed that the artificial test swarf was unexpectedly brittle and was therefore ground up in the bearing gap without causing any substantial damage to the bearing. Thus, the artificial test swarf in its current sintered state is not a suitable substitute for micromilled swarf. However, MicroPIM could still be used to manufacture test particles in applications involving lower mechanical forces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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14 pages, 22598 KiB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Response of a Direct Quenched and Partitioned Steel at Different Finishing Rolling Temperatures
by Yajun Liu, Xiaolong Gan, Wen Liang, Guang Xu, Jianghua Qi and Man Liu
Materials 2023, 16(9), 3575; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16093575 - 6 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1905
Abstract
The effects of finishing rolling temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a direct quenched and partitioned (DQ&P) steel were investigated by a thermal simulation machine, a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), and a transmission electron microscope [...] Read more.
The effects of finishing rolling temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a direct quenched and partitioned (DQ&P) steel were investigated by a thermal simulation machine, a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the original austenite grain size was refined by 31% as the finishing rolling temperature decreased from 920 °C to 840 °C, leading to the formation of the finest martensite lath at 840 °C. At the same time, the lower finishing rolling temperature resulted in a higher dislocation density, and consequently improved the stability of the retained austenite. Moreover, compared to the conventional Q&P process, the comprehensive mechanical properties of a steel with similar chemical composition can be enhanced by DQ&P processing. With the decrease of finishing rolling temperature from 920 °C to 840 °C, the strength and total elongation increases. The yield strength, tensile strength, and total elongation reach the maximum values of 1121 MPa, 1134 MPa, and 11.7%, respectively, at 840 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Wear Performance of High-Strength Steels)
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