Search Results (17)

Rolling is one of the most important processes in the metallurgical industry due to its versatility. Despite its inherent advantages, design and manufacturing by rolling still rely on trial-and-error-based optimizations, which reduces its efficiency. To minimize the cost and time spent on the development of new rolling schedules, various analytical and numerical methods have been used in recent years. Among other alternatives, simulations based on the finite element method (FEM) are the most widely used. This allows for the analysis of the feasibility of new rolling schedules considering metal alloys with different characteristics, process conditions, or the creation of new operations, as well as the optimization of existing ones. This paper presents a literature review including the latest developments in the field of numerical simulation of rolling processes, which have been classified according to the type of rolling into the following categories: flat rolling, shape rolling, ring rolling, cross-wedge rolling, skew rolling, and tube piercing. Full article

The thermal properties, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Fe-18Mn-3Ti (wt%) were investigated, focusing on the effects of different heat-treatment processes. Results revealed that the 450 °C warm-rolling sample (450 WR) exhibited promising mechanical properties. Specifically, this sample displayed a yield strength of 988 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1052 MPa, and total elongation of 15.49%. Consequently, a favorable strength-ductility balance was achieved. The strain-hardening ability surpassed that of the cold rolling sample (CR). Microstructure analysis indicated the simultaneous occurrence of dynamic equilibrium between grain deformation and re-crystallization because of the co-influence of thermal and strain in the warm rolling process. This desirable mechanical property was attributed to the presence of a multi-phase (α-martensite, austenite, and ε-martensite) and heterogeneous microstructure. The improvement of ultimate tensile strength was based on grain refinement, grain co-deformation, and the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect in the early stage of plastic deformation (stage Ⅰ). The improvement of ultimate elongation (TEL) was ascribed to the TRIP effect in the middle stage of plastic deformation (stage Ⅱ). Full article

Transformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels have a range of applications in the vehicle engineering field. Developing TRIP steels with improved mechanical properties would not only allow for lightweight designs, but would also improve the safety of the materials in service. In this study, we report novel 0.4C-(3, 5, 7)Mn-1.2Mo-0.8V TRIP steels; these steels were melted and then warm-deformed at the (α + γ) dual-phase region to fabricate ultrafine-grained microstructures with average grain sizes of 200–500 nm. Results show that the tensile strengths of the steels range between 1.9 and 2.1 GPa, and their elongations range between 7% and 8.5%. The microstructural thermostability of the steels gradually decreases with an increase in the manganese content. Compared with conventional TRIP steels fabricated using the cold-rolling and annealing method, the warm-deformed TRIP steels presented here can prevent cracks forming during the fabrication process. More importantly, these steels have significantly lower dislocation densities, thus improving their ductility. The present research results provide new ideas for the design of future ultrahigh-strength TRIP steels. Full article

Better understanding of roll vortices that often occur in the tropical cyclone (TC) boundary layer is required to improve forecasts of TC intensification and the granularity of damaging surface winds. It is especially important to characterize rolls over a wide variety of TCs, their environments, and TC development phases. Boundary layer rolls have been observed in TCs since 1998, but only recently in a TC during its extratropical transition phase. The work reported herein is the first to analyze how boundary layer rolls are distributed among the extratropical features of a transitioning TC. To this end, routine and special operational observations recorded during landfalling Post-tropical Cyclone Sandy (2012) were leveraged, including radar, surface, rawinsonde, and aircraft reconnaissance observations. Large rolls occurred in cold airstreams, both in the cold conveyor belt within the northwestern storm quadrant and in the secluding airstream within the northeastern quadrant, but roll presence was much diminished within the intervening warm sector. The large size of the rolls and their confinement to cold airstreams is attributed to an optimum inflow layer depth, which is deep enough below a strong stable layer to accommodate deep and strong positive radial wind shear to promote roll growth, yet not so deep as to limit radial wind shear magnitude, as occurred in the warm sector. Full article

To compare the efficacy of different recovery strategies (sitting; cold water immersion, CWI; vibration foam rolling, VFR) on the lower extremities of amateur basketball players after the simulated load of a basketball game, we assessed the power, agility, and dynamic balance before and after interventions. Ten amateur basketball players alternately underwent 12 min of sitting, 12 min of CWI at 5 °C, and 12 min of VFR. The power, agility, and dynamic balance were measured immediately post-warm-up, immediately post-game, immediately post-intervention, 1 h after interventions, and 24 h after interventions. To simulate the load of a basketball game, specific movements were designed and implemented. Jump height was measured using a Kistler force plate. Reaction time and dynamic balance score were assessed using the Pavigym agility response system and the Y balance test, respectively. The data were analyzed with a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the vertical jump height significantly decreased after the CWI intervention compared to the CON and VFR groups (p < 0.001). At 1 h after the intervention, the vertical jump height in the CON group showed delayed recovery compared to the CWI and VFR groups (p = 0.007; p < 0.001). At 24 h after the intervention, the vertical jump height in the CWI group further increased and was significantly different from the CON and VFR groups (p < 0.001; p = 0.005). Additionally, reaction times significantly increased immediately after the CWI intervention (p = 0.004) but showed further recovery at 24 h compared to the CON group (p < 0.001). The dynamic balance score significantly rebounded after the CWI intervention compared to the CON group (p = 0.021), with further improvement at 24 h (p < 0.001). CWI initially showed negative effects, but over time, its recovery effect was superior and more long-lasting. VFR had the best immediate effect on lower limb recovery after the game. Full article

The effect of thermos-mechanical processing and thermal treatments on the microstructure of a single phase fcc-based Al₅Co₁₅Cr₃₀Fe₂₅Ni₂₅ high entropy alloy is evaluated in this study. As-cast ingots of the high entropy alloy were thermo-mechanically processed following different routes involving forging, cold rolling, warm rolling or hot rolling. In addition, the microstructural evolution of highly deformed cold rolled sheets with the annealing temperature was analyzed. The data reveal that a high-volume fraction of the microstructure commences to recrystallize from 600 °C. In the absence of recrystallization, i.e., below 600 °C, the hardness of thermo-mechanically processed and annealed samples was very close. When recrystallization takes place, the thermo-mechanically treated alloys exhibit higher hardness than the annealed alloys because the recrystallized grains are strengthened by dislocations generated in further steps of the processing while the alloys in the annealed condition are free of dislocations. Maximum hardening is found for the alloy warm-rolled at 450 °C and the alloy cold-rolled plus annealing at 500 °C for 1 h. Diffusion of solute atoms to the core of dislocations, pinning its movement, accounts for the additional hardening. Full article

To study the nucleation and recrystallization behavior of deformation bands, shear bands and grain boundaries during the recrystallization process, a heat treatment test was carried out on Cr-Ti-B low-carbon steel after warm rolling and cold rolling. The results show that recrystallization occurs preferentially in shear bands and grain boundaries. The γ deformation texture can be enhanced and the Goss texture can be weakened during the warm rolling and subsequent cold rolling process. Recrystallization of the deformation bands was observed, but the nucleation time of recrystallization in the deformation band is much slower than that in the shear band and grain boundary. Full article

Magnesium alloys show broad application prospects as biodegradable implanting materials due to their good biocompatibility, mechanical compatibility, and degradability. However, the influence mechanism of microstructure evolution during forming on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy process is not clear. Here, the effects of rolling deformation, such as cold rolling, warm rolling, and hot rolling, on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of the WE43 magnesium alloy were systematically studied. After rolling treatment, the grains of the alloy were significantly refined. Moreover, the crystal plane texture strength and basal plane density decreased first and then increased with the increase in rolling temperature. Compared with the as-cast alloy, the strength of the alloy after rolling was significantly improved. Among them, the warm-rolled alloy exhibited the best mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 346.7 MPa and an elongation of 8.9%. The electrochemical experiments and immersion test showed that the hot working process can greatly improve the corrosion resistance of the WE43 alloy. The hot-rolled alloy had the best corrosion resistance, and its corrosion resistance rate was 0.1556 ± 0.18 mm/year. Full article

The effect of large-strain cold-to-warm deformation on the microstructures and mechanical properties of various steels and alloys is critically reviewed. The review is mainly focused on the microstructure evolution, whereas the deformation textures are cursorily considered without detailed examination. The deformation microstructures are considered in a wide strain range, from early straining to severe deformations. Such an approach offers a clearer view of how the deformation mechanisms affect the structural changes leading to the final microstructures evolved in large strains. The general regularities of microstructure evolution are shown for different deformation methods, including conventional rolling/swaging and special techniques, such as equal channel angular pressing or torsion under high pressure. The microstructural changes during deformations under different processing conditions are considered as functions of total strain. Then, some important mutual relationships between the microstructural parameters, e.g., grain size vs. dislocation density, are revealed and discussed. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms of microstructure evolution that are responsible for the grain refinement. The development of an ultrafine-grained microstructure during large strain deformation is considered in terms of continuous dynamic recrystallization. The regularities of the latter are discussed in comparison with conventional (discontinuous) dynamic recrystallization and grain subdivision (fragmentation) phenomenon. The structure–property relations are quantitatively represented for the structural strengthening, taking into account various mechanisms of dislocation retardation. Full article

Developing medium-Mn steels (MMnS) demands a better understanding of the microstructure evolution during thermo-mechanical treatments (TMTs). This study demonstrates the relationship among processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of a warm-rolled medium-Mn steel (MMnS) containing 1.5 wt. % Cu and 1.5 wt. % Ni. After short-time warm rolling (WR) in an intercritical temperature range, a significant quantity (40.6 vol.%) of austenite was reverted and retained after air cooling. The microstructure and tensile properties of the WR specimens were compared with two typical process routes, namely hot rolling+ cold rolling+ annealing+ tempering (CRAT) and warm rolling+ annealing+ tempering (WRAT). The WR specimen exhibited comparable tensile properties with the CRAT specimens (967 MPa yield strength, 1155 MPa tensile strength, 23% total elongation), with a remarkably shortened process route, which was derived from the dislocation accumulation and austenite reversion during rolling. The WR route stands out among the traditional CRAT and the extended WRAT routes for its excellent tensile properties and compact processing route. Full article

Asymmetric sheet rolling is a process used when there are differences in any technological parameters in the horizontal plane across the width of the deformation zone or in the vertical plane between the top and bottom surfaces of the deformation zone. Asymmetry can either have random causes, or it can be created purposefully to reduce rolling force, improve sheet flatness, minimize the ski effect, obtain thinner sheets and for grain refinement and improvement of texture and mechanical properties of sheet metals and alloys. The purpose of this review is to analyze and summarize the most relevant information regarding the asymmetric (hot, warm, cold, cryo) rolling processes in terms of the effect of purposefully created asymmetry on grain size and mechanical properties of pure Mg, Al, Ti and their alloys. The classification and fundamentals of mechanics of the asymmetric rolling process are presented. Based on the analysis of publications related to asymmetric rolling, it was found that a superior balance of strength and ductility in pure Mg, Al, Ti and their alloys could be achieved due to this processing. It is shown that asymmetric rolling in comparison with conventional severe plastic deformation methods have an undeniable advantage in terms of the possibility of the production of large-scale sheets. Full article

Deformed and partitioned (D&P) medium Mn steels exhibiting high strength, large ductility, and excellent fracture toughness have been developed recently. The ultra-high dislocation density and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect are the main mechanisms for their exceptional mechanical properties. The simple processing route to manufacturing D&P steel makes it promising for large-scale industrial applications. However, the exact effect of each processing step on the final mechanical properties of D&P steel is not yet fully understood. In the present work, the effects of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of D&P steels are systematically investigated. The evolution of microstructure, tensile behavior and austenite fraction of warm rolled samples and D&P samples are revealed. Two D&P steels, with and without the intercritical annealing process, are both produced for comparison. It is revealed that the intercritical annealing process plays an insignificant role to the mechanical properties of D&P steel. The partitioning process is extremely important for obtaining large uniform elongation via slow but sustaining strain hardening by the TRIP effect in the partitioned austenite. The cold rolling process is also significant for acquiring high strength, and the cold rolling thickness reduction (CRTR) is extremely critical for the strength–ductility synergy of D&P steels. Full article

Recently, heterogeneous structured metals have attracted extensive interest due to their exciting mechanical properties. In this work, an AlN/Al nanocomposite with heterogeneous distribution of AlN nanoparticles was successfully prepared by a liquid-solid reaction method combined with subsequent extrusion deformation, which behaves an excellent synergy of tensile strength and ductility. In order to further reveal the particle distribution evolution and the tensile property response during further deformation, a series of rolling treatments with different thickness reductions under room temperature and 300 °C was carried out. The results show that the yield strength and tensile strength of the composites increase significantly from 238 MPa, 312 MPa to 312 MPa, 360 MPa after 85% rolling reduction at 300 °C. While the elongation decreased from 15.5% to 9.8%. It is also noticed that the elongation and tensile strength of the nanocomposites increases simultaneously with increasing deformation. It is considered that the aluminum matrix strengthening effect accounts for the strength enhancement. The AlN spatial distribution in the matrix becomes more homogeneous gradually during the rolling, which is supposed to reduce the stress concentration between the particle and matrix and then promote the ductility increase. Full article

The ultrafine-grained microstructures and their effect on the yield strength of a 316L-type austenitic stainless steel processed by large strain cold/warm rolling and subsequent annealing were studied. A kind of continuous recrystallization developed during annealing, resulting in the evolution of uniform ultrafine-grained microstructures with relatively high residual dislocation densities. The development of such microstructure at 973 K led to excellent combination of tensile properties including high yield strength (σ_0.2 > 900 MPa) and satisfactory plasticity (δ > 15%). A unique power law function between the annealed grain size and the dislocation density with a dislocation density exponent of −0.5 was obtained for these continuously recrystallized microstructures. A physically justified explanation of the observed structural/substructural strengthening is introduced. Full article

An ultrastrong and ductile deformed and partitioned (D&P) steel developed by dislocation engineering has been reported recently. However, the microstructure evolution during the D&P processes has not yet been fully understood. The present paper aims to elucidate the process–microstructure relation in D&P process. Specifically, the evolution of phase fraction and microstructure during the corresponding D&P process are captured by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Subsequently, the effect of partitioning temperature on dislocation density and mechanical properties of D&P steel is investigated with the assistance of uniaxial tensile tests and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. It is found that a heterogeneous microstructure is firstly realized by hot rolling. The warm rolling is crucial in introducing dislocations, while deformation-induced martensite is mainly formed during cold rolling. The dislocation density of the D&P steel gradually decreases with the increase of partitioning temperature, while the high yield strength is maintained owing to the bake hardening. The ductility is firstly enhanced while then deteriorated by increasing partitioning temperature due to the strong interaction between dislocation and interstitial atoms at higher partitioning temperatures. Full article