Vol 2016, No 11 (2016)

The structure formation and the mechanical properties of quenched and tempered grade 20 steel after equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at various true strains and 400°C are studied. Electron microscopy analysis after ECAP shows a partially submicrocrystalline and partially subgrain structure with a structural element size of 340–375 nm. The structural element size depends on the region in which the elements are formed (polyhedral ferrite, needle-shaped ferrite, tempered martensite, and pearlite). Heating of the steel after ECAP at 400 and 450°C increases the fraction of high-angle boundaries and the structural ferrite element size to 360–450 nm. The fragmentation and spheroidization of cementite lamellae of pearlite and subgrain coalescence in the regions of needle-shaped ferrite and tempered martensite take place at a high ECAP true strain and heating temperature. Structural refinement ensures considerable strengthening, namely, UTS 742–871 MPa at EL 11–15.3%. The strength slightly increases, whereas the plasticity slightly decreases when the true strain increases during ECAP. After ECAP and heating, the strength and plastic properties of the grade 20 steel remain almost the same.

The possibility of application of high-temperature extraction in a carrier gas to determine the content of nitrogen from titanium nitride inclusions in rail steel specimens of industrial melts and model alloys is considered. The temperatures of the onset of the dissociation of basic nitrides in rail steel are calculated under the conditions of a carbon-saturated melt. The nitrogen content in titanium nitrides in rail steel is calculated under the equilibrium conditions in the system. The experimental and calculated data on the characteristic temperatures of TiN dissociation and the nitrogen content in TiN are compared. A satisfactory convergence of the calculated and experimental data is obtained. The possibility of application of high-temperature extraction in a graphite crucible in a carrier gas flow for fractional analysis of nitrides in steel is shown.

The interaction of exogenous refractory compound (ZrO₂) nanoparticles with sulfur and tin, which are present as surfactants in model nickel melts, is studied. Thermodynamic calculations are performed to consider the versions of removal of sulfur and tin from a melt in the form of S₂, SO₂, H₂S, Sn, and SnO. It is shown that the probability of their removal under melting conditions is low. Their contents is found to decrease when ZrO₂ nanoparticles are introduced: the degree of removal is α = 12–18% S in a model Ni–S alloy and 14–20% Sn in a model Ni–Sn alloy.

The structural and functional properties of specimens cut from as-cast and pressed rods of a 45Ti–45Ni–10Nb (at %) alloy have been studied in as-delivered state. The homogeneity of the properties under study has been verified along the rod length and from rod to rod. The laws of formation of the alloy structure as a function of the technology of its manufacturing have been studied. The structure influences the mechanical behavior and the main functional properties of the alloy. The pressed state is shown to be preferable as compared to the as-cast state.

The methods of casting of modern magnesium alloys (corrosion-resistant Mg–Al–Zn VML18 alloy and a high-strength Mg–Zn–Zr VML20 alloy) into the temporary molds made of cold-hardening mixtures and the molds produced by 3D printing are considered. The mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, impact toughness), the corrosion properties, and the microstructure of the ingots are studied. The experimental results are used to choose the molds and the methods of casting of the parts of the control system of advanced aircrafts, which are made of modern cast magnesium alloys VML18 and VML20.

The results of investigations of the production of abrasive rod or wire diamond tools by high-temperature gas extrusion are presented. The versions of preparation of an initial metallic workpiece filled with a mixture of abrasive diamond grains are considered. The forming of plastic materials with hard inclusions, which is caused by deformation redistribution in the volume and is accompanied by the formation of pores and discontinuities adjoined to the hard inclusions, is considered. The results obtained demonstrate the prospects of application of high-temperature gas extrusion for the production of diamond tools for various purposes.

The reactions of reduction of chromium and iron from chromospinelide and the reactions of carbide formation from the reduced metals are separated in space in experiments performed on ore grains with an artificially applied silicate shell. It is found that the silicate layer that isolates spinelide fro direct contact with carbon takes part in the reactions of both reduction and carbide formation. Free carbon extracts oxygen anions from the layer at the contact surface with the formation of CO, and the forming anion vacancies transfer “excess” electrons to the iron and chromium cations in the spinelide lattice and reduce them. Free and carbide-fixed carbon extracts iron and chromium cations from the silicate layer, and carbides form on the surface. The cation vacancies and electron holes (high-charge cations) that form in the silicate phase under these conditions are involved in the oxidation of the metal reduced in spinelide and cause its dissolution in the silicate phase and the precipitation of lower carbides on the surface of the silicate phase. The structure that is characterized of carbon ferrochrome forms on the surface of the silicate phase. Carbide formation is slower than reduction because of higher energy consumed for the formation of high-charge cations and the transfer of cations from the spinelide volume to the outer surface of the silicate phase. In the absence of a silicate layer, a carbide shell blocks the contact of carbon with oxides, which leads to the stop of reduction and, then, carbide formation. In the presence of a silicate (slag) shell around a spinelide grain, the following two concentration galvanic cells operate in parallel: an oxygen (reduction) cell and a metal (oxidation) cell. The parallel operation of the two galvanic cells with a common electrolyte (silicate phase) results in a decrease in the electric potentials between spinelide inside the silicate phase and carbon and carbides on its surface, and each of the processes is significantly facilitated and accelerated. In other words, the production of carbon ferrochrome is accelerated.

A mathematical model is developed to optimize the forward and backward pulls of a strip in a reversing cold rolling mill according to the energy efficiency criterion. The energy consumption is found to be substantially lowered when this technique is applied.