Proceedings of National Symposium for Post Graduate Students (NSPGS 2010), 24 25 April, 2010: Vol 4 Civil, Materials &

p; Metallurgy

DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH STRENGH BAINITIC STEELS

THAVAMANI .R, THILLAIRAJAN.K, KAVITHA.M

Abstract: The structures formed during the continuous

cooling of steel from above AC3 can be understood best by studying
the constant-temperature (isothermal) transformation of austenite,
thus separating the two variables: time and temperature. One method
consists of heating the specimens above AC3 to form austenite, then
quenching into a suitable bath (e.g. liquid tin) at some constant sub-
critical temperature(above Ms temparuture). After holding for
selected periods of time, the specimens are withdrawn from the bath
and rapidly quenched in cold water.The resulting microstructure,
Bainite would give better mechanical properties like high strong with
good toughness than the annealed, normalized, quenched and
tempered steels. The main objective of this paper is to produce a
bainitic microstructure in the selected steel composition.
Keywords: Steel, Heat Treatment process
Fig 1. Types of Bainitic (Upper Bainite & Lower Bainite)
1. INTRODUCTION
Bainite is a isothermal decomposition product of austenite Cooling rates in the order of increasing severity are achieved
consisting of an aggregate of ferrite and carbide.A new by quenching from elevated temperatures as follows: furnace
generation of Bainitic steels has recently been developed using cooling, air cooling, oil quenching, liquid salts, water
detailed heat treatment methods. The developed scheme quenching, and brine. If these cooling curves are superimposed
distinguishes between different components that comprise the on the TTT diagram, the end product structure and the time
primary and secondary phase constituents by this approach a required to complete the transformation may be found.
more detailed characterization of Bainitic micro structure is
possible. In this work a study of existing correlation between
Figure. 2 Ideal TTT-curve for 0,8% carbon steel depicting time interval
mechanical properties and microstructure features for a required for beginning, 50% and 100% transformation of austenite at a
selected variant of the new alloy system is presented T (Time) constant temperature A= Austenite F= Ferrite P = Pearlite B = Bainite
T (Temperature) (Transformation) diagram is a plot of
temperature versus the logarithm of time for a steel alloy of
definite composition. It is used to determine when
transformations begin and end for an isothermal (constant
temperature) heat treatment of a previously austenitized alloy.
When austenite is cooled slowly to a temperature below LCT
(Lower Critical Temperature), the structure that is formed is
Pearlite. As the cooling rate increases, the pearlite
transformation temperature gets lower. The microstructure of
the material is significantly altered as the cooling rate
increases. By heating and cooling a series of samples, the
history of the austenite transformation may be recorded. TTT
diagram indicates when a specific transformation starts and
ends and it also shows what percentage of transformation of
austenite at a particular temperature is achieved

R.THAVAMANI , PG STUDENT, is with the Department of

Metallurgical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, CBE 641004 IND
(Mobile No: 9444454218; E-mail: arthavamani@ gmail.com).
K.THILLAIRAJAN, LECTURER, is with the Department of
Metallurgical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, CBE 641004 IND
(E-mail: mrpratheesh@yahoo.co.in).
KAVITHA, JRF is with the Department of Metallurgical
Engineering , PSG College of Technology, CBE 641004 IND
1.1 BAINITIC CLASSIFICATION
(E-mail: rrm@pro.psgtech.ac.in).

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 Proceedings of National Symposium for Post Graduate Students (NSPGS 2010), 24 25 April, 2010: Vol 4 Civil, Materials & Metallurgy

The carbides tend to lie parallel to the long axis of the

bainite needle to form the typical open feathery structure of
upper bainite. Below 350C coherent ferrite, supersaturated
with carbon, forms first and is then followed by the
precipitation of carbide within the ferrite needle, transversely
at an angle of 55. A proportion of the carbide is Fe2.4C and the
ferrite contains a little dissolved carbon. This lower bainite
structure is somewhat similar to lightly tempered martensite
(Fig. 3)

2.2. SELECTED COMPOSITION

The chemical composition of the alloys are shown in the

table (weight %).

Alloys %C %Si %Mn %Cr %Mo %Nb %V %Co %Al

Alloy
A 0.8 1.84 1.85 1.29 0.35 0.044 - 1.09 0.58
Alloy
B 0.81 1.48 1.74 1.19 0.24 - 0.11 - -

The alloys of the text bars were produced by melting and

Fig3. (a) Effect of different speeds of nucleation and growth on formation
of pearlite colonies; (b), (c), (d) diagrammatic representation of
formation of pearlite, upper bainite and lower bainite.
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
2.1 METHODLOGY
casting process. The alloys contain Manganese and chromium
for hardenability and silicon to prevent cementite precipitation
during Bainitic transformation. Molybdenum is added to
prevent temper embriliment due to phosphorous. Cobalt and
Aluminum are added accelerate the rate of reaction by
increasing free energy difference between the ferrite and
austenite phases. The alloy compositions to be made are listed
in the above table. The alloy A is with Niobium addition while
the alloy B is having vanadium instead of Niobium. The alloy
A having Cobalt and Aluminum addition.

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 Proceedings of National Symposium for Post Graduate Students (NSPGS 2010), 24 25 April, 2010: Vol 4 Civil, Materials & Metallurgy

2.3 Simulation of TTT and CCT Diagram Temperature (oC) = 1250oC

After the alloy was produced, the initial prediction for binite Time = 2 hrs
start temperature was done using online software. The Atms = Ambient
prediction based on the chemical composition of each alloy. Furnace = Programmable
The predicted curves for each alloy are given below. Silicon Carbide
Muffle Furnace
Cooling
Air cooling = 1 No
Oil quenching = 1 No
Furnace Cooling = 1 No

2.4.2 AUSTEMPERING
Austempering is a heat treatment of steel involved in holding
the component just above martensitic transformation range,
large enough to complete the bainite transformation.
It improves the ductility, strength and toughness of the
material.

Austempering Parameters
Figur
e 2.3.1: CCT/TTT prediction curve for alloy B

The predicted Bs temperature values are tabulated and an

optimum starting temperature of 3000 C was considered for the
initial isothermal heat treatment for are alloys.

Alloy A&B were taken and treated at 950C for one

hourtransferred to the furnace @300C. After transferring
samples were soaked for 1 hour and cooled in air it was
expected that bianite transformation occurs at this temperature.

3. RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

Figure 2.3.2: CCT/TTT prediction curve for alloy B 3.1 HARDNESS

Table: 2.3.3 Predicted values of Bs temperature

S.NO ALLOYS PREDICTED Bs

TEMP 0C 3.1.1 HRADNESS (As Cast Structure) (HRC)
1 A 427
2 B 227 The hardness was done using Rockwell Hardness Tester (C
scale- Machine Model: RASNE)

2.4 HEAT TREATMENT 3.1.2 AFTER HOMOGENIZATION

2.4.1 Homogenization

The metallurgical design of the alloys and of the heat treatment

is given, the material where homogenized at 1250C during 2 d
followed by slow cooling rate to ambient temperature.

15 SEC

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 Proceedings of National Symposium for Post Graduate Students (NSPGS 2010), 24 25 April, 2010: Vol 4 Civil, Materials & Metallurgy

The hardness data after homogenization listed above. Quenched condition

3.1.3 AFTER AUSTEMPERING

Hardness values are measured using Micro Hardness tester

(Vickers Hardness) at 1Kg load. Hardness values are high
compared to previous expected values due to homogenization Alloy-A Alloy-B
treatment at 1250C temperature. This conforms large amount
of carbon presents in austenite due to proper homogenisation.
Alloy A & B shown martensite plate like structure (Bainite)
Microstructures were viewed under optical Microscope.
with retained austensite.
Martensite was formed in air cooling and oil quenching

3.2 MICRO STRUCTURAL STUDY 3.2.2 AFTER AUSTEMPERING

3.2.1 AFTER HOMOGENIZATION Annealed condition

Alloy-A Alloy-B

Alloy A shown carbides with tempered martensite or bainite,

Alloy A & B shown coarse pearlite with some amount of Alloy B shown tempered martensite or bainite with retained
carbide precipitates austenite

Normalized condition

Alloy-A Alloy-B Alloy-A Alloy-B

Alloy A & B shown untempered martensite needles with Alloy A&B shown martenite or bainite laths with retained
carbide precipitates. austenite

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 Proceedings of National Symposium for Post Graduate Students (NSPGS 2010), 24 25 April, 2010: Vol 4 Civil, Materials & Metallurgy

Quenched condition

Alloy-A Alloy-B

Alloy A&B shown better bainite formation in an oil quenching

condition.

The maximum hardness of above 800 VHN was obtained

after quenching the samples in oil after homogenization at
1250C.mAfter Austempering treatment, the annealed,
normalized and quenched samples shown better results with
increased hardness and mixture of Bainite and Martensite in
the Micro structure.

4. CONCLUSION
The Bainite Micro structure can be obtained in the given steel
by isothermal treatment. Further study is required to increase
the amount of bainite in the structure and to find the Bainite
starting and Bainite finishing temperatures.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am grateful to project guide for this wonderful project and to
PSG College of Technology for the provision of Laboratory
facilities through the good officers of DR.V.RAMASAMY.

6.REFERENCES
.
1.F.G.Caballero, H.K.D.H. Bhadeshia, K.J.A. Mawella and
D.G Jones and P.Brown Design of Novel high strength
bainitc steels : Part 1 material science and technology may
2001 vol. 17
2.Wolftgang Bleck, Florian Gerdeman- Improved Mechnical
properties by control of bainitic transformation dec 2008.
3.Mohamed Y.Sherif Characterisation and development of
Nanostructured, Ultrahigh strength and Ductile Bainitic steels
Jan 2006.
4. F.G.Caballero, H.K.D.H. Bhadeshia, K.J.A. Mawella and
D.G Jones and P.Brown Design of Novel high strength
bainitc steels : Part 2 material science and technology may
2001 vol. 17
5. D.Quidort,Y.Brechet, The role of carbon on the kinetics of
bainite transformation in steels, Scripta Materialia 47(2002)
151-156.

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