Processing/structure/properties steels

FigyibV 1-12 Processing/structure/properties/performance topic timelines for (a) steels, (b) glass-ceramics, (c) polymer fibers, and (d) silicon semiconductors. 

At this time, we have completed our processing/structure/properties/performance commentary for steels. By way of summary. Figure 11.29 shows relationships of these processing, structure, and property elements for this group of alloys. It was compiled from summaries provided in previous chapters and, in addition, includes topics discussed in this chapter. 

For the most part, the individual components found in the interrelationships of Figure 11.29 are conceptual in nature —that is, they represent the scientific (as opposed to engineering) aspects of materials. We have also generated a processing/structure/ properties/performance relational diagram (for steel alloys) taken from the materials engineering perspective it is shown in Figure 11.30. 

Figpie 11.30 Schematic diagram that summarizes the elements of processing, structure, properties, and performance for steel alloys from a materials engmeerrng fterspective. 

Processing/Structure/Properties/Performance correlations and summary concept maps for four materials (steels, glass-ceramics, polymer fibers, and silicon semiconductors), which integrate important concepts from chapter to chapter... 

To improve its structural properties, aluminum is mixed with various metals such as copper, silicon, magnesium, manganese, and zinc to form alloys of varying properties and uses, some of which are shown in Table 14.3. Aluminum evidently forms zones of structural stability with these other metals that harden the alloy in a process somewhat like the formation of steel from iron. 

Intrinsic Steei Quaiity refers to the metallurgical and chemical properties of steel products (plate, pipe, tubes, structurals, castings, forgings) supplied to the fabricator for conversion into process equipment. Factors related to deoxidation, controlled finishing temperatures in rolling, and cleaning up of surface defects are included. 

The process of burning out the impurities is slowest in the open-hearth furnace. This implies there is plenty of time to analyze the melt and add whatever is needed to obtain the desired chemical composition. Manganese, vanadium, and chromium are frequent additives. The properties of the finished steel depend upon the amount of carbon left in and upon the identity and the quantity of other added elements. Soft steel, for example, contains 0.08-0.18 weight percent carbon structural steel, 0.15-0.25% hard steel ox toot steel, 1-1.2%. 

PM steel-processing techniques have not been used for the fabrication of structural parts or critical components because, as stated previously, the properties of sintered steel parts have- not... 

Characteristics and implementation of the treatments depend on the expected results and on the properties of the material considered a variety of processes are employed. In ferrous alloys, in steels, a eutectoid transformation plays a prominent role, and aspects described by time-temperature-transformation diagrams and martensite formation are of relevant interest. See a short presentation of these points in 5.10.4.5. Titanium alloys are an example of the formation of structures in which two phases may be present in comparable quantities. A few remarks about a and (3 Ti alloys and the relevant heat treatments have been made in 5.6.4.1.1. More generally, for the various metals, the existence of different crystal forms, their transformation temperatures, and the extension of solid-solution ranges with other metals are preliminary points in the definition of convenient heat treatments and of their effects. In the evaluation and planning of the treatments, due consideration must be given to the heating and/or cooling rate and to the diffusion processes (in pure metals and in alloys). 

Many other atom-probe analyses of different phases in different types of steels exist as steels are one of the most important materials. It is possible to investigate how the magnetic properties of alloys are correlated to the microstructures of different phases in the alloys.57,58,59 The chemical contents, growth process and structures of metallic carbides in different alloy steels have been studied with the field ion microscope and the atom-probe field ion microscope.60 61 62 63 We refer the reader to some of the original papers published on these subjects. 

Modification of the metal itself, by alloying for corrosion resistance, or substitution of a more corrosion-resistant metal, is often worth the increased capital cost. Titanium has excellent corrosion resistance, even when not alloyed, because of its tough natural oxide film, but it is presently rather expensive for routine use (e.g., in chemical process equipment), unless the increased capital cost is a secondary consideration. Iron is almost twice as dense as titanium, which may influence the choice of metal on structural grounds, but it can be alloyed with 11% or more chromium for corrosion resistance (stainless steels, Section 16.8) or, for resistance to acid attack, with an element such as silicon or molybdenum that will give a film of an acidic oxide (SiC>2 and M0O3, the anhydrides of silicic and molybdic acids) on the metal surface. Silicon, however, tends to make steel brittle. Nevertheless, the proprietary alloys Duriron (14.5% Si, 0.95% C) and Durichlor (14.5% Si, 3% Mo) are very serviceable for chemical engineering operations involving acids. Molybdenum also confers special acid and chloride resistant properties on type 316 stainless steel. Metals that rely on oxide films for corrosion resistance should, of course, be used only in Eh conditions under which passivity can be maintained. 

Bonding operations frequently require the mechanical or chemical removal of loose oxide layers from iron and steel surfaces before adhesives are applied. To guard against slow reaction with environmental moisture after the bond has formed, iron and steel surfaces are often phosphated prior to bonding. This process converts the relatively reactive iron atoms to a more passive, chemically stable form that is coated with zinc or iron phosphate crystals. Such coatings are applied in an effort to convert a reactive and largely unknown surface to a relatively inert one whose structure and properties are reasonably well understood. 

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