Influence of Alloying Elements on the Thixoformability of a Chromium Steel

in International Journal of Material Forming (2008), 1(1), 997-1000

This paper deals with the examination of the influence of alloying elements on the thixoformability of a chromium steel. It focuses on the liquid fraction curves of various chromium steels with and ... [more ▼]

This paper deals with the examination of the influence of alloying elements on the thixoformability of a chromium steel. It focuses on the liquid fraction curves of various chromium steels with and without modification of composition. The liquid fraction versus temperature has been obtained by MTData, a thermodynamic prediction package, and by Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), limited to low heating rates. The correlation between liquid fraction and temperature has been studied. The effect of modifications of composition and of heating rate was observed. First, the thermodynamical calculations allow the study of the influence of alloying elements with variations in chemical composition. Secondly, the DTA tests offer the possibility to observe the influence of heating rate on liquid fraction curve parameters. All these results lead to the identification of the initial parameters necessary to perform inductive heating and quenching tests, and so to approach the industrial process. [less ▲]

Influence of experimental parameters on properties and microstructure of the steel X210CrW12 in the semi-solid state

in Solid State Phenomena (2006), 116-117

This paper deals with the examination of the steel grade X210CrW12 and its suitability for Thixoforming. In the semi-solid state, the microstructure of this steel consists of a homogeneous distribution of ... [more ▼]

This paper deals with the examination of the steel grade X210CrW12 and its suitability for Thixoforming. In the semi-solid state, the microstructure of this steel consists of a homogeneous distribution of globular particles surrounded by liquid. Additionally, carbides are stabile up to fraction liquid contents of approximately 40%. After quenching, this steel reveals a globular austenitic microstructure with eutectic (former liquid phase) at the grain boundaries. Compression tests permit to determine the influence of different process parameters on the properties and the material behaviour in the semi-solid state. Their influence on the microstructure was investigated but not yet highlighted. Further investigations on this steel allow a fine-tuning to establish optimal process windows of the different thixoforming- and rheoforming-routes. [less ▲]