Characterization of microstructural strengthening in the heat-affected zone of a blast-resistant naval steel

Xinghua Yu, Jeremy L. Caron, S. S. Babu, John C. Lippold, Dieter Isheim, David N. Seidman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

The influence of simulated heat-affected zone thermal cycles on the microstructural evolution in a blast-resistant naval steel was investigated by dilatometry, microhardness testing, optical microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and atom-probe tomography (APT) techniques. Coarsening of Cu precipitates were observed in the subcritical and intercritical heat-affected zones, with partial dissolution in the latter. A small number density of Cu precipitates and high Cu concentration in the matrix of the fine-grained heat-affected zone indicates the onset of Cu precipitate dissolution. Cu clustering in the coarse-grained heat-affected zone indicated the potential initiation of Cu reprecipitation during cooling. Segregation of Cu was also characterized by APT. The hardening and softening observed in the heat-affected zone regions was rationalized using available strengthening models.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5596-5609
Number of pages14
JournalActa Materialia
Volume58
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010

Keywords

  • Atom-probe field-ion microscopy (APFIM)
  • Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
  • Grain boundary segregation
  • Precipitation strengthening
  • Steels

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Metals and Alloys

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