Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen Contents

With the rapid development of long-distance transmission pipelines for oil and natural gas, pipeline steel is continuously evolving towards higher pressure, larger diameter, and thicker wall thickness. Many extensive studies and research have been conducted on X70 pipeline steel produced through tra...

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Main Authors: Jiangcheng Liu, Kai Guo, Haote Ma, Jiangli He, Junchao Wang, Chuanyou Zhang, Tiansheng Wang, Qingfeng Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/3/266
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author Jiangcheng Liu
Kai Guo
Haote Ma
Jiangli He
Junchao Wang
Chuanyou Zhang
Tiansheng Wang
Qingfeng Wang
author_facet Jiangcheng Liu
Kai Guo
Haote Ma
Jiangli He
Junchao Wang
Chuanyou Zhang
Tiansheng Wang
Qingfeng Wang
author_sort Jiangcheng Liu
collection DOAJ
description With the rapid development of long-distance transmission pipelines for oil and natural gas, pipeline steel is continuously evolving towards higher pressure, larger diameter, and thicker wall thickness. Many extensive studies and research have been conducted on X70 pipeline steel produced through traditional processing routes. This study focuses on Nb-V-Ti-N microalloyed steel with different nitrogen contents, systematically investigating the variations in microstructure and tensile properties after quenching and tempering processes. The results indicate that after quenching treatment, when the nitrogen content of the tested steel is 0.0020 wt%, its primary microstructure consists of granular bainitic ferrite (GBF), acicular ferrite (AF), and residual M/A (martensite/austenite) components. As the nitrogen content increases, the contents of acicular ferrite and M/A constituents gradually rise, while granular bainitic ferrite correspondingly decreases. After tempering treatment, the microstructure of the tested steel transforms into granular bainitic ferrite, acicular ferrite, and carbonitrides. Notably, with the elevation of nitrogen content, the number of high-angle grain boundaries in the microstructure significantly increases. Meanwhile, the mean equivalent diameter (MED) defined by the misorientation angle (MTA) ranging from 2 to 15° and the dislocation density (ρ) exhibit an overall decreasing trend. Both of these factors contribute significantly to yield strength, resulting in a gradual increase in yield strength (YS) as the nitrogen content rises. Additionally, the study finds that as the nitrogen content increases, the size of precipitated particles continuously enlarges, and their proportion in the microstructure gradually increases. This discovery provides important theoretical basis and practical guidance for further optimizing the microstructure and mechanical properties of X70 pipeline steel.
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spelling doaj-art-e7104db591fa4ca89c8853972c8cfb972025-08-20T03:43:37ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-02-0115326610.3390/met15030266Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen ContentsJiangcheng Liu0Kai Guo1Haote Ma2Jiangli He3Junchao Wang4Chuanyou Zhang5Tiansheng Wang6Qingfeng Wang7Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, ChinaLaboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, ChinaLaboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, ChinaTechnical Center, Tianjin Pipe (Group) Corporation Limited, Tianjin 300301, ChinaLaboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, ChinaLaboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, ChinaWith the rapid development of long-distance transmission pipelines for oil and natural gas, pipeline steel is continuously evolving towards higher pressure, larger diameter, and thicker wall thickness. Many extensive studies and research have been conducted on X70 pipeline steel produced through traditional processing routes. This study focuses on Nb-V-Ti-N microalloyed steel with different nitrogen contents, systematically investigating the variations in microstructure and tensile properties after quenching and tempering processes. The results indicate that after quenching treatment, when the nitrogen content of the tested steel is 0.0020 wt%, its primary microstructure consists of granular bainitic ferrite (GBF), acicular ferrite (AF), and residual M/A (martensite/austenite) components. As the nitrogen content increases, the contents of acicular ferrite and M/A constituents gradually rise, while granular bainitic ferrite correspondingly decreases. After tempering treatment, the microstructure of the tested steel transforms into granular bainitic ferrite, acicular ferrite, and carbonitrides. Notably, with the elevation of nitrogen content, the number of high-angle grain boundaries in the microstructure significantly increases. Meanwhile, the mean equivalent diameter (MED) defined by the misorientation angle (MTA) ranging from 2 to 15° and the dislocation density (ρ) exhibit an overall decreasing trend. Both of these factors contribute significantly to yield strength, resulting in a gradual increase in yield strength (YS) as the nitrogen content rises. Additionally, the study finds that as the nitrogen content increases, the size of precipitated particles continuously enlarges, and their proportion in the microstructure gradually increases. This discovery provides important theoretical basis and practical guidance for further optimizing the microstructure and mechanical properties of X70 pipeline steel.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/3/266Nb-V micro-alloy steelmartensitic steelquenching and temperingprecipitatedislocationsyield strength
spellingShingle Jiangcheng Liu
Kai Guo
Haote Ma
Jiangli He
Junchao Wang
Chuanyou Zhang
Tiansheng Wang
Qingfeng Wang
Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen Contents
Metals
Nb-V micro-alloy steel
martensitic steel
quenching and tempering
precipitate
dislocations
yield strength
title Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen Contents
title_full Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen Contents
title_fullStr Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen Contents
title_full_unstemmed Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen Contents
title_short Microstructural Evolution and Tensile Properties of Nb-V-Ti-N Microalloyed Steel with Varying Nitrogen Contents
title_sort microstructural evolution and tensile properties of nb v ti n microalloyed steel with varying nitrogen contents
topic Nb-V micro-alloy steel
martensitic steel
quenching and tempering
precipitate
dislocations
yield strength
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/3/266
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