Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steel
Weathering steels have been used as structural materials for decades. Nevertheless, steel manufacturers have been forced to develop alternative alloys that offer better mechanical strength while maintaining the toughness and corrosion resistance of conventional weathering steels. This study employed...
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2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
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| author | Carlos E.G. Cortopassi Marcio L.A. Cunha Vitor S. Barbosa Maicon M. Leivas José H. Alano Kleber E. Bianchi Henara L. Costa |
| author_facet | Carlos E.G. Cortopassi Marcio L.A. Cunha Vitor S. Barbosa Maicon M. Leivas José H. Alano Kleber E. Bianchi Henara L. Costa |
| author_sort | Carlos E.G. Cortopassi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Weathering steels have been used as structural materials for decades. Nevertheless, steel manufacturers have been forced to develop alternative alloys that offer better mechanical strength while maintaining the toughness and corrosion resistance of conventional weathering steels. This study employed microalloying with carefully selected elements to achieve grain refinement and appropriate corrosion resistance, combined with thermo-mechanical controlled processing (TMCP), to obtain a high-strength weathering steel. However, given the broad range of conditions in the global context, it is essential to assess the embrittlement mechanisms to which the material may be subjected, especially at low temperatures. This work aimed to evaluate the fracture behavior at low temperatures of two materials: i) a newly developed high-strength, microalloyed weathering steel produced in an initial industrial batch, and ii) ASTM A242 steel. The fracture toughness evaluation utilized the Temperature Transition Curve methodology. Nevertheless, the alternative steel performed worse than the ASTM A242 in the fracture tests. Visual examination on the fracture surfaces of the alternative steel specimens revealed significant delamination, referred to as splits. Metallographic and SEM/EDS analyses revealed numerous voids and vermicular-shaped fissures on the fracture surfaces, along with titanium carbonitride particles that were damaged during the fracture process. The results indicate that the benefits achieved through microalloying and TMCP can be hindered by the formation of large carbonitride particles during the casting stage. These particles, which remain largely unaffected in subsequent production steps, ultimately lead to a significant reduction in fracture toughness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8f7bc1c0eb144d8b279a16e94f855b2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2238-7854 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8f7bc1c0eb144d8b279a16e94f855b22025-08-20T03:41:01ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-05-01362033204110.1016/j.jmrt.2025.03.160Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steelCarlos E.G. Cortopassi0Marcio L.A. Cunha1Vitor S. Barbosa2Maicon M. Leivas3José H. Alano4Kleber E. Bianchi5Henara L. Costa6School of Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália, km 8, bairro Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, BrazilArcelorMittal Global R&D Brazil Centre, Av. Brig. Eduardo Gomes 526, Polo Ind. Tubarão, Serra, ES, BrazilDept. of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BrazilSchool of Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália, km 8, bairro Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, BrazilSchool of Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália, km 8, bairro Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, BrazilSchool of Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália, km 8, bairro Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Corresponding author.School of Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Av. Itália, km 8, bairro Carreiros, Rio Grande, RS, BrazilWeathering steels have been used as structural materials for decades. Nevertheless, steel manufacturers have been forced to develop alternative alloys that offer better mechanical strength while maintaining the toughness and corrosion resistance of conventional weathering steels. This study employed microalloying with carefully selected elements to achieve grain refinement and appropriate corrosion resistance, combined with thermo-mechanical controlled processing (TMCP), to obtain a high-strength weathering steel. However, given the broad range of conditions in the global context, it is essential to assess the embrittlement mechanisms to which the material may be subjected, especially at low temperatures. This work aimed to evaluate the fracture behavior at low temperatures of two materials: i) a newly developed high-strength, microalloyed weathering steel produced in an initial industrial batch, and ii) ASTM A242 steel. The fracture toughness evaluation utilized the Temperature Transition Curve methodology. Nevertheless, the alternative steel performed worse than the ASTM A242 in the fracture tests. Visual examination on the fracture surfaces of the alternative steel specimens revealed significant delamination, referred to as splits. Metallographic and SEM/EDS analyses revealed numerous voids and vermicular-shaped fissures on the fracture surfaces, along with titanium carbonitride particles that were damaged during the fracture process. The results indicate that the benefits achieved through microalloying and TMCP can be hindered by the formation of large carbonitride particles during the casting stage. These particles, which remain largely unaffected in subsequent production steps, ultimately lead to a significant reduction in fracture toughness.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425006702Weathering steelFracture toughnessMaster curveMicroalloyingTitanium carbonitrides |
| spellingShingle | Carlos E.G. Cortopassi Marcio L.A. Cunha Vitor S. Barbosa Maicon M. Leivas José H. Alano Kleber E. Bianchi Henara L. Costa Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steel Journal of Materials Research and Technology Weathering steel Fracture toughness Master curve Microalloying Titanium carbonitrides |
| title | Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steel |
| title_full | Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steel |
| title_fullStr | Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steel |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steel |
| title_short | Effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low-temperature fracture toughness of a high-strength weathering steel |
| title_sort | effect of microalloying and thermomechanical treatment on the low temperature fracture toughness of a high strength weathering steel |
| topic | Weathering steel Fracture toughness Master curve Microalloying Titanium carbonitrides |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425006702 |
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