Superior Strength-Ductility Synergy in Fe-28Mn-8Al-1C Lightweight Steel via Cryogenic Supersonic Fine Particle Bombardment
摘要
Surface nano-crystallization treatment of Fe-28Mn-8Al-1C lightweight steel are realized by a cryogenic supersonic fine particle bombardment (CSFPB) technique. Optimal processing procedures were obtained by systematically investigating the effects of gas pressure and impact time on the surface integrity, microstructure and mechanical properties. Good surface integrity and small roughness have been obtained due to the low-temperature lubrication effect by liquid nitrogen, compared with room temperature SFPB. A gradient structure, i.e., nanosized grains at the surface, dislocation substructures and twins at subsurface, and undeformed matrix, form in the steel by means of CSFPB. Correspondingly, the microstructure-related microhardness decreases from surface onwards to matrix. Further detailed analysis reveals the deformation is coordinated via slip of dislocation and deformation twins. Deformation layer thickness increases monotonically with increases in gas pressure and impact time. Strengths of the CSFPBed steels are significantly enhanced, and the highest is achieved at 1.0 MPa gas pressure and 90 s impact time. Surface microcracks presenting on the surface due to higher gas pressure of longer impact time reduce the strengths, as these microcracks could act at nucleation sites for cracks that lead to failure. Nevertheless, the excellent plasticity of the steel retains even after CSFPB. The developed CSFPB methodology in this work can be a promising alternative for surface nano-crystallizations of alloys.