Rheological Characteristics of Fe-C-Cr(Ni) Alloys

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Understanding the high-temperature rheological properties of low-alloy steels is crucial for optimizing casting and forming processes.
• Fe-C-Cr and Fe-C-Ni based steels are widely used in various industrial applications, necessitating detailed characterization of their behavior under extreme conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rheological properties of Fe-C-Cr and Fe-C-Ni based low-alloy steels up to 1550 °C.
• To determine liquidus temperatures, evaluate flow and viscosity curves, and analyze the temperature dependence of dynamic viscosity.
• To understand the influence of varying chromium, nickel, and carbon content on these properties.

Main Methods:

• High-temperature rotational viscometry using an Anton Paar instrument.
• Experimental determination of liquidus temperatures, flow curves, and dynamic viscosity.
• Analysis of experimental data using the Herschel-Bulkley model.
• Microstructural characterization via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis.
• Phase composition determination using JMatPro 12.0 simulation software.

Main Results:

• Dynamic viscosity decreases with increasing nickel content and increases with increasing carbon and chromium content.
• The Herschel-Bulkley model provided a good fit for the experimental flow curve data.
• SEM and EDX analyses confirmed minimal microstructural changes between original and remelted samples.
• JMatPro simulations were used to determine the phase composition of selected steel samples.

Conclusions:

• The rheological behavior of Fe-C-Cr and Fe-C-Ni based low-alloy steels is significantly influenced by their chemical composition, particularly nickel, chromium, and carbon content.
• The Herschel-Bulkley model is suitable for describing the flow behavior of these steels at high temperatures.
• High-temperature rheological data and microstructural analysis are essential for predicting and controlling steel behavior during processing.