Experimental and numerical investigation of the steel X210Cr12 Forming in Semi-Solid State

Abstract

Semi-solid forming processes belong to the progressive technologies which can be exploited for the manufacturing products with complicated shapes and special material and utility properties. Semi-solid metal forming takes place at temperatures between solidus and liquidus combining the advantages of metal forging and metal casting processes. The paper is focused on the analysis of microstructures and phase composition of the X210Cr12 steel identified in the thin-walled products after forming in semi-solid state. Microstructure of the X210Cr12 steel after rapid cooling and solidification from semi-solid state is formed by quasi-globular grains of metastable austenite surrounded by carbides and fine eutectics. The fraction of metastable austenite in structure was found to be 96 % exhibiting the thermal stability up to the temperature of 500 °C. Along with experimental study, the numerical analysis of the material flow during a die cavity filling was carried out using developed 2D simulation model taking into account one-phase non-newtonian flow. © (2011) Trans Tech Publications.