Understanding the changes occurring in the mechanical properties during martensite tempering is essential in the development of new industrial grades. The aim of this research was to develop new ultra-high strength steels via nanoprecipitation control, which requires an understanding of the processing-microstructure-property relationship in medium carbon (0.5-0.6 wt.%) steels throughout tempering. Much of the work has been centred in understanding the role of silicon at the precipitation level and in the recovery of martensite. By using an existing spring steel grade, the effect of interrupted ageing (IA) in tempered martensite has been studied. In IA, an intermediate step between quenching and tempering is introduced, where quenched martensite is left to rest at room temperature for a defined period of time. By allowing carbon segregation into dislocation cores, the incorporation of IA resulted in a more stable microstructure and hardness improvement. The effect of silicon in the epsilon to cementite carbide transition has also been studied. The classical nucleation theory was applied in order to model cementite formation under paraequilibrium conditions, thus incorporating silicon during nucleation. Characterisation using high energy X-rays showed the inhibiting effect of silicon in the overall cementite precipitation. The second effect of silicon was observed in the martensite recovery. A series of experiments were carried out in order to capture the various microstructural changes taking place during tempering: precipitation, grain size and dislocation density evolution. It was observed that the addition of silicon reduces the rate of martensite recovery, owing to the reduced cross-slip in the ferrite lattice. A plasticity model based on irreversible thermodynamics and EBSD characterisation was applied to identify the effective grain size. The results from these two techniques require further research. Nevertheless, based on the post-failure analysis by TEM, it appears that at relatively early tempering stages, even low angle lath boundaries can contribute to strengthening, where piled-up dislocations have been observed at lath boundaries.

The timing of Mississippian-period occupations in the North Central Hills physiographic region of Mississippi has been debated. Some researchers believe they occurred in conjunction with Late Woodland period occupations during the Early Mississippian period, while others assert they were later, in either the Late Mississippian or early Protohistoric periods. A program of systematic shovel testing, excavation and frequency seriation was used to delineate Mississippian-period occupations and test the cultural lineage between them and Late Woodland period occupations at nine sites on the Ackerman Unit of the Tombigbee National Forest.

The purpose of this work was to develop a steel tempering model that is useful to the commercial heat treater. Most of the tempering models reported address isothermal conditions which are not typical of most heating methods used to perform the tempering heat treatment. In this work, a non-isothermal tempering model was developed based on the tempering response of four steel alloys. This tempering model employs the quantity resulting from the numerical integration of the time-temperature profiles of both the heating and cooling portions of the tempering cycle. The model provided a very good agreement between experimental and predicted hardness when secondary hardening did not occur. The developed tempering model was then used as the basis for a process simulation model of a large indirect gas-fired furnace. Unlike the small-scale laboratory experiments performed in the development stage of this work, the temperature variation in this furnace was significant. Recording the temperature with time at 29 locations within the furnace allowed for suitable characterization of the temperature variation. The thermal data was used as inputs in a finite element method model and the time – temperature profiles of three production heavy truck side rails were then simulated. The tempering model provided a good prediction of the tempered hardness compared to experimental measurements. Finally, conclusions are drawn and suggestions are made for future work. / Ph. D.

Este trabalho apresenta uma demonstração completa do Teorema de L. Hörmander sobre a divisão de distribuições (temperadas) por polinômios. O caso n=1 é apresentado detalhadamente e serve como motivação para as técnicas utilizadas no caso geral. Todos os pré-requisitos para a demonstração de Hörmander (os Teoremas de Seidenberg-Tarski, de Puiseux e da Extensão de Whitney) são discutidos com detalhes. Como conseqüência do Teorema, segue que todo operador diferencial parcial linear com coeficientes constantes não nulo admite solução fundamental temperada. / This dissertation presents a thorough proof of L. Hörmander\'s theorem on the division of (tempered) distributions by polynomials. The case n=1 is discussed in detail and serves as a motivation for the techniques that are utilised in the general case. All the prerequisites for Hörmander\'s proof (the Theorems of Seidenberg-Tarski, of Puiseux and Whitney\'s Extension Theorem) are discussed in detail. As a consequence of this theorem, it follows that every non zero partial diffe\\-rencial operator with constant coefficients has a tempered fundamental solution.

O aço SAE/AISI 52100 é utilizado para a fabricação de rolamentos como também na fabricação de outras peças e dispositivos como cames de eixo comando de válvulas. Um dos problemas desta liga é a necessidade de revenimentos em temperaturas muito baixas para obtenção de alta dureza e para evitar o fenômeno da fragilização da martensita revenida (FMR), em detrimento da tenacidade. Foi projetada uma nova liga Fe-C-Mn-Si-Cr (AISI/SAE 52100 modificado com 1,74% de Si e 0,96% de Mn) baseada na mesma ideia do aço 300M em relação ao SAE/AISI 4340. O efeito do Si na cinética de precipitação da cementita retarda a fragilização da martensita revenida (FMR), além de aumentar a dureza e mantê-la com valores relativamente altos mesmo quando do revenimento em temperaturas mais altas. A proposta do presente trabalho foi comprovar a resistência desta nova liga frente à FMR e demonstrar a resistência ao amolecimento perante o revenimento (curvas de revenimento). Com o intuito de estudar o efeito do Si na dureza do novo aço, foram elaboradas curvas de revenimento medindo-se essa propriedade em amostras do novo aço e do aço comercial após têmpera em temperaturas de austenitização na faixa de 825ºC e 960ºC, seguida por tratamento criogênico em nitrogênio líquido (-196ºC) durante doze horas e revenidas em temperaturas na faixa de 250ºC a 500ºC. Foram obtidas durezas acima de 60HRC, sendo que o aço modificado chegou a tingir 68HRC, no estado temperado. Foi estudada também a resistência ao amolecimento da nova liga e do aço comercial submetendo amostras em temperaturas constantes na faixa de 350ºC a 450ºC, variando-se o tempo na faixa de uma a dez horas. O aço modificado, após 10 horas em 450ºC, apresentou ainda, dureza de 58HRC. Para determinação das propriedades mecânicas desta nova liga foram realizados ensaios de tração em amostras temperadas e revenidas, comparativamente ao aço SAE/AISI 52100 comercial. Para a realização do estudo da FMR, foram comparados resultados dos ensaios de impacto para o aço SAE/AISI 52100 comercial (0,25%Si) e modificado (1,74%Si). O aço modificado não apresentou o fenômeno da FMR. Foram analisados aspectos microestruturais por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e difração de raios-x. / The SAE/AISI 52100 steel is used for bearing manufacturing and automotive parts like camshafts lobes. A problem with this alloy is the need for low tempering temperature in order to obtain high hardness and to avoid the tempered martensite embrittlement phenomena, compromising the toughness. Based on the same idea as 300M steel regarding SAE/AISI 4340 steel, a new Fe-C-Mn-Si-Cr bearing alloy (AISI 52100 steel, modified with 1.74% Si and 0.96%Mn) was developed. The effect of Si on the kinetics of cementite precipitation leads to a higher temperature of tempered martensite embrittlement (TME) occurrence and keep high hardness values even when the steel is submitted to a higher temperatures tempering or for long time. The purpose of this work was to confirm the new alloy tempered martensite embrittlement (TME) resistance and to verify its softening resistance (tempering curves). Intending to investigate the Si effect on new steel hardness, hardness measurements were performed on modified and commercial steels samples after 825ºC 960ºC austenitization, twelve hours -196ºC cryogenic treatment and 250ºC 500ºC tempering. It was obtained hardness values over 60HRC and the modified steel presented 68HRC as quenched. The new alloy and commercial alloy softening resistance was studied by hardness measurement on samples submitted to 350ºC 450ºC constant temperature tempering in periods of time from one to ten hours. The Si alloyed steel presented 58HRC after 10 hours at 450ºC. For the mechanical characterization of the new alloy, tensile tests were performed in quenched and tempered samples. In the tempered martensite embrittlement study, impact tests results for commercial SAE/AISI 52100 (0.25%Si) and modified (1.74%Si) were compared. The modified steel presented no tempered martensite embrittlement. Microstructural aspects were studied by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis.

O aço SAE/AISI 52100 é utilizado para a fabricação de rolamentos como também na fabricação de outras peças e dispositivos como cames de eixo comando de válvulas. Um dos problemas desta liga é a necessidade de revenimentos em temperaturas muito baixas para obtenção de alta dureza e para evitar o fenômeno da fragilização da martensita revenida (FMR), em detrimento da tenacidade. Foi projetada uma nova liga Fe-C-Mn-Si-Cr (AISI/SAE 52100 modificado com 1,74% de Si e 0,96% de Mn) baseada na mesma ideia do aço 300M em relação ao SAE/AISI 4340. O efeito do Si na cinética de precipitação da cementita retarda a fragilização da martensita revenida (FMR), além de aumentar a dureza e mantê-la com valores relativamente altos mesmo quando do revenimento em temperaturas mais altas. A proposta do presente trabalho foi comprovar a resistência desta nova liga frente à FMR e demonstrar a resistência ao amolecimento perante o revenimento (curvas de revenimento). Com o intuito de estudar o efeito do Si na dureza do novo aço, foram elaboradas curvas de revenimento medindo-se essa propriedade em amostras do novo aço e do aço comercial após têmpera em temperaturas de austenitização na faixa de 825ºC e 960ºC, seguida por tratamento criogênico em nitrogênio líquido (-196ºC) durante doze horas e revenidas em temperaturas na faixa de 250ºC a 500ºC. Foram obtidas durezas acima de 60HRC, sendo que o aço modificado chegou a tingir 68HRC, no estado temperado. Foi estudada também a resistência ao amolecimento da nova liga e do aço comercial submetendo amostras em temperaturas constantes na faixa de 350ºC a 450ºC, variando-se o tempo na faixa de uma a dez horas. O aço modificado, após 10 horas em 450ºC, apresentou ainda, dureza de 58HRC. Para determinação das propriedades mecânicas desta nova liga foram realizados ensaios de tração em amostras temperadas e revenidas, comparativamente ao aço SAE/AISI 52100 comercial. Para a realização do estudo da FMR, foram comparados resultados dos ensaios de impacto para o aço SAE/AISI 52100 comercial (0,25%Si) e modificado (1,74%Si). O aço modificado não apresentou o fenômeno da FMR. Foram analisados aspectos microestruturais por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e difração de raios-x. / The SAE/AISI 52100 steel is used for bearing manufacturing and automotive parts like camshafts lobes. A problem with this alloy is the need for low tempering temperature in order to obtain high hardness and to avoid the tempered martensite embrittlement phenomena, compromising the toughness. Based on the same idea as 300M steel regarding SAE/AISI 4340 steel, a new Fe-C-Mn-Si-Cr bearing alloy (AISI 52100 steel, modified with 1.74% Si and 0.96%Mn) was developed. The effect of Si on the kinetics of cementite precipitation leads to a higher temperature of tempered martensite embrittlement (TME) occurrence and keep high hardness values even when the steel is submitted to a higher temperatures tempering or for long time. The purpose of this work was to confirm the new alloy tempered martensite embrittlement (TME) resistance and to verify its softening resistance (tempering curves). Intending to investigate the Si effect on new steel hardness, hardness measurements were performed on modified and commercial steels samples after 825ºC 960ºC austenitization, twelve hours -196ºC cryogenic treatment and 250ºC 500ºC tempering. It was obtained hardness values over 60HRC and the modified steel presented 68HRC as quenched. The new alloy and commercial alloy softening resistance was studied by hardness measurement on samples submitted to 350ºC 450ºC constant temperature tempering in periods of time from one to ten hours. The Si alloyed steel presented 58HRC after 10 hours at 450ºC. For the mechanical characterization of the new alloy, tensile tests were performed in quenched and tempered samples. In the tempered martensite embrittlement study, impact tests results for commercial SAE/AISI 52100 (0.25%Si) and modified (1.74%Si) were compared. The modified steel presented no tempered martensite embrittlement. Microstructural aspects were studied by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis.

Este trabalho apresenta uma demonstração completa do Teorema de L. Hörmander sobre a divisão de distribuições (temperadas) por polinômios. O caso n=1 é apresentado detalhadamente e serve como motivação para as técnicas utilizadas no caso geral. Todos os pré-requisitos para a demonstração de Hörmander (os Teoremas de Seidenberg-Tarski, de Puiseux e da Extensão de Whitney) são discutidos com detalhes. Como conseqüência do Teorema, segue que todo operador diferencial parcial linear com coeficientes constantes não nulo admite solução fundamental temperada. / This dissertation presents a thorough proof of L. Hörmander\'s theorem on the division of (tempered) distributions by polynomials. The case n=1 is discussed in detail and serves as a motivation for the techniques that are utilised in the general case. All the prerequisites for Hörmander\'s proof (the Theorems of Seidenberg-Tarski, of Puiseux and Whitney\'s Extension Theorem) are discussed in detail. As a consequence of this theorem, it follows that every non zero partial diffe\\-rencial operator with constant coefficients has a tempered fundamental solution.

Specimens of steel 42CrMoS4 were quenched from the austenite (γ) and the ferrite (α) + austenite + cementite phase fields to produce fully martensitic matrices with 0 – 14 % ferrite dispersed in the matrix. After tempering at 300°C or 600°C mechanical and fatigue properties were determined. As expected yield strength, tensile strength and hardness decreased with increased tempering temperature and ferrite content. Quite unexpected, the fatigue properties were mildly affected. A small amount of ferrite, approximately 3% even appears to improve the fatigue strength. Then, at even higher ferrite amounts, slightly below 20% the fatigue strength appears to decrease again.

This study considers the chemical alteration of archaeological freshwater shell above the water table at Lyon's Bluff, located in east-central Mississippi, changes in trace element concentrations between unfired and fired shell, and the effect bacteria have on archaeological freshwater shell. Thin-section petrography, X-ray diffraction, cathodoluminescence, and scanning electron microscopy were conducted on archaeological shell from four layers from Unit 20N20W, with a depth of 80 cm spanning 450 years. ICP-MS analysis was also conducted on a modern freshwater shell. Results of the microscopy indicate pristine crystal structure. ICP-MS data show that certain trace elements within the shell maintain their concentration after firing at 500°C. The broader implications are: 1) that diagenetic alteration does not hinder chemical sourcing of shell at Lyon’s Bluff, and 2) that certain trace elements are more reliable than others, namely Sr2+, Al2+, Ba2+, and Mn2+, when conducting provenance studies on shell temper.

No description available.