Les aciers bainitiques refroidis à l'air libre sont de plus en plus utilisés à la place des aciers martensitiques trempés et revenus pour la réalisation de pièces forgées dans le secteur automobile. Ces aciers permettent la réalisation d'économies significatives de temps et d'argent lors de leur fabrication. Leur résistance mécanique élevée est obtenue grâce à une composition chimique complexe, générant une microstructure multi-échelle et multiphasée lors du refroidissement à l'air libre. Dans un souci d'amélioration continue de cet acier, il devient nécessaire de comprendre plus en profondeur les mécanismes physiques mis en jeu lors de la décomposition de l'austénite. L'objectif principal de cette thèse est de contribuer à cette compréhension en établissant des liens quantitatifs entre la composition chimique, la microstructure et les propriétés mécaniques pour cette gamme d'aciers dans des conditions représentatives du forgeage. L'influence de plusieurs éléments d'alliage sur la microstructure brute de forge, ainsi que quelques synergies entre ces éléments, a été établie grâce à l'étude de diagrammes TRC spécifiques à l'application visée. Les mécanismes de rupture dominants et les paramètres microstructuraux contrôlant la résilience ont été identifiés par l'étude des faciès de rupture, de l'endommagement dans le volume et par des caractérisations microstructurales ciblées. Les contributions respectives de chaque mécanisme classique de durcissement structural ont été déterminées de manière quantitative, sur la base de plusieurs hypothèses et de paramètres microstructuraux. Au passage, des informations précieuses sur le comportement global en traction de ces aciers ont été récoltées grâces à l'étude des mécanismes d'endommagement et de rupture en traction.Tous ces résultats ont permis l'identification des paramètres microstructuraux, comme la taille de paquet bainitique et la fraction de constituants microstructuraux secondaires, qui doivent être pris en considération lors de l'optimisation de la composition chimique. / Air-cooled bainitic steel grades are increasingly being considered as substitutes to quenched & tempered martensitic steels in the realization of automotive forged parts. They allow significant manufacturing cost and time reductions. To compete with martensitic steels, high mechanical strength is provided by a complex chemical composition, leading to a multi-scale and multi-constituent microstructure after air-cooling. In order to optimize such chemical composition, need in rationalization of the steel grade development has emerged.The main aim of this Ph.D project was to build a physically based knowledge of the steel grade by making quantitative links between chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical properties in as-forged condition.The influence of several alloying elements on the as-forged microstructure, as well as some synergies, has been established using relevant CCT diagrams.Dominant fracture mechanisms and controlling microstructural parameters in concern of impact toughness have been identified with the help of comprehensive fracture surface, cross-section observations and targeted quantitative microstructural characterization.The respective contributions to yield strength of classical strengthening mechanisms have been quantitatively determined, based on several hypothesis and the use of several microstructural parameters. At the same, precious information on tensile behaviour has also been deduced from the observation of the fractured tensile test specimens.All these results allow identifying the key microstructural parameters, such as bainitic packet size or secondary microstructural constituents content, that have to be targeted in the alloy design.

Le traitement thermochimique de carbonitruration suivi d’une trempe est couramment utilisé pour améliorer la résistance à l’usure et à la fatigue de pièces mécaniques. Mais les origines de ce gain de propriétés mécaniques ne sont pas bien connues. La thèse a pour objectif de caractériser et modéliser, pour un acier faiblement allié 23MnCrMo5, l’influence de la concentration en carbone et en azote de l’austénite sur les cinétiques de transformations de phases au refroidissement, les microstructures résultantes et les duretés. Dans un premier temps, la démarche expérimentale repose sur l’élaboration d’éprouvettes enrichies de manière homogène par voie thermochimique en carbone, azote et carbone+azote, grâce à un nouveau procédé. Ensuite, les cinétiques de transformation et les évolutions microstructurales sont étudiées par dilatométrie, par diffraction des rayons-X haute énergie in situ (rayonnement synchrotron) et par MET. L’introduction d’azote induit une forte accélération des cinétiques de transformation et des microstructures plus fines notamment dans le domaine haute température (500_C - 700_C), que nous attribuons à la germination de la ferrite sur des nitrures CrN qui précipitent dans l’austénite pendant l’enrichissement. Les duretés sont par ailleurs beaucoup plus élevées que dans des échantillons enrichis en carbone. La DRX in situ a aussi permis d’identifier l’évolution des différentes phases (austénite, ferrite, cémentite, CrN) et leur chronologie pendant la transformation bainitique. Enfin, un modèle de prédiction des cinétiques de transformations de phases est construit pour simuler les profils de microstructures et de duretés dans des couches enrichies en carbone et/ou azote, conduisant à un relativement bon accord entre simulation et expérience / Carbonitriding thermochemical treatments followed by quench are commonly employed to improve wear and fatigue resistance of mechanical parts. However, the origin of this gain of mechanical properties is not well known. The objective of this PhD thesis is to characterize and to model, for a low-alloyed 23MnCrMo5 steel, the influence of austenite carbon and nitrogen concentrations on phase transformations kinetics during cooling. As a first step, the experimental procedure is based on the elaboration of specimens homogeneously enriched in carbon, nitrogen or carbon+nitrogen, thanks to a specifically designed process. Then, phase transformation kinetics and microstructural evolutions are studied by dilatometry, by high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction and by TEM. The introduction of nitrogen induces a strong acceleration of the phase transformation kinetics and much finer microstructures, in particular in high temperature range (500_C - 700_C). We attribute these effects to the nucleation of ferrite on CrN nitrides, which precipitated in austenite during the enrichment. In addition, the hardnesses are much higher than in specimens enriched in carbon. In situ XRD also allowed identifying the evolutions of the different phases (austenite, ferrite, cementite, CrN) and their chronology during the bainitic transformation. Finally, a model to predict the phase transformation kinetics is developed inorder to simulate the microstructure and hardness profiles inside layers enriched in carbon and/or nitrogen, leading to satisfactory agreement between simulation and experiments

La fragilité reconnue des fixations mécaniques conduit à limiter leur utilisation à 1000 MPa afin d'éviter les risquesde rupture fragile par hydrogène, que celui-ci soit d'origine interne ou externe. Connue sur des produits plats defaible épaisseur (clips), la microstructure bainitique obtenue lors de la trempe dans un bain de sels ne présente pasde fragilité liée à l'hydrogène. Cette étude vise à apporter aux industriels les connaissances nécessaires àl'application de ce procédé à des pièces massives.Au-delà de sa résistance à l'hydrogène, seule la microstructure constituée de bainite inférieure peut satisfaire auxexigences de propriétés mécaniques attendues dans les fixations. L'outil d'optimisation de la composition chimiquede l'acier créé permet d'intégrer les critères propres à la transformation de l'austénite en bainite inférieure partrempe isotherme dans un bain de sels mais aussi de prendre en compte l'aptitude de l'acier à être déformé à froidaprès un recuit d'adoucissement préalable.La caractérisation de la sensibilité à l'hydrogène faite sur des goujons après chargement à saturation en hydrogènemontre qu'à 1370 MPa, l'acier à structure bainitique ne présente pas de rupture fragile par l'hydrogène comparé aumême acier à structure martensitique revenue qui est systématiquement fragile. En parallèle, parmi les alliagesternaires Al-Zr-Zn déposés par un procédé de dépôt physique en phase vapeur, il a été possible d'identifier unenuance sacrificielle dont l'effet protecteur vis-à-vis des fixations devra encore faire l'objet d'investigations. / In the objective to prevent brittle fracture due to hydrogen (internal or external origins), the usages of mechanicalfastening parts is restricted above 1000 MPa. As already experienced on low-thickness flat products (clips), thebainitic microstructure generated by salt bath quenching is not subjected to hydrogen embrittlement. The target ofthe present study consists in setting up the required knowledge to extend this process to massive parts.In addition to its resistance to hydrogen, only the lower-bainite microstructure is able to meet the mechanicalpropertyspecifications for fasteners. The optimization tool developed in the present framework, has been designedto integrate the particularities of the austenite to lower bainite transformation in salt bath, as well as the ability tosustain cold forming after annealing treatment.A set of mechanical characterizations has been performed on hydrogen saturated bolts. Under a load of 1370 MPa,the bainitic structure has not shown any sign brittle fracture, while it has systematically been the case for thetempered martensitic structure. Furthermore, among the ternary alloys Al-Zr-Zn that can be deposed in vapor phase,a sacrificial grade presenting a protection effect has been identified. However, this effect must be furtherinvestigated, in order to determine the interest for fastening applications.

Low temperature cleavage fracture behaviour was investigated using four experimental microalloyed bainitic plate steels. The four plate samples were produced by different thermomechanical processing (TMP) schedules and had yield strengths in the range 540 - 670 MPa. Microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD). Quantitative data was obtained for prior austenite grain (PAG) size, volume fractions of two bainite types (conventional bainite and acicular ferrite) and EBSD 15° domain size. Charpy impact tests (using two notch orientations) were carried out over a range of temperatures. Cleavage facet sizes were measured on -196°C Charpy samples. The range of TMP schedules produced variations in PAG width, type of bainite and 15° domain size. The effects of these three microstructural features on cleavage crack propagation are discussed. Results indicate that the microstructures are controlled by i) deformation below TNR and ii) accelerated cooling rate. Domain structure reflects TMP. There is no clear correlation between domain size and cleavage facet size. / Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-07-30 19:17:01.25

Il est crucial de garantir l'intégrité des cuves de réacteurs à eau pressurisée (REP) en cas de fonctionnement accidentel : dans ce contexte, la compréhension et la modélisation des mécanismes de rupture fragile des aciers constituent des éléments décisifs de l'évaluation complexe des durées de vie des cuves.<br /><br />Les modèles d'approche locale de la rupture par clivage constituent l'un des principaux outils de prédiction de la ténacité des aciers faiblement alliés. La dispersion des contraintes à rupture est interprétée comme un effet de la distribution des défauts dans la microstructure, mais l'effet des hétérogénéités mécaniques n'est pas pris en compte. Or, en dessous d'une température de transition de comportement Ta (de l'ordre de 25°C), les mécanismes de déformation sont grandement affectés par la température et la vitesse de déformation.<br /><br />Notre approche consiste à prendre en compte l'effet des hétérogénéités de contraintes dans un critère local d'amorçage du clivage. Les résultats de calculs de microstructure sont utilisés pour proposer une description statistique de l'évolution des distributions de contraintes locales. Cette approche statistique permet de proposer un modèle d'approche locale de la rupture dépendant à la fois des hétérogénéités mécaniques et des distributions de tailles de défauts.<br /><br />Le comportement du matériau et son évolution sont caractérisés aux échelles microscopique et macroscopique dans le domaine de température [25°C,-196°C]. Des essais de traction simple, de sauts de vitesse et de température, et de ténacité sont réalisés.<br /><br />Nous proposons un modèle de comportement micromécanique décrivant le comportement plastique en dessous de la température de transition Ta. La loi de comportement est basée sur les mécanismes de déformation décrits dans la bibliographie et identifiées par méthode inverse à partir des essais mécaniques. Les observations au MET et la caractérisation du comportement activé thermiquement permettent de fixer plusieurs paramètres du modèle.<br /><br />Des simulations sont réalisées afin de modéliser les distributions de contrainte principale Σ1 dans deux microstructures bainitiques correspondant au volume élémentaire de l'approche locale de la rupture. L'effet de la température et de la triaxialité sur l'évolution des hétérogénéités est caractérisé. Nous proposons une fonction de distribution décrivant la distribution des valeurs locales de Σ en fonction des contraintes principales et équivalente <Σ> et <Σmises> moyennes dans la microstructure.<br /><br />Cette fonction est utilisée pour formuler un modèle d'approche locale de la rupture intégrant la distribution des tailles de défauts critiques et les distributions de Σ1.. On montre que dans certains cas, la dispersion des contraintes locales suffit à expliquer les dispersions des contraintes à rupture à l'échelle du volume élémentaire. Les dispersions de contraintes à rupture sont en accord avec celles prédites par le modèle de Beremin. La prise en compte des hétérogénéités mécaniques permet d'introduire une dépendance de la probabilité de rupture en fonction de la température, de la déformation et de la triaxialité. Il reste à appliquer le modèle d'approche locale au calcul d'éprouvettes CT et de comparer les dispersions de ténacités simulées à celles mesurées expérimentalement.

The rolling-sliding dry-wear behaviour of a series of bainitic steels and a standard pearlitic rail steel have been compared over a range of contact stress and creepage conditions applicable to the British Rail network. A rolling-sliding wear machine has been constructed - LEROS - which allows very high contact stresses to be combined with high creepages under well controlled conditions. Materials were tested on LEROS and on an Amsler machine. Limited vibration analyses were carried out on both machines and compared with the frequencies of disc surface periodic undulations. No direct linkage was determined. Despite better standard mechanical properties, the wear resistance of lower carbon bainitic steels was inferior to that of the pearlitic steel. A bainitic steel with the same carbon content as the pearlitic steel wore a little less, but at considerable expense to the pearlitic wheel steel counter-material in the wear couple. The wear resistance of bainitic steels depends upon the volume fraction of hard phase, such as carbide and martensite-austenite phase, for rolling-sliding as well as other types of dry wear loading. Pearlitic steel performs exceptionally well under certain rolling-sliding conditions, such as the majority seen in these tests, since the lamellar microstructure is modified so as to present a greater area fraction of carbide hard phase at the wear surface, a fraction in excess of bulk volume fraction. Recommendations are made for the dry wear applicability of the steels.

Foram realizados ensaios de dilatometria em ligas não comerciais que apresentam microestrutura bainítica após o resfriamento contínuo. As variações de composição química foram realizadas sobre o aço destinado para construção mecânica AISI 5120 com adições de molibdênio, boro e nióbio. Os ensaios foram conduzidos no dilatômetro com atmosfera e temperatura controlada. No dilatômetro, foram aplicados resfriamentos contínuos em diferentes velocidades a partir da temperatura em que normalmente peças forjadas são reaquecidas. Tradicionalmente, a classe dos aços apresentados neste trabalho é exposta ao tratamento térmico de têmpera e revenimento e apresentam microestrutura martensítica. Com o objetivo de eliminar o tratamento térmico realizado pós conformação, foi proposto como substituição os aços bainíticos. Aços bainíticos não exigem tratamento térmico pós conformação e, apenas com a aplicação de um resfriamento controlado, é possível obter uma microestrutura que apresenta propriedades (tensão de escoamento e tenacidade) iguais ou melhoradas em relação ao material temperado e revenido. As microestruturas obtidas nas diferentes ligas resfriadas de maneira contínua foram caracterizadas de modo a estabelecer relações entre a velocidade de resfriamento e produtos formados, morfologia e fração de microconstituíntes. A caracterização microestrutural foi realizada de maneira intensiva de modo a relacionar desde propriedades magnéticas com padrões de difração de raios X das amostras para medição da fração de austenita retida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar qual é a influência do molibdênio, boro e nióbio no resfriamento contínuo de aços bainíticos, bem como estabelecer o intervalo de velocidades de resfriamento em que é possível obter de maneira homogênea a estrutura bainítica. Após o resfriamento, os corpos de prova foram caracterizados por metalografia (microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura), dureza, saturação magnética, difração de raios x e EBSD. De fato foi verificado o efeito do molibdênio, boro e nióbio na cinética de decomposição da austenita no resfriamento contínuo e estabelecido relações entre a microestrutura obtida, velocidade de resfriamento e composição química. Foi observado também o efeito do molibdênio, boro e nióbio em evitar a transformação ferrítica para baixas velocidades de resfriamento de modo a obter uma estrutura bainítica sob um maior intervalo de resfriamento. / Dilatometry tests were carried out in a non commercial alloy that showed bainitic microstructure after continuous cooling from the austenitization temperature. The chemical composition variations were performed on a base chemical composition of a commercial steel (AISI 5120), additions were of molybdenum, boron and niobium. The tests were conducted on the dilatometer with atmosphere and temperature control. In the dilatometer, continuous cooling was carried out at different rates from the temperature in which the reheating of forged parts is usually performed. Traditionally, the steels used for this application are quenched and tempered and present a predominantly tempered martensite microstructure; bainitic steels were proposed as a substitution in order to eliminate further heat treatments after forging. The bainitic steels do not require post-conformation heat treatment: only with the application of a controlled continous cooling is possible to obtain a homogenous bainitic microstructure which has equal or improved properties (yield strength and toughness) comparing to quenched and tempered material. The microstructures obtained from the different alloys continuously cooled were characterized in order to establish relations between the cooling rate and formed products, morphology and volume fraction of phases. The microstructural characterization was carried out intensively and correlated with magnetic properties and X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples. The objectives of this work were to investigate the influence of molybdenum, boron and niobium on the continuous cooling of bainitic steels, as well as to establish the range of cooling rates needed in order to obtain an homogeneous bainitic structure. After cooling, the specimens were characterized by metallography (optical and scanning electron microscopy), hardness, magnetic saturation, x-ray diffraction and EBSD. The effect of molybdenum, boron and niobium on the kinetics of austenite decomposition in the continuous cooling was verified and relationships established between the microstructure, cooling rate and chemical composition. It was also observed the effect of molybdenum, boron and niobium in avoiding ferritic transformation at low cooling rates in order to obtain a bainitic structure under a longer cooling interval.

Nuclear reactor pressure vessels are constructed by welding low alloy steel forgings together. Welding processes can leave residual stresses which affect the RPV's resistance to fracture. Welding also induces microstructural changes and these changes have a number of associated consequences, including inelastic strains and altering mechanical properties. The extent to which these microstructural changes influence residual stress evolution during welding is not fully understood. The aim of this project is to characterise the microstructural and mechanical response of SA-508 Gr.3 Cl.1 pressure vessel steel to thermal cycles and develop representative models that can be used to determine how these effects influence stress predictions. There is insufficient materials data to inform the models used to predict how phase transformations influence residual stresses. Using the recently developed Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulator, previously unmeasured data characterising the response of the material to weld-like thermal cycles was generated. Variations in the kinetics of austenite formation and decomposition were investigated using dilatometry. It was found that when the steel is subjected to multiple thermal cycles that exceed the austenisation temperature, the behaviour during the first thermal cycle is different to that of subsequent cycles. In the subsequent thermal cycles, two observations were made: 1) the austenite formation rate increases on heating, and 2) for a given cooling rate, the austenite will decompose at lower temperatures into harder phases. It is explained how these changes in behaviour can affect the residual stress distribution in this thesis. Bainitic, austenitic and martensitic samples were generated. The stress-strain behaviour of these phases is presented and has been used to inform mechanical constitutive models. Finite element simulations of autogenous edge welded beams have shown how microstructural changes can affect the residual stress predictions. The extent of the transformed region of the HAZ and the yield stress of the material surrounding this region influences the location and magnitude of the peak tensile residual stress after a weld pass. Changes in mechanical properties induced by tempering bainitic and martensitic samples were quantified experimentally. The reductions in yield stress in bainite and martensite during short tempering heat treatments were found to be significant. A new approach to integrate the observed tempering behaviour into existing models is presented. The data and models presented in this thesis can provide guidance to structural integrity engineers and help produce more accurate and less conservative residual stress predictions for use in structural integrity assessments.

Este trabalho está inserido em um projeto que procura estudar a viabilidade técnica da aplicação de um relativamente novo conceito de tratamento térmico, chamado de Têmpera e Partição (T&P), como alternativa para o processamento de ferros fundidos nodulares com alta resistência mecânica. O processo T&P tem por objetivo a obtenção de microestruturas multifásicas constituídas de martensita e austenita retida, estabilizada em carbono. A martensita confere elevada resistência mecânica, enquanto a austenita confere ductilidade. No processo T&P, após a austenitização total ou parcial da liga, o material é temperado até uma temperatura de têmpera TT entre as temperaturas Ms e Mf para produzir uma mistura controlada de martensita e austenita. Em seguida, na etapa de partição, o material é mantido isotermicamente em uma temperatura igual ou mais elevada (denominada temperatura de partição TP) para permitir a partição de carbono da martensita para a austenita. O carbono em solução sólida diminui a temperatura Ms da austenita, estabilizando-a à temperatura ambiente. O presente trabalho procurou estudar aspectos de transformações de fases -- com ênfase na evolução microestrutural e cinética das reações -- do tratamento térmico de Têmpera e Partição (T&P) aplicado a uma liga de ferro fundido nodular (Fe-3,47%C-2,47%Si-0,2%Mn). Tratamentos térmicos consistiram de austenitização a 880 oC por 30 min, seguido de têmpera a 140, 170 e 200 oC e partição a 300, 375 e 450 oC por até 2 h. A caracterização microestrutural foi feita por microscopia óptica (MO), eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de elétrons retroespalhados (EBSD) e análise de microssonda eletrônica (EPMA). A análise cinética foi feita por meio de ensaios de dilatometria de alta resolução e difração de raios X in situ usando radiação síncrotron. Resultados mostram que a ocorrência de reações competitivas -- reação bainítica e precipitação de carbonetos na martensita -- é inevitável durante a aplicação do tratamento T&P à presente liga de ferro fundido nodular. A cinética da reação bainítica é acelerada pela presença da martensita formada na etapa de têmpera. A reação bainítica acontece, a baixas temperaturas, desacompanhada da precipitação de carbonetos e contribui para o enriquecimento em carbono, e consequente estabilização, da austenita. Devido à precipitação de carbonetos na martensita, a formação de ferrita bainítica é o principal mecanismo de enriquecimento em carbono da austenita. A microssegregação proveniente da etapa de solidificação permanece no material tratado termicamente e afeta a distribuição da martensita formada na etapa de têmpera e a cinética da reação bainítica. Em regiões correspondentes a contornos de célula eutética são observadas menores quantidades de martensita e a reação bainítica é mais lenta. A microestrutura final produzida pelo tratamento T&P aplicado ao ferro fundido consiste de martensita revenida com carbonetos, ferrita banítica e austenita enriquecida estabilizada pelo carbono. Adicionalmente, foi desenvolvido um modelo computacional que calcula a redistribuição local de carbono durante a etapa de partição do tratamento T&P, assumindo os efeitos da precipitação de do crescimento de placas de ferrita bainítica a partir da austenita. O modelo mostrou que a cinética de partição de carbono da martensita para a austenita é mais lenta quando os carbonetos precipitados são mais estáveis e que, quando a energia livre dos carbonetos é suficientemente baixa, o fluxo de carbono acontece da austenita para a martensita. A aplicação do modelo não se limita às condições estudadas neste trabalho e pode ser aplicada para o planejamento de tratamentos T&P para aços. / The present work belongs to a bigger project whose main goal is to study the technical feasibility of the application of a relatively new heat treating concept, called Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P), as an alternative to the processing of high strength ductile cast irons. The aim of the Q&P process is to obtain multiphase microstructures consisting of martensite and carbon enriched retained austenite. Martensite confers high strength, whereas austenite confers ductility. In the Q&P process, after total or partial austenitization of the alloy, the material is quenched in a quenching temperature TQ between the Ms and Mf temperatures to produce a controlled mixture of martensite and austenite. Next, at the partitioning step, the material is isothermally held at a either equal or higher temperature (so called partitioning temperature TP) in order to promote the carbon diffusion (partitioning) from martensite to austenite. The present work focus on the study of phase transformations aspects -- with emphasis on the microstructural evolution and kinetics of the reactions -- of the Q&P process applied to a ductile cast iron alloy (Fe-3,47%C-2,47%Si-0,2%Mn). Heat treatments consisted of austenitization at 880 oC for 30 min, followed by quenching at 140, 170, and 200 oC and partitioning at 300, 375 e 450 oC up to 2 h. The microstructural characterization was carried out by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The kinetic analysis was studied by high resolution dilatometry tests and in situ X-ray diffraction using a synchrotron light source. Results showed that competitive reactions -- bainite reaction and carbides precipitation in martensite -- is unavoidable during the Q&P process. The bainite reaction kinetics is accelerated by the presence of martensite formed in the quenching step. The bainite reaction occurs at low temperatures without carbides precipitation and contributes to the carbon enrichment of austenite and its stabilization. Due to carbides precipitation in martensite, growth of bainitic ferrite is the main mechanism of carbon enrichment of austenite. Microsegregation inherited from the casting process is present in the heat treated material and affects the martensite distribution and the kinetics of the bainite reaction. In regions corresponding to eutectic cell boundaries less martensite is observed and the kinetics of bainite reaction is slower. The final microestructure produced by the Q&P process applied to the ductile cast iron consists of tempered martensite with carbides, bainitic ferrite, and carbon enriched austenite. Additionally, a computational model was developed to calculate the local kinetics of carbon redistribution during the partitioning step, considering the effects of carbides precipitation and bainite reaction. The model showed that the kinetics of carbon partitioning from martensite to austenite is slower when the tempering carbides are more stable and that, when the carbides free energy is sufficiently low, the carbon diffuses from austenite to martensite. The model is not limited to the studied conditions and can be applied to the development of Q&P heat treatments to steels.

Diversos componentes mecânicos como engrenagens, rolamentos, cilindros de laminação, trilhos e rodas de trem sofrem uma determinada solicitação conhecida por fadiga de contato, que consiste em uma solicitação causada pela tensão gerada entre o contato de dois corpos sob a ação de uma carga cíclica. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a resistência a esta solicitação para um aço ferramenta com microestruturas martensíticas e bainíticas. Para isto, foi utilizado um equipamento na configuração esfera contra plano, onde as esferas foram confeccionadas em material comercial ABNT 52100 e os discos em aço ferramenta tratados termicamente para obtenção de microestruturas martensíticas e bainíticas. Os ensaios foram realizados com a aplicação de uma pressão máxima de contato de 4,8 GPa até que ocorresse a falha por microlascamento da superfície do disco. Os resultados de vida em fadiga destes materiais foram apresentados por uma distribuição de Weibull que demonstraram uma maior resistência do material bainítico. Os resultados apresentados para ambas as microestruturas demonstraram que as falhas se iniciaram predominantemente na sub-superfície, atendendo as premissas iniciais do trabalho que buscava uma baixa ocorrência de falhas superficiais prematuras ocasionadas por possíveis inclusões, defeitos ou poros superficiais que agiriam como um concentrador de tensões, levando a uma falha antes que efetivamente as características físicas e metalúrgicas das microestruturas sejam testadas. / Several mechanical components such as gears, bearings, rolling mill rolls, rails and train wheels suffer a particular request known to contact fatigue, which consists of a request caused by the tension generated between the contact of two bodies subjected to a cyclic loading. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance to this request for tool steel with bainitic and martensitic microstructures. For this, was used a machine in the configuration ball against flat washer, where balls were made of commercial material ABNT 52100 and flat washer in tool steel heat-treated to obtain martensitic and bainitic microstructures. The tests were performed by applying a maximum contact pressure of 4.8 GPa until the failure by micro-spalling on the disk surface or subsurface. The results of the fatigue life of those materials were presented by a Weibull distribution that showed a better resistance to the bainitic material to this request. The results presented for both microstructures showed that the failures were initiated predominantly sub-surface, given the initial goals of the work, as evidenced by the low occurrence of premature superficial failures possibly caused by inclusions, pores or surface defects that would act as a stress concentrator leading to a premature failure before the physical and metallurgical microstructures characteristics were really tested.