材料期刊网

The spatial distribution of carbonitride particles in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone (HAZ) of Nb-Ti microalloyed thermomechanical control-processed (TMCP) steels was investigated using a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). It was found that the particles in quenched coarse-grained HAZ were frequently distributed in a nonuniform way, forming clusters and arrays of particles. This nonhomogeneity is defined by the grouping tendency of particles and described by the closeness of the average number density (the mean particle number per unit area) to the average local number density (the mean particle number per unit area, excluding the examined areas without particles). A high concentration of Nb (0.04 mass pet in this article) promoted the formation of carbonitride particle arrays and clusters because of its high segregation tendency at grain and subgrain boundaries during the cooling of a slab. Some of these particles remain undissolved at the peak temperature of a welding thermocycle and may result in sympathetic nucleation of new particles on them. The effectiveness of the particle groups to restrict grain growth is discussed.