See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/321227677

Quantitative Evaluation of Structural Alloy Steel Banded Structure

Article  in  Metallurgist · November 2017

DOI: 10.1007/s11015-017-0532-7

CITATIONS READS
0 740

2 authors, including:

Mikhail Maisuradze
Ural Federal University
91 PUBLICATIONS   180 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Applying the quenching-partitioning heat treatment to massive steel parts View project

Ensuring the reliability of engineering parts by optimization of the chemical composition and development of the environmentally friendly heat treatment
technologies View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Mikhail Maisuradze on 07 December 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

DOI 10.1007/s11015-017-0532-7
Metallurgist, Vol. 61, Nos. 7–8, November, 2017 (Russian Original Nos. 7–8, July–August, 2017)

QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION OF STRUCTURAL

ALLOY STEEL BANDED STRUCTURE

M. V. Maisuradze and O. A. Surnaeva UDC 669.017

Quantitative estimation of structural banding in alloy steels 40KhN2MA, 38KhGMA, and 20KhN3A is
performed. The dependence of anisotropy index according to GOST R 54570 (ASTM E 1268) on the steel
bar diameter and sample selection position is determined. It is shown that there is a direct relationship
between structural banding, specified by the anisotropy index and steel mechanical properties (scatter of
the microhardness values and anisotropy of the impact strength).
Keywords: alloy steel, structural banding, anisotropy index, microhardness, impact strength.

Structural banding is a typical feature of hot-rolled carbon and alloy steels [1–4]. The reason for its development is
chemical liquation of alloying impurity elements during ingot or continuously cast billet crystallization. During dendritic
delta-ferrite crystal growth, regions always form between dendrites with an increased concentration of alloying elements such
as Mn, Cr, Si, etc. [5–7]. Subsequent deformation (hot rolling, forging) and heat treatment lead to structural banding, i.e.,
development of alternating bands containing different phases and structural components, i.e., bands of ferrite in a pearlitic
matrix, bands of martensite in a ferritic or bainitic matrix, etc. [6–9].
Nonuniformity of the microstructure may be a reason for steel mechanical property anisotropy since crack propaga-
tion is facilitated along bands [10]. There are data about the effect of structural banding on steel corrosion resistance [11].
Extensive research conducted in the last decade has made it possible to understand the mechanism of band formation.
Nonetheless, in spite of a qualitative understanding of this problem, suggested processes making it possible to avoid forma-
tion of structural banding or entirely overcome the reason for band formation are not always economically expedient, and in
a number of cases are impossible from the thermodynamic point of view [3, 12, 13].
Currently, there are standards making it possible to evaluate the degree of structural banding within a steel structure,
although the majority of them are based on comparison with standard scales,1–3 which leads to a very rough qualitative esti-
mate of structural inhomogeneity.
In view of this, a quantitative estimate of structural banding may be a key factor making it possible to develop exist-
ing or to develop new algorithms for manufacturing steel rolled product with a reduced level of structural inhomogeneity4
[14–16]. This will also make it possible to connect a numerical characteristic of structural banding with other steel mechanical
and physical property indices, which is very important in selecting materials and providing finished object quality.
Materials studied were industrial alloy structural steels 40KhN2MA, 38KhGMA, and 20KhN3A (Table 1). Steels
were supplied in the form of round hot-rolled product 110–190 mm in diameter after annealing under plant conditions.
In order to study structural banding, specimens with a size of 10 × 10 × 10 mm were selected from three points of
steel 40KhN2MA rolled product cross section: surface, center of the radius, and center. Specimen heat treatment (HT) was

1
GOST 5640–68, Metallographic Method for Evaluating Sheet and Strip Microstructure, Izd. Standartov, Moscow (1988).
2
GOST 801–78, Bearing Steel. Technical Specifications, Izd. Standartov, Moscow (1979).
3
UNI 8449, Classification of Banded Structure in Case Hardening Steels, UNI (1983).
4
ASTM E 1268–01, Standard Practice for Assessing the Degree of Banding or Orientation of Microstructures, ASTM (2001).

Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; e-mail: spirallog@gmail.com, olsu-r@mail.ru. Translated from Metallurg, No. 7, pp. 47–52,
July, 2017. Original article submitted July 12, 2016.

558 0026-0894/17/0708-0558 ©2017 Springer Science+Business Media New York

TABLE 1. Test Structural Steel Chemical Composition, wt.%

Steel, rolled product diameter C Si Mn Cr Ni Mo Cu S P

40KhN2MA, 110–190 mm 0.42 0.29 0.69 0.75 1.44 0.27 0.03 0.003 0.012
38KhGMA, 110 mm 0.35 0.24 0.74 0.90 0.08 0.18 0.21 0.006 0.010
20KhN3A, 110 mm 0.22 0.32 0.40 0.66 2.88 0.07 0.17 0.001 0.000

Fig. 1. Microstructure of surface (a, c) and central (b, d) zones of steel 40KhN2MA rolled product after oil
quenching: a, b) rolled product diam. 110 mm; c, d) rolled product diam. 190 mm.

carried out under laboratory conditions in a SNOL furnace. The heating temperature for hardening was 850ºC, and holding
for 60 min. Cooling was carried out in oil I-20A with a temperature of 30–40ºC.
Quantitative evaluation of structural banding was performed by the GOST R 545705 (ASTM E 12684) standard
procedure. Fifteen fields of view were analyzed in longitudinal microsections selected from different zones of a rolled product
cross section. The field of view was orientated in order that microstructural bands within it were directed strictly vertically.
A test network was applied to this field of view consisting of horizontal and vertical lines. After this, the number of intersec-
tion of light bands of the microstructure with horizontal (Nperp) and vertical (Nparal) lines of the network were counted. On the
basis of the data obtained the anisotropy index AI was calculated for the ratio Nperp/Nparal.
In order to study the impact strength of a number of structural steels, specimens were selected from rolled product
longitudinal and transverse sections so that the stress concentrator was in one zone of the rolled product cross section (center
of the radius) in both longitudinal and transverse specimens. Specimens were heat treated by the following regime: quenched
in oil I20-A from 850ºC (holding time 60 min), tempering at 525ºC (for steels 40KhN2MA and 38KhGMA) and 200ºC (for
steel 20KhN3A) for 3 h. Impact bending tests were carried out in accordance with GOST 9454 in a pendulum impact tester at

5
GOST R 54570–2011, Methods for Evaluating the Degree of Microstructure Banding or Orientation, Standartinform, Moscow (2012).

559
TABLE 2. Specimen Chemical Composition as a Whole and Dark Strips in Rolled Product Microstructure of Steel 40KhN2MA
190 mm in Diameter (central zone)

Element content, wt.%

Specimen region
Si Cr Mn Ni Mo
Dark strips 0.29 0.71 0.60 1.33 0.19
Total 0.29 0.77 0.73 1.45 0.33

Fig. 2. Dependence of anisotropy index for different diameter cross section zones for steel
40KhN2MA rolled product.

room temperature using specimens with a V-shaped concentrator (type 11). Therefore, in specimens orientated along the roll-
ing direction the stress concentrator was arranged across a band, and in specimens orientated across the rolling direction it was
orientated along a band of the microstructure.
Test steel microstructure was studied by means of Meiji 1M7200 and Altami MET-1M optical microscopes at a mag-
nification of ×(5–100). x-Ray microanalysis was performed by means of a Jeol JSM 6490 electron microscope. Microhardness
was determined by the Vickers method using a semi-automatic microhardness tester JVS-1000A with a load on the indenter
of 300–1000 g. Microhardness was measured in bands with differing microstructure. No fewer than 30 measurements were
made for a band of each type.
The change in degree of structural banding was studied in different zones of a rolled product cross section of steel
40KhN2MA in relation to its diameter by the procedure described above. Metallographic study of the structural banding was
carried out on specimens after oil quenching. Within the microstructure of surface and central zones of rolled product of steel
40KhN2MA 110–190 mm in dimeter, alternating bands of martensite of bands with different etching capacity were observed
(Fig. 1).
x-Ray microanalysis carried out for a strip of the central zone of rolled product 190 mm in diameter showed that dark
bands of the microstructure contained such elements as Cr, Ni, Mo, and Mn lower than on average through a specimen (Table 2).
This confirms the liquation nature of structural banding [5]. The different level of alloying of individual bands may lead to a
difference in austenite stability and formation of a nonuniform microstructure during continuous cooling from the austenitiz-
ing temperature, during isothermal treatment, or tempering of steel with a martensitic structure.
It has been established that the rolled product surface zone has a more uniform structure: bands are narrower with
diffuse boundaries. The calculated anisotropy index for surface zones of rolled product 110 mm in diameter AI = 2.6, but for
rolled product 190 mm in diameter AI = 1.6. For the rolled product central zone, there is typically more expressed structural

560
 Fig. 3. Change in impact strength KCV in relation to specimen orientation with respect
to rolling direction (RD).

banding. In this case, bands in the rolled product central zone 110 mm in diameter have a nonlinear curved shape to a greater
extent compared with rolled product 190 mm in diameter. This is connected with a greater degree of deformation for a bar 110 mm
in diameter during hot rolling from an original cast billet. Anisotropy indices for the central zone of rolled product 110 mm in
diameter (AI = 3.8) and 190 mm (AI = 1.7) differ considerably.
On the basis of the data obtained, a dependence was plotted for anisotropy index at different points of a rolled prod-
uct cross section on diameter (Fig. 2). With a reduction in rolled product diameter and consequently an increase in the degree
of deformation during hot rolling, the steel anisotropy index increases. The least increase in anisotropy index is observed in a
rolled product surface zone. This is connected with the fact that metal surface zone deforms most intensely during rolling, and
chemical inhomogeneity, being a reason for structural banding, is reduced to some extent in contrast to deep metal layers.
The tendency of an increase in structural inhomogeneity with an increase in the degree of deformation during rolling
may be explained by the fact that the deformation rate is markedly faster than the alloying element diffusion rate. As a result
of this, during rolling there is compression and extension of regions between dendrites without significant alloying element
redistribution within them, which is a reason for the greater amount of bands and sharper boundaries between bands within
the structure of rolled product of smaller diameter.
The effect of the degree of structural banding on KCV impact strength anisotropy has been studied in specimens for
impact bending tests from hot-rolled round bars 110 mm in diameter of steels 40KhN2MA, 38KhGMA, and 20KhN3A.
Specimens were selected in mutually perpendicular dimensions: in sections along and across the rolling direction.
It has been established that impact strength determined in transverse specimens is lower than in longitudinal specimens
for all test steels (Fig. 3). For longitudinal specimens, the level of impact strength for all steels is quite high and 0.80–1.00 MJ/m2.
In transverse specimens, the level of impact strength is at a minimum for steel 38KhGMA (0.17 MJ/m2), but for steels
40KhN2MA and 20KhN3A impact strength is of the order of 0.50 MJ/m2. Therefore, for steels 40KhN2MA and 20KhN3A
the ratio of impact strength for longitudinal and transverse specimens is 1.6–2.0, but for steel 38KhGMA it is 5.5.
A typical microstructure for specimens of tests steels is given in Fig. 4. It is seen that for steel 38KhGMA there is typi-
cally clear structural banding: bands are different with sharp boundaries. The difference in microhardness was determined in
individual bands: for steel 40KhN2MA it was 30 HV, for steel 38KhGMA it was 52 HV, and for steel 20KhN3A it was 31 HV.
The anisotropy index determined in 15 fields of grains for each of the test steels was 3.7 for steels 40KhN2MA and 20KhN3A,
and 4.6 for steel 38KhGMA.
Therefore, a significant reduction in transverse specimens of 38KhGMA is directly connected with inhomogeneity
(banding) of the microstructure.
These studies have made it possible to connect the relationship of impact strength in longitudinal and transverse
specimens with scatter of hardness values specified by a coefficient of variation, i.e., ratio of mean square deviation of

561
 Fig. 4. Steel 40KhN2MA (a), 38KhGM (b), and 20KhN3A (c) impact bending test specimen microstructure.

Fig. 5. Dependence of hardness value variation coefficient on ratio of impact strength values
in longitudinal specimens to the value of impact strength in transverse specimens.

hardness to average value (Fig. 5). On the curve, the point with the values of variation coefficient equal to zero corresponds
to the ideal case of an absolutely isotropic metal for which impact strength does not depend on specimen orientation with
respect to rolling direction.
Similarly, it is possible to establish a correlation of the ratio of impact strength in longitudinal and transverse speci-
mens with anisotropy index specifying the steel banding structure (Fig. 6). As is seen from the curve, an increase in anisotropy
index by a factor of 1.2 leads to an increase in the ratio of impact strength for longitudinal and transverse specimens by a
factor of three.
Therefore, the dependences revealed make it possible by an indirect mechanical property to evaluate the degree of
metal structural banding, and conversely knowing the structural anisotropy index for a specific rolled product diameter and
melt to determine chemical property anisotropy.
The dependences obtained also determine the direction for further study of the correlation of structural banding with
steel mechanical property anisotropy, which is very important for organizing monitoring of metal product quality in metallur-
gical enterprises, and also for input monitoring of metal product in machine building and other enterprises.
Impact bending tests using specimens selected from rolled product in mutually perpendicular directions is less labor
expensive compared with calculating the anisotropy index and measurements of microhardness for individual bands within
the microstructure, and therefore more desirable for rapid quantitative evaluation of the degree of structural inhomogeneity
under production conditions. However, for optimum introduction and use of procedures, development of control documents

562
 Fig. 6. Dependence of impact strength value ratio in longitudinal specimens to
that in transverse specimens on anisotropy index.

and preparation of stable adequate results it is necessary to accumulate and analyze a considerable amount of experimental
data for different steels, and for different melts with a different degree of structural banding.
Conclusion
1. A quantitative estimate has been made of structural banding through the cross section of rolled product from
110–190 mm in diameter of steel 40KhN2MA. It has been established that with a reduction in rolled product diameter the
anisotropy index increases for a zones of a rolled product section: for the surface, from 1.6 to 2.6; for the center, from 1.7 to
3.8. The anisotropy index increases least of all the within a rolled product surface zone, which is connected with deformation
conditions during hot rolling as a result of which there is partial levelling out of chemical composition and metal individual
structural components.
2. It has been established that impact strength KCV depends on specimen orientation: for orientations along the
rolling direction, impact strength is greater by a factor of 1.6–5.5 than for orientations across the rolling direction.
3. Maximum difference in impact strength of longitudinal and transverse specimens (by a factor of 5.5) is observed
for steel 38KhGMA having both the maximum scatter in microhardness in bands of different structural type (50 HV) and
maximum anisotropy index (4.6).
4. Existence of a relationship between the ratio of values of impact strength in longitudinal and transverse specimens
and coefficient of variation for hardness values, and also anisotropy index, has been established. This will make it possible in
future to expand methods of quantitative evaluation of steel structural banding.
This work was carried out with financial support of Decree No. 211 of the Russian Federation Government (Contract
No. 02.A03.21.0006) within the scope of State Assignment of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science (Project No. 11.1465.
2014/K), and also was supported by RF President Grant for young researchers – candidates of science (MK-7929.2016.8).

REFERENCES

1. J. A. Eckert, H. R. Howell, and S. W. Thompson, “Banding and the nature of large, irregular pearlite nodules in a
hot-rolled low-alloy plate steel: a second report,” J. Mater. Sci., 28, No. 16, 4412–4420 (1993).
2. J. D. Verhoeven, “A review of microsegregation induced banding phenomena in steels,” J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 9,
No. 3, 286–291 (2000).
3. F. G. Caballero, A. García-Junceda, C. Capdevila, et al., “Evolution of microstructural banding during the manufac-
turing process of dual phase steels,” Mater. Trans., 47, No. 9, 2269–2274 (2006).

563
 4. L. Shi, Z. Yan, Y. Liu, et al., “Effect of acicular ferrite on banded structures in low-carbon microalloyed steel,” Int.
J. Miner., Metall. Mater., 21, No. 12, 1167–1174 (2014).
5. G. Krauss, “Solidification, segregation, and banding in carbon and alloy steels,” Metallurg. Mater. Trans. B, 34, No. 6,
781–794 (2003).
6. D. A. Silin, I. N. Veselov, S. Yu. Zhukova, et al., “Microstructure and distribution of chemical elements in continu-
ous-cast pipe blank,” Steel in Transl., 36, No. 4, 86–90 (2006).
7. L. Morales-Rivas, H. Roelofs, S. Hasler, et al., “Detailed characterization of complex banding in air-cooled bainitic
steels,” J. Miner. Metall. B, 51, No. 1, 25–32 (2015).
8. P. Shanmugam and S. D. Pathak, “Some studies on the impact behavior of banded microalloyed steel,” Eng. Fract.
Mechan., 53, 991–995 (1996).
9. F. G. Caballero, J. Chao, J. Cornide, et al., “Toughness deterioration in advanced high strength bainitic steels,” Mater.
Sci. Eng. A, 525, 87–95 (2009).
10. F. D’Errico, “Failures induced by abnormal banding in steels,” J. Fail. Anal. Prevent., 10, No. 5, 351–360 (2010).
11. I. G. Rodionova, A. I. Zaitsev, O. N. Baklanova, et al., “Effect of carbon steel substructural inhomogeneity on cor-
rosion resistance in chlorine-containing media,” Metallurg, No. 9, 38–45 (2015).
12. P. E. J. Rivera-Diaz-del-Castilloand and S. van der Zwaag, “Assuring microstructural homogeneity in dual phase and
trip steels,” Steel Res. Int.., 75, 711–715 (2004).
13. W. Xu, P. E .J. Rivera-Diaz-del-Castilloand, and S. van der Zwaag, “Ferrite/pearlite band prevention in dual phase
and TRIP steels: Model development,” ISIJ Int., 45, 380–387 (2005).
14. C. C. Tasan, J. P. M. Hoefnagels, and M. G. D. Geers, “Microstructural banding effects clarified through micrograph-
ic digital image correlation,” Scripta Mater., 62, 835–838 (2010).
15. B. Krebs, A. Hazotte, L. Germain, et al., “Quantitative analysis of banded structures in dual-phase steels,” Image
Anal. Stereol., 29, 85–90 (2010).
16. A. A. Kazakov, D. V. Kiselev, S. V. Andreeva, et al., “Development of a procedure for quantitative evaluation of the
microstructure of banded low-carbon pipe steels by means of image automatic analysis,” Chern. Met., No. 7–8,
31–37 (2007).

564

View publication stats