Design and evaluation of the mechanical properties of high modulus low-density steel - with formation of TiB2 in situ - processed by additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy

• Grant number: 20/05049-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: May 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Claudemiro Bolfarini
• Grantee: André Luiz Vidilli
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/11309-0 - The study, development and application of a hybrid process: Additive Manufacturing (AM) plus High Speed Machining/Grinding (HSM/G), AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/11537-1 - Processing and characterization of nanostructured lightweight steels reinforced with TiB2 by additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS) were developed thanks to the automobile industry's demand for materials with high specific resistance, capable of increasing energy efficiency and reducing the emission of polluting gases by reducing the vehicle weight. In this context, the low-density steels from the FeMnAlC system emerged, which, in addition to the lower specific mass than conventional steels, exhibit excellent ductility, due to the plasticity induced mechanisms and the high capacity to store dislocations during plastic deformation. The low-density is due to the presence of some alloying elements, such as Al and C, which promote an increase of the lattice parameter. However, Al is also responsible for reducing the elastic modulus of the steel, thus limiting its applications. In this context, the addition of ceramic particles, mainly titanium diboride, in metallic matrices has been shown to be an efficient method to increase the elastic modulus without affecting ductility. Although the literature is still limited, the published works were centered on the Fe-TiB2 system. From all the above, the present project aims to evaluate the effect of the introduction of TiB2 in the FeMnAlC matrix. The most promising composition among the four selected for initial studies will be processed by additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy, since the properties obtained by conventional routes were not satisfactory. The structural characterization will be performed by XRD, SEM and MET, and the mechanical characterization, by monotonic tests and by the impulse excitation technique. (AU)