Design and microstructural evaluation of low-density steels with high elasticity modulus

• Grant number: 23/13959-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Barcelos Otani
• Grantee: Marcela Stahlberg Oliveira
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/06077-2 - Optimization of Low-Density Steels by Laser Remelting: Effects on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Advanced high-strength steels have been proposed in response to the automotive industry's demands, focusing on the potential improvement of energy efficiency through the reduction of the structural weight. Low-density steels are a significant class of alloys within this scope, as they have the potential to exhibit outstanding combinations of mechanical properties combined with lower density due to the addition of aluminum. However, one of the primary limitations in the use of these materials is their lower elasticity modulus due to these additions. Within this context, another class of steels that has been proposed are high modulus steels. This behavior is achieved through the addition of intermetallic particles in the matrix to reinforce the material. The main particle used is titanium diboride (TiB2); however, it requires strict compositional and solidification control to prevent a significant reduction in the alloy's ductility. The objective of this study is to design a low-density steel with varying TiB2 content in the matrix and assess its potential for increasing the specific elastic modulus. To achieve this, samples will be manufactured using an electric arc furnace followed by hot rolling and heat treatment. Mechanical properties will be evaluated through non-destructive testing and conventional tensile tests.