Specification
NON-HEAT TREATED STEEL FOR NITROCARBURIZING AND
NITROCARBURIZED COMPONENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present invention relates to a non-heat treated steel for
nitrocarburizing and a nitrocarburized component. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a component that is used after carrying out a
nitrocarburizing, such as a crankshaft, which is an engine component for
automobiles, construction machines and so on (hereinafter, referred to as a
"nitrocarburized component"), and also relates to a steel for nitrocarburizing
that is used suitably as a starting material for the said component without a
heat treatment such as "quenching-tempering", "normalizing^', "annealing" and
so on after being rolled (hereinafter, referred to as a "non-heat treated steel for
nitrocarburizing"). StiU more particularly, the present invention relates to a
nitrocarburized component having a high bending fatigue strength of 600 MPa
or more and an excellent straightenabiUty, and also relates to a non-heat
treated steel for nitrocarburizing that is used suitably as a starting material
for a nitrocarburized component being required straightening operations, and
is capable of providing the aforementioned characteristics to the
nitrocarburized component under various nitrocarburizing conditions, in
particular even when water cooling is carried out in the cooling step after
nitrocarburizing.
[0002]
The "straightenabiUty" described above means a property that when the
straightening operations are carried out in the finishing step after the
nitrocarburizing, no crack occurs in a nitrocarburized layer on the surface of
the nitrocarburized component until the bending displacement becomes large.
BACKGROUND ART
.^.
z
[0003]
A component being required a high bending fatigue strength and wear
resistance, including a crankshaft for automobiles, construction machines and
so on, is often manufactured by subjecting the component to surface hardening
treatments such as induction hardening, nitrocarburizing and so on in a
non-heat treated state after being formed into a predetermined component
rough shape by hot forging and machining.
[0004]
Among the surface hardening treatments mentioned above, the
nitrocarburizing has a major feature such that the strain occurring at the time
of surface hardening treatment is smaller than the strain at the time of the
induction hardening.
[0005]
Therefore, in particular, a component such as a crankshaft is often
subjected to the nitrocarbiu-izing; however, even in the case of the said
nitrocarburizing, the strain cannot be entirely prevented from occurring.
[0006]
Therefore, with regard to the nitrocarbiu'ized component in which strain
has occurred on account of the nitrocarburizing, the strain has been removed by
straightening operations in the finishing step after the nitrocarburizing.
[0007]
However, if the nitrocarburized component the outer layer of which has
been hardened excessively is subjected to straightening operations, cracks
sometimes occur in the nitrocarburized layer on the surface. If cracks occur in
the nitrocarburized layer, the bending fatigue strength that the nitrocarburized
component had inherently before the straightening operations decreases
significantly. In particular, in the case where treatments in which the cooHng
rate is high, such as water cooling, is carried out in the cooling step after the
2)
nitrocarburizing, the outer layer hardness of the nitrocarburized component
becomes high, so that the reduction in straightenabiHty is unavoidable.
Therefore, the nitrocarburized component is required to also have an excellent
straightenabiHty.
[0008]
On the other hand, in some cases, only the water-cooling treatment can
be carried out in the cooling step after the nitrocarburizing from the viewpoint
of safety and restriction of equipment.
[0009]
Therefore, there have been demanded a nitrocarburized component that
steadily has a high bending fatigue strength and an excellent straightenability
even in the case of not only being oil cooled but also being water cooled in the
cooling step after the nitrocarburizing, and a non-heat treated steel for
nitrocarburizing that is suitable as a starting material for the nitrocarburized
component.
[0010]
Conventionally, both of the high bending fatigue strength and the
excellent straightenability have been attained in the nitrocarburized
component even in a non-heat treated state by containing an expensive alloying
element such as Mo. On the other hand, from the industrial world, there has
arisen an increasing demand for providing a high bending fatigue strength and
an excellent straightenability to the nitrocarburized component without
containing an expensive alloying element as far as possible to save the material
cost.
[0011]
Accordingly, in order to meet the demand mentioned above, a "non-heat
treated steel for nitrocarburizing" is disclosed in the Patent Literature 1, and in
4-
addition a "nitrocarburized non-heat treated steel member" is disclosed in the
Patent Literature 2.
[0012]
To be concrete, the Patent Literature 1 discloses a "non-heat treated steel
for nitrocarburizing" characterized in that the steel consists of, by mass percent,
C: 0.2 to 0.6%, Si: 0.05 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.25 to 1.0%, S'- 0.03 to 0.2%, Cr: 0.2% or
less, s-Al: 0.045% or less, Ti: 0.002 to 0.010%, N: 0.005 to 0.025%, and 0: 0.001
to 0.005%, and further according to need one kind or two or more kinds of Pb:
0.01 to 0.40%, Ca: 0.0005 to 0.0050%, and Bi: 0.005 to 0.40%, and satisfying the
conditions of [0.12 x Ti < O < 2.5 x Ti] and [0.04 x N < O < 0.7 x N], and the
balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein the microstructure after hot
forging is a composite microstructure of ferrite and pearhte.
[0013]
The Patent Literature 2 discloses a "nitrocarburized non-heat treated
steel member" characterized in that the steel member consists of a non-heat
treated steel having a nitrocarburized layer on the surface thereof and also
having a ferrite plus pearlite microstructure in a steel cross-sectional structure
excluding the nitrocarburized layer, the composition of the said steel containing,
in addition to Fe contained as a main component, by mass percent, C: 0.30 to
0.50%, Si: 0.05 to 0.30%, Mn: 0.50 to 1.00%, S: 0.03 to 0.20%, Cu: 0.05 to 0.60%,
Ni: 0.02 to 1.00%, and Cr: 0.05 to 0.30%, and further according to need one or
both of (1) Ti: 0.0020 to 0.0120%, N: 0.0050 to 0.0250%, and O: 0.0005 to 0.008%
and (2) Ca: 0.0005 to 0.0050%, wherein, when the contents of Cu, Ni and Cr are
taken as WCu, WNi, and WCr, respectively, and when composition parameters
Fl and F2 are taken as Fl = 185WCr + 50Wcu and F2 = 8 + 4WNi + 1.5WCu -
44WCr, respectively, [Fl > 20] and [F2 > O] are satisfied.
LIST OF PRIOR ART DOCUMENT
PATENT LITERATURES
-^-
s
[0014]
Patent Literature l: JP 2002-226939 A
Patent Literature % JP 2007-197812 A
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0015]
In the technique disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Literature 1, the
bending fatigue strength does not reach 600 MPa. Moreover, in the Patent
Literature 1, the cooling method in the coohng step after the nitrocarburizing is
not described at aU.
[0016]
As in the Patent Literatua-e 1, in the technique disclosed in the Patent
Literature 2 as well, the bending fatigue strength does not reach 600 MPa, and
moreover, the cooling method in the cooling step after the nitrocarburizing is
not described.
[0017]
Accordingly, the objectives of the present invention are to provide a
nitrocarburized component steadily having a high bending fatigue strength of
600 MPa or more and an excellent straightenability under the nitrocarbvirizing,
in particular even when water cooling is carried out in the cooling step after
nitrocarburizing, and a non-heat treated steel for nitrocarburizing that is
suitable as a starting material for the nitrocarburized component.
MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS
[0018]
In order to solve the above problems, the present inventors conducted
various studies. As a result, the items of (a) to (c) described below were
clarified.
[0019]
(o
(a) Mn (manganese) is an element that can give a high bending fatigue
strength to the nitrocarburized component at a low cost without adding an
expensive alloying element such as Mo and V.
[0020]
(b) However, if Mn is contained in the steel, much nitrogen intrudes into
the outer layer at the time of nitrocarburizing, so that the outer layer of the
nitrocarburized component hardens excessively, and thus the straightenability
is liable to degrade.
[0021]
(c) Cr (chromium) is contained in the steel as an impurity, and the
content thereof has a great influence on the bending fatigue strength and
straightenabiHty of the nitrocarburized component.
[0022]
Accordingly, the present inventors conducted further studies. As a
result, the following findings (d) to (i) were obtained.
[0023]
(d) By controlling the content of Mn so as to be low, the outer layer of
nitrocarburized component can be restrained fi-om hardening excessively, and
the straightenability can be prevented fi*om degrading. In this case, however,
the bending fatigue strength decreases.
[0024]
(e) Even if the content of Mn is high, if a steel in which the content of C is
controlled so as to be in a specific range is used, a high bending fatigue strength
and an excellent straightenability can be given to the nitrocarburized
component.
[0025]
(£) By controlling the content of Cr, which is contained as an impurity, so
as to be low, the outer layer of nitrocarburized component can be restrained
^ -
from hardening excessively, and the straightenability can be prevented from
degrading.
[0026]
(g) If a specific amount of Al is contained, the diffusion layer depth can be
increased while restraining the outer layer of nitrocarburized component from
hardening excessively. Thereby, a high bending fatigue strength and an
excellent straightenability can be given to the nitrocarbiu-ized component.
[0027]
(h) By controlling the contents of C, Mn, Cr and Al so as to be in a very
proper range, under various nitrocarbiirizing conditions, in particular even
when water cooling is carried out in the cooling step after nitrocarburizing, the
diffusion layer depth can be increased while the outer layer of nitrocarburized
component is restrained from hardening excessively.
[0028]
(i) Mn not only strengthens the outer layer by increasing the amount of
dissolved nitrogen but also strengthens the outer layer by forming fine Mn
nitrides. To be concrete, in the case where nitrocarburizing is carried out by
using a non-heat treated steel having a raised Mn content, plate-shaped fine
ri-Mn3N2 having a thickness of 5 nm or less and a width of 200 nm or less
precipitates, while keeping a coherent state, in the ferrite of a composite
microstructure of ferrite and pearlite (hereinafter, referred to as a
"ferrite-pearlite structure") which forms the diffusion layer. A fine
plate-shaped precipitate coherently precipitating in the ferrite, which is a
matrix, as described above improves the strength of nitrocarburized component,
and contributes to the improvement in the bending fatigue strength. The
precipitation of this fine plate-shaped precipitate almost finishes during the
time of being held at high temperatures at the time of nitrocarburizing, so that
the influence of the cooling rate in the cooling step after nitrocarburizing is
small. Therefore, even if water cooling treatment is performed in the cooling
step after nitrocarburizing, a high bending fatigue strength and an excellent
straightenabihty can be given steadily to the nitrocarburized component.
[0029]
The present invention has been accompUshed on the basis of the
aforementioned findings. The main points of the present invention are the
non-heat treated steel for nitrocarburizing shown in the following (l) and the
nitrocarburized component shown in the following (2).
[0030]
(1) A non-heat treated steel for nitrocarburizing characterized in that the
steel has a chemical composition consisting of, by mass percent, C: 0.25% or
more to less than 0.35%, Si: 0.15 to 0.35%, Mn: 0.85 to 1.20%, S: 0.10% or less,
Al: more than 0.010% to 0.030% or less, Ti: 0.003 to 0.020%, and N: 0.010 to
0.024%, and the balance of Fe and impurities, wherein P and Cr among the
impurities are P: 0.08% or less and Cr^ 0.10% or less respectively, and further
the PI and the P2 expressed by the formulas (l) and (2) are PI > 0.96 and P2 >
0.90 respectively:
PI = 0.02C + 0.22Mn + 0.87Cr + 0.85A1 + 0.72 ... (1),
P2 = 2.40C - 0.54Mn - 9.26Cr - O.OIAI + 1.59 ... (2),
wherein each symbol C, Mn, Cr and Al in the above formulas (l) and (2)
represents the content by mass percent of the element concerned.
[0031]
(2) A nitrocarburized component characterized in that the component in
which the chemical composition of the matrix thereof consisting of, by mass
percent, C: 0.25% or more to less than 0.35%, Si: 0.15 to 0.35%, Mn: 0.85 to
1.20%, S: 0.10% or less, Al: more than 0.010% to 0.030% or less, Ti: 0.003 to
0.020%, and N: 0.010 to 0.024%, and the balance of Fe and impurities, wherein
P and Cr among the impiirities are P: 0.08% or less and Cr: 0.10% or less
^ -
respectively, and further the PI and the P2 expressed by the formulas (l) and
(2) are PI > 0.96 and P2 > 0.90 respectively, wherein, further the diffusion layer
thereof consists of a ferrite-pearlite structure, and the number of plate-shaped
precipitates having a thickness of 5 nm or less and a width of 200 nm or less,
which have precipitated in the ferrite, is 130 to 250/|j.m2:
PI = 0.02C + 0.22Mn + 0.87Cr + 0.85A1 + 0.72 ... (l),
P2 = 2.40C - 0.54Mn - 9.26Cr - O.OIAI + 1.59 ... (2),
wherein each symbol C, Mn, Cr and Al in the above formulas (l) and (2)
represents the content by mass percent of the element concerned.
[0032]
The term "impvirities" so referred to in the phrase "the balance of Fe and
impurities" indicates those elements which come from the raw materials such
as ore and scrap, and/or the production environment when the steel is produced
on an industrial scale.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0033]
The nitrocarburized component of the present invention steadily has a
high bending fatigue strength of 600 MPa or more and an excellent
straightenabiUty under various nitrocarburizing conditions, in particular even
when water cooling is carried out in the cooling step after nitrocarburizing," and
thus the said nitrocarburized component is suitable as a crankshaft for
automobiles and so on. If the non-heat treated steel of the present invention is
used as a starting material, the said nitrocarburized component can be
manufactured easily.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034]
10
[Fig. l] Figure 1 is a view showing the shape^ of an Ono type rotating
bending fatigue test piece. In this figure, the unit of each numerical value is
"mm".
[Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a graph summarizing the relationship between the
bending fatigue strength and the PI (= 0.02C + 0.22Mn + 0.87Cr + 0.85A1 +
0.72) for the steels AA to AF.
[Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a three-side view showing the shape of a four-point
bending test piece for measxuring straightenabUity. In this figure, the unit of
each numerical value is "mm".
[Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a graph summarizing the relationship between the
amount of straightenable strain, which is an index of the straightenabUity, and
P2 (= 2.40C - 0.54Mn - 9.26Cr - O.OIAI + 1.59) for the steels BA to BF.
[Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a schematic view for explaining a method for cutting
off a test piece for the observation by using a transmission electron microscope
from the four-point bending test piece having been subjected to the
nitrocarburizing and having the shape shown in Figure 3.
[Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a microphotograph showing one example of a brightfield
image in the case where the ferrite in the ferrite-pearlite structure of a
diffusion layer after nitrocarburizing is observed by using a transmission
electron microscope; in which the portions indicated by white arrow marks are
T]-Mn3N2. In the case of this figure, observation is made by exciting systematic
reflection of g = (020)a-Fe to reduce the influence of strain existing, for example,
around a precipitate and to obtain a clearer observation result in the state in
which the incident direction of electron beam is made [OOlla-Fe. The black
arrow mark in the figure indicates the direction of g vector of excited systematic
reflection in a reciprocal space.
[Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a microphotograph showing electron beam diffiraction
patterns of the same field as that in Figure 6 in the case where observation is
W
carried out by using a transmission electron microscope. In this figure,
spot-like portions are the difiraction patterns of a-Fe, and portions extending in
a streak form longitudinally and transversely are the diffraction patterns of
Tj-MnsNa. The fact that the di&action patterns extending in a streak form are
obtained as described above is characteristic of a thin plate-shaped precipitate.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0035]
In the following, aU of the requirements of the present invention are
described in detail. In the following description, the symbol "%" for the
content of each element means "% by mass".
[0036]
(A) Chemical composition of the non-heat treated steel for
nitrocarburizing and matrix of nitrocarburized component:
C- 0.25% or more to less than 0.35%
C (carbon) is an effective element for ensuring the bending fatigue
strength after nitrocarburizing. In order to ensure the strength of matrix
which is necessary to obtain a high bending fatigue strength of 600 MPa or
more, 0.25% or more of C must be contained. However, if the content of C
becomes excessive, the outer layer hardness increases excessively. Moreover,
the area fraction of ferrite decreases, and the ferrite-pearlite structure does
coarsen. Therefore, a siifficient straightenability cannot be obtained.
Consequently, the content of C is set to 0.25% or more to less than 0.35%.
[0037]
Si: 0.15 to 0.35%
Si (sihcon) is an element necessary for deoxidizing the steel at the time of
melting. In order to achieve this effect, at least 0.15% of Si must be contained.
However, since the containing of much Si leads to an excessive deterioration in
straightenability, the content of Si is set to 0.15 to 0.35%. The content of Si is
preferably set to 0.15% or more, and 0.30% or less.
[0038]
Mn: 0.85 to 1.20%
Like Si mentioned above, Mn (manganese) is an effective element for
deoxidizing the steel. At the time of nitrocarburizing, Mn increases the
content of dissolved nitrogen in the nitrocarburized layer, and further forms
fine plate-shaped Mn nitrides together with intruded nitrogen. The said
nitrides coherently precipitate in the matrix; and thus the bending fatigue
strength is improved. In order to obtain the aforementioned effects, 0.85% or
more of Mn must be contained. On the other hand, if the content of Mn
exceeds 1.20%, the content of dissolved nitrogen and the precipitation amount
of Mn nitrides increase excessively, and also the outer layer hardness increases
excessively, so that the straightenabihty degrades. Therefore, the content of
Mn is set to 0.85 to 1.20%. The content of Mn is preferably set to 0.90% or
more.
[0039]
S: 0.10% or less
S (sulfur) is contained in the steel as an impvu-ity. Incidentally, if S is
added, S has an effect of improving the machinabiUty. However, as the result
of addition, if the content of S increases and exceeds 0.10%, the bending fatigue
strength and the straightenabihty degrade remarkably. Therefore, the
content of S is set to 0.10% or less. The content of S is preferably set to 0.08%
or less. In order to obtain the advantageous effect of improving machinabihty,
the content of S is preferably set to 0.04% or more.
[0040]
Al: more than 0.010% to 0.030% or less
13
Al (aluminum) increases the diffusion layer depth at the time of
nitrocarburizing; and thus Al is an effective element for improving the bending
fatigue strength. In order to achieve this effect, more than 0.010% of Al must
be contained. However, if the content of Al becomes excessive, the outer layer
hardness increases excessively, so that the straightenabihty degrades.
Therefore, the content of Al is set to more than 0.010% to 0,030% or less.
[0041]
Ti: 0.003 to 0.020%
Ti (titanium) is an element that restrains grain coarsening; and thus Ti
makes grains fine, and also improves the bending fatigue strength. In order to
achieve these effects, 0.003% or more of Ti must be contained. However, if the
content of Ti exceeds 0.020%, the straightenabihty degrades. Therefore, the
content of Ti is set to 0.003 to 0.020%. The content of Ti is preferably set to
0.005% or more, and 0.015% or less.
[0042]
N: 0.010 to 0.024%
N (nitrogen) is an element for improving the bending fatigue strength
and the straightenability. In order to achieve these effects, 0.010% or more of
N must be contained. On the other hand, even if 0.024% or more of N is
contained, the aforementioned effects are saturated. Therefore, the content of
N is set to 0.010 to 0.024%. The content of N is preferably set to 0.012% or
more, and 0.022% or less.
[0043]
With regard to the non-heat treated steel for nitrocarburizing and the
matrix of the nitrocarburized component in accordance with the present
invention, the contents of P and Cr among the impurities must be restricted to
being in the ranges described below.
[0044]
14-
As already described, the term "impurities" so referred to in the phrase
"the balance of Fe and impurities" indicates those elements which come from
the raw materials such as ore and scrap, and/or the production environment
when the steel is produced on an industrial scale.
[0045]
P: 0.08% or less
P (phosphorus) is contained in the steel as an impurity. P is an
unfavorable element for the bending fatigue strength, that is to say, P degrades
the bending fatigue strength. In particular, if the content of P exceeds 0.08%,
the bending fatigue strength degrades remarkably. Therefore, the content of
P among the impurities is set to 0.08% or less. The content of P among the
impurities is preferably set to 0.03% or less.
[0046]
Cr: 0.10% or less
Cr (chromium) is contained in the steel as an impurity, and the content
thereof has a great influence on the bending fatigue strength and the
straightenability. In particular, if the content of Cr exceeds 0.10%, the
straightenabihty degrades remarkably. Therefore, the content of Cr among
the impurities is set to 0.10% or less.
[0047]
Pi: 0.96 or more
In the non-heat treated steel for nitrocarburizing and the matrix of the
nitrocarburized component in accordance with the present invention, the Pi
expressed by [PI = 0.02C + 0.22Mn + 0.87Cr + 0.85A1 + 0.72 ... (l)] must
satisfy [Pl > 0.96], wherein each symbol C, Mn, Cr and Al in the above formula
(l) represents the content by mass percent of the element concerned.
[0048]
If the chemical composition is in the aforementioned range, the bending
fatigue strength can be put in order by the said PI. When the PI is 0.96 or
more, a bending fatigue strength of 600 MPa or more is obtained. In the
following, this relationship is explained.
[0049]
The steels AA to AF having the chemical composition shown in Table 1
were melted by use of a 70-tons converter, and then were bloomed into billets
having a cross-sectional size of 180 mm x 180 mm.
[0050] y
[Table 1] /
— I I
... - tJ . .. ^^ ^ ^ • = s r ^ - ^ = = = = - ,
be
a
0}
t--t«u-l
bo Qj
• i-i H O O Ifl W W to
^ v - ' C D < a 3 < D < O l O > 0
bfi
d
PQ ,
00 (M -^ 05 lO '^
r* 03 O O O OS OJ A [ , « • « • ,
O T-l 1-4 t-< O O
m
, 2 O i-l CO 05 (N »0
+j o o a> CO t - y r H T - i r H r — I C O r - l i —I
•^ J5 d d d d d d
E-* cS
M
«5 t~ 00 O CO (M
ra <6 CD O d O d
m
O >0 r-< t- W -^
^ m o o o o o o jv,
^ d d d d d d «>
-s; d
+
Cl • < S t U 5 ' 5 i < i - < ( M . - i r5
2 « T - ( r H r H i H < M ( N^
'43 PH O O O O O O ^
CO O O O O O O _•
n •• •• +
g tt; en o o r-i 00 00 t-
_ ' ^ O r H i - H i - l O O •
13 ?
a o c n o o o o o c o '3
„ l"^ (N --I N CM 1-1 r-4 >2<
g TO . . . . . . (M
r£3 O O O O O O (M
o J + ID 00 (M 1* in lo o
O (M o
__i d
^ 0.90], wherein each symbol C, Mn, Cr and AI in the above formulas
(2) represents the content by mass percent of the element concerned.
[0058]
If the chemical composition is in the aforementioned range, the
straightenabiHty can be put in order by the said P2. When the P2 is 0.90 or
more, an excellent straightenabiHty is obtained. In the following, this
relationship is explained.
[0059]
The steels BA to BF having the chemical composition shown in Table 2
were melted by use of a 70"tons converter, and then were bloomed into billets
having a cross-sectional size of 180 mm x 180 mm.
[0060] ^^
[Table 2] ^^
-X_
_ __ti _ to M o a 3 t > J3 c o < ^ ^ ( N ( N I H r ^ \ w \.
ew 3 \ I „ t - CO . 2 * • u o O t - C l O J O O t - • r J * 7 l - l t - l r - H l - l l - l i - l 3 * ^ 0 0 0 0 0 0 a d o c J d o d a •l-l S E ^ O O O O O O i J ^ , d d d d d d 'rt f^ ^ "^ Ti» (M 10 TH eq •^ g < ! o o o o o o ^ o <6 <6 d <6 d cs W w d d d d d d C8 ^ O T O O O O O O O J h - • | 3 ( i < q o o q o o o ' r o d d d o o o c i o J a l^ g ^ o c < i ^ q . w r w g ' ^ r - H r - i i - l . - i i - H « - 4 . " a J j ^ l j i r H r - l r H I N r - t l N l S U^ \JJ r • > • * t ^ ^ C J O O O O O O i f t I Q CO CO (M| d "^^ ^
-jr-
20
[0061]
The above-described each billet was forged into a steel bar having a
diameter of 90 mm, and further forged into a steel bar having a diameter of 50
mm under the conditions of a heating temperature of 1200°C, and a finishing
temperature of 1000 to 1050°C. After forging, the said steel bar was stood to
cool in the atmosphere, and thus cooled to room temperature.
[0062]
From the R/2 portion of each steel bar, having the diameter of 50 mm
obtained as described above, the four-point bending test piece for measuring
straightenabnity having the shape shown in Figure 3 was cut off. The said
test piece was subjected to the nitrocarburizing under the condition of a
soaking temperature of 600°C and soaking time of 150 minutes in an
atmosphere of NH3 gas : RX gas = 1: i; and thereafter it was water cooled. All
of the units of dimensions of the four-point bending test piece shown in Figvire 3
are "mm".
[0063]
To the notch bottom of the four-point bending test piece obtained as
described above, a 2-mm strain gage was bonded, and a bending strain was
imparted until the strain gage was broken. In the case where a crack occurs in
the nitrocarburized layer, the strain gage bonded to the outer layer is broken.
Therefore, the straightenability was evaluated by the strain at the time when
the strain gage was broken, that is to say, by the amount of straightenable
strain. For aU of the four-point bending test pieces on which the strain gage
was broken, the test piece was embedded in a resin so that the R3 notch bottom
longitudinally sectioned portion of the four-point bending test piece did be the
test plane. Thereafter, the aforementioned test plane was mirror-like polished,
and by using an optical microscope, it was checked that a crack was present in
the nitrocarburized layer.
- ^ -
21
[0064]
The target of the straightenability was made such that the amount of
straightenable strain was 20,000 |j£ or larger.
[0065]
The amount of straightenable strain, which is an index of the
straightenability, was also shown in Table 2. In addition, the relationship
between the P2 and the amount of straightenable strain was shown in Figure 4.
[0066]
As is apparent from Figure 4, in the case where the P2 is 0.90 or more,
the amount of straightenable strain of 20,000 p,8 or larger can be obtained.
[0067]
The P2 can be a value close to 1.97 in the case where, as the contents of
elements defined in the formula (2), C is a value close to 0.35%, Mn is 0.85%, Cr
is a value close to 0%, and Al is a value close to 0.010%.
[0068]
If the non-heat treated steel for nitrocarbvirizing of the present invention,
having the above-described chemical composition, is forged under the ordinary
hot forging condition, for example, the conditions of a heating temperature of
1200 to 1300°C, and a finishing temperatures of 900 to 1100°C, and thereafter
is stood to cool in the atmosphere, and thus cooled to room temperature, a
non-heat treated steel material having a ferrite-pearhte structvire, in which the
area fraction of ferrite is 30 to 80%, and the balance is pearHte, can be obtained.
[0069]
(B) Diffusion layer of the nitrocarburized component:
The nitrocarburized component of the present invention can be obtained
by the following process^ the aforementioned non-heat treated steel material is
formed by machining so as to have a component shape, and thereafter is
subjected to the nitrocarburizing under the conditions of a soaking temperature
2'Zof
450 to 650°C, and a soaking time of 30 minutes or longer. The said soaking
temperature is far lower than the A3 transformation point of the steel; and thus
in the matrix and diffusion layer of the said non-heat treated steel material, the
phase transformation during the nitrocarbiu'izing does not occur, and the
microstructure of the nitrocarburized component becomes the same
ferrite-pearUte structure as that of the non-heat treated steel material having
not been subjected to the nitrocarburizing. Therefore, the diffusion layer of
the nitrocarburized component of the present invention consists of a
ferrite-pearlite structure.
[0070]
Next, the nitrocarburized component of the present invention is such that
in the ferrite in the ferrite-pearhte structure of the diffusion layer, 130 to
250/(j,m2 of plate-shaped precipitates each having a thickness of 5 nm or less
and a width of 200 nm or less are present. If the aforementioned plate-shaped
precipitates are present in the ferrite, the nitrocarburized component can be
caused to have both of a high bending fatigue strength of 600 MPa or more and
a target straightenability that the amount of straightenable strain is 20,000 us
or larger
[0071]
A compound being fine and precipitating coherently in the matrix
improves the strength of matrix as a precipitation strengthening factor, and
contributes to precipitation strengthening more greatly as the precipitation
amount increases and as the size decreases. Inversely speaking, a precipitate
having a large size such that at least either of thickness and width exceeds the
above-described value scarcely contributes to the strengthening of the
nitrocarburized component of the present invention. In the case where
130/(j.m2 or more of plate-shaped precipitates each having a thickness of 5 nm or
less and a width of 200 nm or less are present in the ferrite, a high bending
;>2r-
2 ^
I
fatigue strength of 600 MPa or more can be attained steadily. On the other
hand, if more than 250/\un.^ of plate-shaped precipitates having the
above-described size are present in the ferrite, the outer layer is strengthened
excessively, so that the amount of straightenable strain, which is an index of
the straightenabihty, does not reach 20,000 |X8.
[0072]
The thickness and width of the said plate-shaped precipitate that is
present in the ferrite are preferably 3 nm or less and 100 nm or less,
respectively. Depending on the performance of the observation equipment
such as a transmission electron microscope (hereinafter, referred to as a
"TEM"), in the case where the TEM observation is made at a magnification of
200,000 times, the precipitate having a thickness of 1 nm and a width of 10 nm
becomes the observation Umit.
[0073]
The diffusion layer of the nitrocarburized component described in this
item (B) can be obtained by carrying out the nitrocarburizing under the
conditions of a soaking temperature of 450 to 650°C, and a soaking time of 30
minutes or longer by using the steel having the chemical composition described
in the above item (A). In addition, in the case where the steel having the
chemical composition described in the above item (A) is used, the influence of
cooling rate after the nitrocarburizing on the properties of component is not
excessively great, and the target is met even when any cooling method is
employed. Therefore, the coohng after nitrocarburizing can be carried out by
an appropriate method.
[0074]
In the following, the present invention is explained in detail by referring
to examples.
EXAMPLES
14
[0075] __.^____
The steels A to N having the chemical composition shown in Table 3 were
melted by use of a 70-tons converter, and then were bloomed into billets having
a cross-sectional size of 180 mm x 180 mm.
[0076]
The steels A to E in Table 3 are steels having the chemical composition
being within the range regulated by the present invention. On the other hand,
the steels F to N are steels having the chemical composition being out of the
condition regulated by the present invention.
[0077] /
[Table 3] /
-JWg]!
TO O q p CO Ol r-j C£j TP 0> 0 ) C35 00 O d
i H r H r H r - H r H r H r - i r H T H O O O Q ' i H ,9
, O Ti* UO T-t C- l-- C^ CO W 05 CO r-i 00 00 >
jQ I j 9 P *-? R '^ ^ ^ '^. ^'^ *^ P '"! 9 9 S
< D T H T H j H r 4 o O O G d i H T H i - - I r - i t - i "^
• rt 4s +3
. S ^ •• — • — fl 3 o o irt o >* o w o ^ 00 o lo -^ o %
p, rH Ti< t - I - t - t - i n 00 t O O t>>
a ) - i - ( » - < O r - < r - { r — t r H t - ( O r - < ' - < l - - < O i — ( r - l J3
fefHooqqoooooooooo
<:>Sd>SQS<6<6<6<6<6<6<6d '^
o +^
Rj -^ l > Ol iH t O O C O C O I > C O C O C n r - « C » 0 0 '-H g / ^ q o q r s o o o o o o ^ o o r - i .-^^
JJ B c>^ o
• ^ C 3 C O O ' ^ O O Q l O C - O O r H Q O < 3 > O O l O -.
^,_':o c o o o o u s c o o o o o i f l O » o o o < M < J < t ;^
O - ^ r - < T H « - ( ( M r H r H r H i - H i - I C M ( M » H » H i H ^ 5 ^3
J^PH q q q o o o o o o q q q o o cpo o
g d d o d d d d d o 6 d d c D o d o hfi
r-J s - ! O C 0 0 5 t > C O l O O r H I > l O O a > 0 0 » O p ^ ' ^
^ f c 5 0 5 0 r - 4 Q 0 0 5 C D O O C n O O < M C J 5 t - l > - f r H t ^ S g «2
• J Z j ' ^ O r H r H O O O O O O t H O r - l t H r - l - ' ^^ S -!< •!< ? ? S
fi n n o
r i ^ 0 5 t - c o c o o o o o o t o i o o > ' H i o i c ' 5 ; * 5 ! d
^ ^ »-j CNl rH iH Cc>(6c>SS (MIO*^
d> a-Fe, and the precipitate having
the above-described shape as a plate-shape precipitate, the number of plate-shaped
precipitates each having a thickness of 5 nm or less and a width of 200 nm or
less was examined. That is to say, the ferrite in the ferrite-pearhte structure
of the diffusion layer was observed by using a TEM at a magnification of
200,000 times, and the number of plate-shaped precipitates having the
above-described size included in a field of 250 nm x 350 nm was determined.
This process was repeated for optional 5 fields, and the number of plate-shaped
precipitates each having a thickness of 5 nm or less and a width of 200 nm or
less, which were included per unit area, was calculated by dividing the total
number for 5 fields of the determined numbers by the total area of observed 5
fields.
[0092]
Furthermore, the bending fatigue strength and the straightenability
were examined by using the aforementioned Ono type rotating bending fatigue
test piece and foxir-point bending test piece, respectively, which were water
cooled after being subjected to the nitrocarburizing.
[0093]
That is to say, the fatigue test was carried out under the alternating
condition of 3,000 rpm (revolutions per minutes) at room temperature and in an
air atmosphere by using the above-described Ono type rotating bending fatigue
test pieces that were water cooled after being subjected to the nitrocarburizing,
and thereby the bending fatigue strength was examined. The target value of
the said bending fatigue strength is set to 600 MPa or more.
[0094]
A 2-mm strain gage was bonded to the notch bottom of the four-point
bending test piece that was water cooled after being subjected to the
'^1
nitrocarburizing, and a bending strain was imparted until the strain gage was
broken. As described above, in the case where the strain gage was broken, a
crack occurred in the nitrocarburized layer. Therefore, the straightenability
was evaluated by the strain at the time when the strain gage was broken, that
is to say, by the amount of straightenable strain. The target of the amount of
straightenable strain, which is an index of the straightenability, is set to 20,000
us or larger.
[0095]
The above-described test resvdts are summarized in Table 4.
[0096]
[Table 4] /
-5 < = 9 " ' o o o p o u 5 " > o i o o u s * a BS^ -g
S S ? c 3 C O N < M ( N < N i N M « O i N C O C 0 ' - < ' - f ' - l ' - < r H « g « „ , g
J j =» 'ft » » » I .| ^.g ^
rg o i o i o o i o o o o » f t O i f l © o o o o ! 2 ® !rta ^
h n m M ' i N C O ' ^ l O O J C O M O O O O O S O J C O C O t ^ O O S ' " ' r£3 ?>£S f^
2 ' g g ' t s o « > « o c o c o « > < o w ' o i o i o « > t o « > « > 2 j , . +^ b-S r^i
« tS * -3 tj O ?* O fd
fl b tn fe S f^
ti « " ^ ''^ .a d
irt i ^ 3 o g -ti 43 « I
^ ' S . B ' 0 ' - t ' - < < M I M > - < r - l ^ ) - 4 . - l . - < . - l < M H i N < M < S J Q "SMS*
,^g s3 * ^. -; 'Sj^'S
3 + + + 4- + + + + + + + + + + + + H sfi Q)a™.<'t:
I J ^ g "3 ..a
« ' S ' r t O o i o o o i o i o o o m o i n i c i o i Q O b n ^ &«Ma}"
^ • S f o f l j S o ' o d d d d d d d d o ' o d d d d a 2 ^a^rt'S
g o 2 i^ TS "a «w d
3 1 = tA & .S ^ § -^ "^
a , H , f j - f H i O O O l f t l O r - i i - « M O O O O C O I N O < - t O < M _ _ a ; p , S S ( i - S *^
a s + + + + + + + + + 4- + + 4- + + 4 - . - " 4 3 n w g o .a
•S d _,u_jwji_.i_ o o 0 5 0 n ( M « ) r } < i o « 3 r . H ' 2 : r t r , " " o § o
^ _-__—_-_—____«. rtS'g^fiW'S -a
• It It ^|1i^-t§i|S
ao> r^® iilSe-t3iJH?HBe-idf-'
^ _ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ i-i <-> s w ft -5
[0097] _,_^_ __=_=======.============
From Table 4, it is apparent that test Nos. 1 to 7 in accordance with the
"inventive examples", in which the conditions regulated by the present
invention were satisfied, were on targets, that is to say, each bending fatigue
strength was 600 MPa or more and each amount of straightenable strain was
20,000 H8 or larger, and had an excellent straightenabiUty in addition to a high
bending fatigue strength.
[0098]
In contrast, in the case of test No. 8, the content of C of the steel F was as
low as 0.20%, and deviated from the condition regulated by the present
invention. Therefore, although the number of plate-shaped precipitates
having a thickness of 5 nm or less and a width of 200 nm or less, which
precipitated in the ferrite of the diffusion layer, was 176/p,m2, satisfying the
regidation of the present invention, the strength of matrix was insufficient, and
the bending fatigue strength as a nitrocarbiu*ized component did not meet the
target.
[0099]
In the case of test No. 9, the content of Mn of the steel G was as low as
0.80%, and deviated from the condition regulated by the present invention. In
addition, the number of plate-shaped precipitates having a thickness of 5 nm or
less and a width of 200 nm or less, which precipitated in the ferrite of the
diffusion layer, was as small as 112/|j,m2, which deviated from the condition
regulated by the present invention. Therefore, the bending fatigue strength as
a nitrocarburized component did not meet the target.
[0100]
In the case of test No. 10, the content of Al of the steel H was as low as
0.003%, and deviated from the condition regulated by the present invention.
Therefore, the diffusion layer depth at the time of nitrocarburizing did not
increase, and the bending fatigue strength as a mtrocarbitrizedcQiBEQnent did
not meet the target.
[0101]
In the case of test No. 11, the parameter PI of the steel I was 0.95, and
was lower than the range regulated by the present invention. Therefore, the
bending fatigue strength as a nitrocarburized component did not meet the
target.
[0102]
In the case of test No. 12, the content of Mn of the steel J was as high as
1.25%, and deviated from the condition defined in the present invention. In
addition, the number of plate-shaped precipitates having a thickness of 5 nm or
less and a width of 200 nm or less, which precipitated in the ferrite of the
diEfusion layer, was as large as 257/nm2, which deviated from the condition
regulated by the present invention. Therefore, the amount of straightenable
strain as a nitrocarbiu-ized component did not meet the target, and the
straightenability was poor.
[0103]
In the case of test No. 13, the content of Cr of the steel K was as high as
0.11%, and deviated from the condition regulated by the present invention.
Therefore, the amovint of straightenable strain as a nitrocarburized component
did not meet the target, and the straightenability was poor.
[0104]
In the case of test No. 14, the content of Al of the steel L was as high as
0.060%, and deviated from the condition regulated by the present invention.
Therefore, the amount of straightenable strain as a nitrocarburized component
did not meet the target, and the straightenability was poor.
[0105]
In the case of test No. 15, the parameter P2 of the steel M was 0.89, and
was lower than the range regulated by the present invention. Therefore, the
amount of straightenable strain as a nitrocarburized component did not meet
the target, and the straightenabiHty was poor.
[0106]
In the case of test No. 16, the content of C of the steel N was as high as
0.42%, and deviated from the condition defined in the present invention.
Therefore, the amount of straightenable strain as a nitrocarburized component
did not meet the target, and the straightenability was poor.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0107]
The nitrocarburized component of the present invention steadily has a
high bending fatigue strength of 600 MPa or more and an excellent
straightenabiHty under various nitrocarbiwizing conditions, in particular even
when water cooling is carried out in the cooUng step after nitrocarburizing; and
thus the said nitrocarburized component is suitable as a crankshaft for
automobiles and so on. If the non-heat treated steel of the present invention is
used as a starting material, the said nitrocarburized component can be
manufactured easily. .
We claim:
1. A non-heat treated steel for nitrocarburizing characterized in that the
steel has a chemical composition consisting of, by mass percent, C: 0.25% or
more to less than 0.35%, Si: 0.15 to 0.35%, Mn: 0.85 to 1.20%, S: 0.10% or less,
Al: more than 0.010% to 0.030% or less, Ti: 0.003 to 0.020%, and N: 0.010 to
0.024%, and the balance of Fe and impurities, wherein P and Cr among the
impurities are P: 0.08% or less and Cr: 0.10% or less respectively, and further
the PI and the P2 expressed by the formulas (l) and (2) are PI > 0.96 and P2 >
0.90 respectively:
PI = 0.02C + 0.22Mn + 0.87Cr + 0.85A1 + 0.72 ... (l),
P2 = 2.40C-0.54Mn-9.26Cr-0.01Al+1.59 ...(2),
wherein each symbol C, Mn, Cr and Al in the above formulas (l) and (2)
represents the contents by mass percent of the element concerned.
2. A nitrocarburized component characeterized in that the component in
which the chemical composition of the matrix thereof consisting of, by mass
percent, C: 0.25% or more to less than 0.35%, Si: 0.15 to 0.35%, Mn: 0.85 to
1.20%, S: 0.10% or less, Al: more than 0.010% to 0.030% or less, Ti: 0.003 to
0.020%, and N: 0.010 to 0.024%, and the balance of Fe and impurities, wherein
P and Cr among the impurities are P: 0.08% or less and Cr: 0.10% or less
respectively, and further the PI and the P2 expressed by the forumulas (l) and
(2) are PI > 0.96 and P2 > 0.90 respectively, wherein, further the diffusion layer
thereof consists of a ferrite-pearlite structure, and the number of plate-shaped
precipitates having a thickness of 5 nm or less and a width of 200 nm or less,
which have precipitated in the ferrite, is 130 to 250/pm2:
PI = 0.02C + 0.22Mn + 0.87Cr + 0.85A1 + 0.72 ... (l),
P2 = 2.40C - 0.54Mn - 9.26Cr - O.OIAI + 1.59 ... (2),
wherein each symbol C, Mn, Cr and Al in the above formulas (l) and (2)
represents the contents by mass percent of the element concerned.