Research Projects

Demand for high performance high manganese steel with optimum properties is steadily increasing. High Mn steel with Mn content of 5 to 27% is being widely used for various applications. It finds its application in various industries owing to the various remarkable properties such as high strength and wear resistance, low temperature toughness, non-magnetic and damping property. As per the industrial establishment, in recent years, demand for high performance wear resistant steels has increased. The properties of the these steels being produced by any indutsrial establishment is on the smaller side as compared to that expected by the end users. Increase in demand of high-performance wear resistant and impact resistant steels calls for modification in the processing route of the steel so that microstructure can be tailored to achieve the desired wear and impact properties. To achieve high wear and impact resistance, it is important that superior work hardening characteristics are developed in the steels. One of the most efficient ways for achievingthis is by reducing the grain size and avoiding the carbide precipitation in the steel. Grain size can be varied by introduction of the grain refiners as well as by tailoring the process conditions. However, the efficacy of introdcuing grain refiners for such steel is very promising. This also reduces the need to introduce very complicated heat treatment routes and employing of expensive alloying elemnts which can help achieve the desired proerties mentioned above. Not much of work has been conducted in this line to develop effective grain refiners. Traditionally thermomechnical processing have been adopted to achieve fine grained structure to obtain optimum strength and toughness. During the recent years, some non-metallic inclusions (oxide, carbides, sulphides or nitrides) have beend found to have profound influence on the grain size reduction by either acting as potent nucleation sites or by pinning the grain boundaries. It can be noted that the oxides, sulfides or nitrides of Ti and Ce are most commonly used as dispersoids in steels. In the present proposal, it is proposed that a cerium-based composite grain refiner will be developed in the laboratory through powder metallurgy route which will act as effective nucleating agent in the given conditions of melting and solidification of this class of steel. This grain refiner will be introduced in the heat which will be casted with different pouring temperatures. Further, the grain refiner and the pouring temperature will be optimized. Grain size and properties achieved will be compared with the steel processed through the conventional route being carried out at the industry. The main challenge to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the fabricated grain refiner will be addressed by a simulaton process of stirring and the optimized heat treatment cycle will be suggested to obtain the desired result for High Mn Steel with ultra high hardness.