[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to austenite steels having excellent wear resistance,
corrosion resistance, or non-magnetic performance as well as ductility, as steels
used for industrial machines and in structures requiring ductility and wear resistance,
superconducting application devices and general electric devices requiring non-magnetic
properties, in the mining, transportation, and storage sectors as well as in oil and
gas industries such as steel for a expansion pipe, steel for a slurry pipe, or sour
resistant steel.
[Background Art]
[0002] Recently, demand for austenitic steels (non-magnetic steels) for use as structural
materials in superconducting application devices, such as a linear motor car track
and a fusion reactor, and general electric devices, has increased. A typical example
of non-magnetic steel is AISI 304 (18Cr-8Ni base) austenitic stainless steel. However,
AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel may be uneconomical because the yield strength
thereof is low and large amounts of expensive elements, such as Cr and Ni, are included
therein. In particular, with respect to a structural material requiring stable non-magnetic
properties according to a load, such austenitic steels may exhibit magnetic properties
due to a ferromagnetic ferrite phase induced by deformation-induced transformation
and thus, there may be limitations in the uses and applications thereof.
[0003] High-manganese austenitic steels have been continuously developed, in which expensive
nickel in the austenitic stainless steels is replaced by manganese. With respect to
the high-manganese austenitic steels, it is essential to secure stability of an austenite
structure through appropriate changes in contents of manganese and carbon. In the
case that the content of manganese is high, a stable austenite structure may be obtained
even with a low content of carbon. However, in the case that the content of manganese
is low, a large amount of carbon must be added for austenitization. As a result, carbides
are precipitated by forming a network along austenite grain boundaries at high temperatures
and the precipitates may rapidly decrease physical properties of the steel, in particular,
ductility.
JP 02 270 937 discloses high Mn steel with good contact fatigue properties.
[0004] In order to inhibit the precipitation of carbides having a network form, a method
of performing a solution treatment at a high temperature or manufacturing high-manganese
steel by rapid cooling to room temperature after hot working has been suggested. However,
in the case that the steel is thick or changes in manufacturing conditions are not
facilitated as in the case in which welding is essentially accompanied, the precipitation
of carbides having a network form may not be inhibited and as a result, physical properties
of the steel may rapidly deteriorate. Also, segregation due to alloying elements,
such as manganese and carbon, inevitably occurs during solidification of an ingot
or billet of high-manganese steel and segregation becomes severe during post-processing
such as hot rolling. Eventually, partial precipitation of carbides occurs in a network
form along an intensified segregation zone in a final product, thereby promoting non-uniformity
of a microstructure and deteriorating physical properties.
[0005] In order to inhibit the precipitation of carbides in the segregation zone, increasing
the content of manganese may be a method generally used. However, this may eventually
cause increases in an alloy amount and manufacturing costs, and thus, research into
the addition of elements effective in inhibiting carbide formation with respect to
manganese has been required for resolving the foregoing limitations. Also, since a
level of corrosion resistance of high-manganese steel may decrease in comparison to
that of a general carbon steel due to the addition of manganese, applications in fields
requiring corrosion resistance may be limited, and thus, research into improving corrosion
resistance of high-manganese steel has also been required.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
[0006] An aspect of the present invention provides an alloy having improved ductility and
wear resistance by stabilizing austenite through appropriate control of contents of
carbon and manganese and economically inhibiting generation of carbides in a network
form that may be formed at austenite grain boundaries.
[Technical Solution]
[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an austenite steel
having excellent ductility including: 8 wt% to 15 wt% of manganese (Mn); 3 wt% or
less excluding 0 wt% of copper (Cu); a content of carbon (C) satisfying relationships
of 33.5C + Mn ≥ 25 and 33.5C - Mn ≤ 23; and iron (Fe) as well as unavoidable impurities
as a remainder.
[0008] At this time, the steel includes 2 to 8 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%) of chromium
(Cr).
[0009] Also, the steel may further include 0.05 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%) of titanium
(Ti) and 0.1 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%) of niobium (Nb).
[0010] Yield strength of the steel may be 500 MPa or more.
[0011] The steel may further include 0.002 wt% to 0.2 wt% of nitrogen (N).
[0012] A microstructure of the steel may include austenite having an area fraction of 95%
or more.
[0013] Magnetic permeability of the steel may be 1.01 or less at a tensile strain of 20%.
[Advantageous Effects]
[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, austenite is stabilized and generation
of carbides in a network form at austenite grain boundaries is inhibited by adding
copper (Cu) favorable to inhibition of carbide formation with respect to manganese
and appropriately controlling contents of carbon and manganese, and thus, ductility
and wear resistance may be improved and corrosion resistance of steel may also be
improved through the addition of chromium (Cr).
[Description of Drawings]
[0015] The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a graph showing composition ranges of carbon and manganese of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a photograph showing an example of a microstructure of a steel sheet according
to the present invention; and
FIG. 3 is a photograph showing another example of a microstructure of a steel sheet
according to the present invention.
[Best Mode]
[0016] The present invention may provide an austenite steel having excellent ductility by
stabilizing austenite and inhibiting generation of carbides in a network form at austenite
grain boundaries through controlling contents of carbon, manganese, and copper in
a component system.
[0017] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steel having
excellent ductility including 8 wt% to 15 wt% of manganese (Mn), 3 wt% or less, excluding
0 wt%, of copper (Cu), a content of carbon (C) satisfying relationships of 33.5C +
Mn ≥ 25 and 33.5C - Mn ≤ 23, and iron (Fe) as well as unavoidable impurities as a
remainder.
Manganese (Mn): 8 wt% to 15 wt%
[0018] Mn, as the most important element added to a high-manganese steel as in the present
invention, is an element acting to stabilize austenite. In consideration of a content
of carbon controlled for improving non-magnetic properties in the present invention,
Mn may be included in an amount of 8% or more so as to stabilize austenite. That is,
in the case that a content of Mn is 8 wt% or less, an austenite structure may not
be sufficiently obtained because ferrite, a ferromagnetic phase, becomes a main structure.
Also, in the case that the content of Mn is greater than 15 wt%, a stable austenite
structure may not be maintained because unstable ε-martensite is formed and easily
transformed into ferrite according to deformation. As a result, magnetic properties
may increase and fatigue properties may deteriorate, and also, a decrease in corrosion
resistance, difficulty in a manufacturing process, and increases in manufacturing
costs may be obtained due to the excessive addition of manganese.
Carbon (C): 33.5C + Mn ≥ 25 and 33.5C - Mn ≤ 23
[0019] C is an element that allows an austenite structure to be obtained at room temperature
by stabilizing austenite and has an effect of increasing strength and wear resistance
of steel. In particular, carbon functions to decrease Ms or Md, a transformation point
from austenite to martensite by a cooling process or working.
[0020] A content of C in the present invention may simultaneously satisfy relationships
of 33.5C + Mn ≥ 25 and 33.5C - Mn ≤ 23 and content ranges of carbon and manganese
controlled in the present invention may be confirmed in FIG. 1. In the case that a
value of 33.5C + Mn is less than 25, an alpha-martensite structure, a ferromagnetic
phase, may be formed because stabilization of austenite is insufficient, and thus,
a sufficient amount of an austenite structure may not be obtained. In the case that
a value of 33.5C - Mn is greater than 23, carbides are excessively formed at grain
boundaries because the content of C becomes excessively high, and thus, physical properties
of a material may rapidly deteriorate. Therefore, the contents of carbon and manganese
are required to be controlled in the foregoing ranges and as a result, sufficient
austenite may be secured and the inhibition of carbide formation may be possible.
Therefore, ductility and non-magnetic properties may be improved.
Copper (Cu): 3 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%)
[0021] Cu has very low solubility in carbide and low diffusivity in austenite, and thus,
is concentrated at an interface between the austenite and the nucleated carbide. As
a result, Cu effectively delays growth of the carbide by inhibiting diffusion of carbon
and eventually, has an effect of inhibiting carbide formation. However, since hot
workability of steel may be decreased in the case that a content of Cu is greater
than 3 wt%, an upper limit thereof may be limited to 3 wt%. In particular, in order
to sufficiently obtain the effect of inhibiting carbide formation, Cu may be added
to an amount of 0.3 wt% or more, and for example, it is more effective to maximize
the foregoing effect in the case that Cu is added in an amount of 2 wt% or more.
[0022] At this time, corrosion resistance of the steel may be additionally improved by further
including 8 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%) of chromium (Cr).
Chromium (Cr): 2 to 8 wt% or less.
[0023] In general, manganese is an element decreasing corrosion resistance of steel and
corrosion resistance of the steel having the foregoing range of Mn may be lower than
that of a general carbon steel. However, in the present invention, corrosion resistance
may be improved by the addition of Cr. Also, ductility may be increased by stabilizing
austenite through the addition of Cr having the foregoing range and strength may also
be increased by solution strengthening.
[0024] In the case that a content of Cr is greater than 8 wt%, manufacturing costs may not
only increase, but also, resistance to sulfide stress corrosion cracking may be decreased
by forming carbides along grain boundaries as well as carbon dissolved in a material
and a sufficient fraction of austenite may not be obtained due to formation of ferrites.
Therefore, an upper limit thereof may be limited to 8 wt%. In order to maximize the
effect of improving corrosion resistance, Cr is added in an amount of 2 wt% or more.
Corrosion resistance is improved by the addition of Cr and thus, the steel of the
present invention may be widely used in a steel for a slurry pipe or sour resistance
steel.
[0025] Also, yield strength of the steel may be further improved by including 0.05 wt% or
less (excluding 0 wt%) of titanium (Ti) and 0.1 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%) of niobium
(Nb) and thus, the steel having a yield strength of 500 MPa or more may be obtained.
Titanium (Ti): 0.05 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%)
[0026] Ti combines with nitrogen to form TiN and thus, exhibits an effect of increasing
yield strength of steel by inhibiting growth of austenite grains at high temperatures.
However, in the case that Ti is added excessively, physical properties of the steel
may be deteriorated due to coarsening of titanium precipitates. Therefore, an upper
limit thereof may be limited to 0.05 wt%.
Niobium (Nb): 0.1 wt% or less (excluding 0 wt%)
[0027] Nb is an element increasing strength through dissolution and precipitation hardening
effects, and in particular, may improve yield strength through grain refinement during
low-temperature rolling by increasing a recrystallization stop temperature (Tnr) of
steel. However, in the case that Nb is added in an amount of greater than 0.1 wt%,
physical properties of the steel may be rather deteriorated due to formation of coarse
precipitates. Therefore, an upper limit thereof may be limited to 0.1 wt%.
[0028] Also, in the case that the steel further includes 0.002 wt% to 0.2 wt% of nitrogen
(N), the effect of the present invention may be further improved.
Nitrogen (N): 0.002 wt% to 0.2 wt%
[0029] Nitrogen is an element stabilizing austenite with carbon and also, may improve strength
of steel through solution strengthening. In the case that unstable austenites are
formed, N greatly deteriorates physical properties and non-magnetic properties by
inducing deformation induced transformation into ε-martensite and α-martensite according
to deformation. Therefore, physical properties and non-magnetic properties of the
steel may be improved by stabilizing austenite through appropriate addition of nitrogen.
[0030] In the case that a content of N is less than 0.002 wt%, the effect of stabilization
may not be anticipated, and in the case that the content of N is greater than 0.2
wt%, physical properties of the steel may be deteriorated due to formation of coarse
nitrides.
[0031] Therefore, the content of N may be limited to a range of 0.002 wt% to 0.2 wt%. For
example, in the case that N is added to an amount of 0.05 wt% or more, non-magnetic
properties may be more effectively improved through the stabilization of austenite.
[0032] In the present invention, iron (Fe) and other unavoidable impurities are included
as a remainder. However, since unintended impurities may be inevitably incorporated
from raw materials or a surrounding environment during a typical steelmaking process,
the unintended impurities may not be excluded. Since the unintended impurities are
obvious to those skilled in the art, detailed descriptions thereof are not particularly
provided in the present specification.
[0033] Austenite is a main phase in the steel of the present invention having the foregoing
composition and austenite may be included in an area fraction of 95% or more. In the
case that the foregoing composition is satisfied, a targeted fraction of an austenite
structure may be obtained without performing rapid cooling (water cooling) in order
to inhibit grain boundary carbide precipitation, a limitation in a typical steel.
That is, a targeted microstructure may be formed in the steel almost without dependency
on a cooling rate and as a result, high ductility and wear resistance may be obtained.
Also, corrosion resistance may be improved through the addition of Cr having the foregoing
range and strength may be improved through solution strengthening.
[0034] Further, the steel may have a magnetic pearmeability of 1.01 or less at a tensile
strain of 20%. In the present invention, non-magnetic properties are improved by stably
securing austenite, and in particular, excellent non-magnetic properties may be obtained
by allowing very low magnetic permeability to be obtained even at a tensile strain
of 20% through the addition of nitrogen. For example, non-magnetic properties may
be further improved by controlling magnetic permeability to have a value of 1.005
or less at a tensile strain of 20%.
[0035] In the present invention, a slab satisfying the foregoing component system may be
manufactured according to a typical method of manufacturing steel, and for example,
the slab of the present invention may be manufactured by rough rolling and finishing
rolling after reheating the slab and then cooling.
[Mode for Invention]
[0036] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail, according to an embodiment.
However, the following individual examples are merely provided to allow for a clearer
understanding of the present invention, rather than to limit the scope thereof.
(Embodiment)
[0037] Slabs satisfying component systems and composition ranges described in Tables 1 and
4 were manufactured through a series of hot rolling and cooling processes, and microstructures,
elongations, strengths, and magnetic permeabilities thereof were then measured, and
the results thereof are presented in the following Table 2. The results of corrosion
rate tests according to dipping experimentations are presented in Table 3 below and
weight losses of samples in accordance with wear experimentations (ASTM G65) are presented
in Table 4 below.
[Table 1]
| Category (wt%) |
C |
Mn |
Cu |
Cr |
Ti |
Nb |
N |
35.5C+Mn |
35.5C-Mn |
| Example 1 |
0.66 |
10 |
1.06 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
32 |
12 |
| Example 2 |
0.83 |
9.98 |
1.08 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
38 |
18 |
| Example 3 |
0.5 |
14 |
0.37 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
31 |
3 |
| Example 4 |
0.79 |
10.84 |
1.21 |
- |
0.017 |
0.021 |
- |
37 |
16 |
| Example 5 |
0.63 |
10.25 |
1.12 |
1.5 |
- |
- |
- |
31 |
11 |
| Example 6 |
0.93 |
11.05 |
1.34 |
1.47 |
- |
- |
- |
42 |
20 |
| Example 7 |
0.83 |
9.92 |
1.28 |
0.98 |
- |
- |
- |
38 |
18 |
| Example 8 |
0.92 |
12.01 |
0.71 |
1.23 |
- |
- |
- |
43 |
19 |
| Inventive Example 9 |
0.6 |
14.25 |
0.26 |
5.07 |
- |
- |
- |
34 |
6 |
| Inventive Example 10 |
0.72 |
12.54 |
2.35 |
2.07 |
- |
- |
- |
37 |
12 |
| Inventive Example 11 |
0.79 |
11.2 |
1.38 |
2.53 |
0.014 |
0.02 |
- |
38 |
15 |
| Inventive Example 12 |
0.82 |
10.95 |
0.95 |
3.15 |
0.016 |
0.02 |
- |
38 |
17 |
| Example 13 |
0.64 |
12.12 |
1.37 |
1.85 |
0.015 |
0.018 |
0.13 |
34 |
9 |
| Comparative Example 1 |
0.39 |
9.94 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
23 |
3 |
| Comparative Example 2 |
0.9 |
10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
40 |
20 |
| Comparative Example 3 |
0.2 |
17 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
24 |
-10.3 |
| Comparative Example 4 |
1.2 |
10 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
50 |
30 |
| Comparative Example 5 |
0.9 |
10 |
3.5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
40 |
20 |
| Comparative Example 6 |
0.9 |
10.1 |
1.25 |
10 |
- |
- |
- |
40 |
20 |
| Comparative Example 7 |
0.05 |
19 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
21 |
-17 |
| Comparative Example 8 |
0.02 |
17 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
- |
- |
- |
18 |
-16 |
[Table 2]
| Category |
Austenite fraction (area%) |
Elongation (%) |
Yield strength (MPa) |
Magnetic permeability (before deformation) |
Magnetic permeability (after 20% tensile strain) |
| Example 1 |
98 |
22.5 |
376 |
1.002 |
1.012 |
| Example 2 |
99 |
25.6 |
357 |
1.002 |
1.01 |
| Example 3 |
99 |
27.3 |
362 |
1.001 |
1.009 |
| Example 4 |
99 |
26.4 |
574 |
1.001 |
1.002 |
| Example 5 |
99 |
25.7 |
395 |
1.002 |
1.01 |
| Example 6 |
99 |
28.7 |
402 |
1.002 |
1.01 |
| Example 7 |
99 |
28.4 |
386 |
1.002 |
1.01 |
| Example 8 |
99 |
27.6 |
392 |
1.001 |
1.009 |
| Inventive Example 9 |
99 |
35.6 |
472 |
1.001 |
1.009 |
| Inventive Example 10 |
100 |
37.2 |
630 |
1.002 |
1.002 |
| Inventive Example 11 |
99 |
28.1 |
592 |
1.002 |
1.01 |
| Inventive Example 12 |
99 |
30.6 |
605 |
1.002 |
1.01 |
| Example 13 |
99 |
32.2 |
577 |
1.001 |
1.003 |
| Comparative Example 1 |
65 |
4 |
336 |
5 or more |
Non measurable |
| Comparative Example 2 |
78 |
4.6 |
352 |
1.001 |
Non measurable |
| Comparative Example 3 |
68 |
32 |
303 |
1.002 |
5 or more |
| Comparative Example 4 |
72 |
4.3 |
358 |
1.002 |
Non measurable |
| Comparative Example 5 |
Non measurable |
Non measurable |
Non measurable |
Non measurable |
Non measurable |
| Comparative Example 6 |
72 |
3.8 |
520 |
1.002 |
Non measurable |
| Comparative Example 7 |
41 |
31 |
297 |
1.002 |
5 or more |
| Comparative Example 8 |
38 |
27 |
312 |
1.002 |
5 or more |
[Table 3]
| Category |
Corrosion rate (mm/year) |
| 3.5% NaCl, 50°C, 2 weeks |
0.05 M H2SO4, 2 weeks |
| Example 5 |
0.12 |
0.42 |
| Example 6 |
0.11 |
0.41 |
| Example 7 |
0.12 |
0.42 |
| Example 8 |
0.12 |
0.42 |
| Inventive Example 9 |
0.06 |
0.33 |
| Inventive Example 10 |
0.06 |
0.35 |
| Inventive Example 11 |
0.09 |
0.40 |
| Inventive Example 12 |
0.07 |
0.37 |
| Example 13 |
0.11 |
0.43 |
| Comparative Example 1 |
0.14 |
0.48 |
| Comparative Example 2 |
0.16 |
0.48 |
| Comparative Example 3 |
0.15 |
0.47 |
| Comparative Example 4 |
0.16 |
0.48 |
| Comparative Example 5 |
Non measurable |
Non measurable |
| Comparative Example 6 |
0.03 |
0.27 |
| Comparative Example 7 |
0.15 |
0.45 |
| Comparative Example 8 |
0.14 |
0.43 |
[Table 4 ]
| Category (wt%) |
C |
Mn |
Si |
Ni |
Cu |
Cr |
Ti |
Nb |
N |
Weight loss (g) |
| Example 1 |
0.66 |
10 |
|
|
1.06 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.59 |
| Example 2 |
0.83 |
9.98 |
|
|
1.08 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.61 |
| Example 3 |
0.5 |
14 |
|
|
0.37 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.65 |
| Example 4 |
0.79 |
10.84 |
|
|
1.21 |
- |
0.017 |
0.021 |
- |
0.63 |
| Example 5 |
0.63 |
10.25 |
- |
- |
1.12 |
1.5 |
- |
- |
- |
0.65 |
| Example 6 |
0.93 |
11.05 |
- |
- |
1.34 |
1.47 |
- |
- |
- |
0.59 |
| Example 7 |
0.83 |
9.92 |
- |
- |
1.28 |
0.98 |
- |
- |
- |
0.58 |
| Example 8 |
0.92 |
12.01 |
- |
- |
0.71 |
1.23 |
- |
- |
- |
0.57 |
| Inventive Example 9 |
0.6 |
14.25 |
- |
- |
0.26 |
5.07 |
- |
- |
- |
0.61 |
| Inventive Example 10 |
0.72 |
12.54 |
- |
- |
2.35 |
2.07 |
- |
- |
- |
0.54 |
| Inventive Example 11 |
0.79 |
11.2 |
- |
- |
1.38 |
2.53 |
0.014 |
0.02 |
- |
0.57 |
| Inventive Example 12 |
0.82 |
10.95 |
- |
- |
0.95 |
3.15 |
0.016 |
0.02 |
- |
0.58 |
| Example 13 |
0.64 |
12.12 |
- |
- |
1.37 |
1.85 |
0.015 |
0.018 |
0.13 |
0.62 |
| Comparative Example 9 |
0.45 |
0.6 |
0.25 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.75 |
| Comparative Example 10 |
0.066 |
1.5 |
0.2 |
0.15 |
- |
0.1 |
0.012 |
0.04 |
- |
1.32 |
| Comparative Example 11 |
0.36 |
1.5 |
0.26 |
- |
- |
0.2 |
0.011 |
0.012 |
- |
0.9 |
| Comparative Example 12 |
0.9 |
12 |
0.5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0.59 |
[0038] Examples 1 to 13 were steels illustrating the component systems and composition ranges
controlled, and it may be understood that deterioration of physical properties due
to grain boundary carbide formation were not obtained even by slow cooling. Specifically,
since area fractions of austenite were 95% or more and magnetic permeabilities were
stably maintained even at a tensile strain of 20%, non-magnetic properties as well
as elongations and yield strengths were excellent. Also, since weight losses of the
samples were low, wear resistance may be secured.
[0039] In particular, in Inventive Examples 5 to 13, it may be understood that corrosion
resistances were also improved because corrosion rates were slow in the corrosion
evaluation tests according to additional addition of Cr. That is, it may be confirmed
that Examples 5 to 13 had effects of improving corrosion resistance better than those
of Examples 1 to 4 in which Cr was not added. Further, it may be understood that Inventive
Example 10 had a better effect of improving corrosion resistance, because Cu was added
to an amount of 2 wt% or more, a more desirable amount. Also, in Examples 4 and 11
to 13, yield strengths were improved by further additions of Ti and Nb, and thus,
were 500 MPa or more.
[0040] In contrast, Comparative Example 1 had a value of 33.5C+Mn of 23, which did not correspond
to the range controlled in the present invention. A content of carbon as an austenite-stabilizing
element was insufficient and as a result, targeted austenite structure and elongation
were not obtained due to formation of a large amount of martensites.
[0041] Also, in Comparative Example 2, contents of manganese and carbon corresponded to
the ranges controlled in the present invention. However, since a large amount of carbides
were formed along gain boundaries due to copper not being added, austenite was formed
in an area fraction of less than 95%. Thus, it may be confirmed that targeted microstructure
and elongation may not be obtained.
[0042] Further, Comparative Example 3 had a value of 33.5C+Mn of 24, which did not correspond
to the range controlled in the present invention. In particular, since ε-martensite,
a semi-stable phase, was formed due to a high manganese content, an austenite structure
having a targeted area fraction may not be obtained. Since the semi-stable ε-martensite
phase was easily transformed into deformation-induced martensite during subsequent
deformation, very high magnetic permeability may be obtained at a tensile strain of
20%. Thus, it may be confirmed that non-magnetic properties were poor.
[0043] Comparative Example 4 had a value of 33.5C-Mn of 30, which did not correspond to
the range controlled in the present invention. In particular, since carbides having
a network form formed at grain boundaries due to excessive addition of carbon, austenite
was formed in an amount of less than 95%. Thus, a targeted microstructure may not
be obtained and as a result, elongation was very low.
[0044] In Comparative Example 5, contents of manganese and carbon corresponded to the ranges
controlled in the present invention. However, since hot workability was rapidly deteriorated
due to the addition of Cu in an amount above the range controlled in the present invention,
severe cracks were generated during hot working, and thus, a sound rolled material
may not be obtained. As a result, measurements were not possible through experimentations.
[0045] In Comparative Example 6, contents of manganese and carbon also corresponded to the
ranges controlled in the present invention. However, since Cr carbides precipitated
along grain boundaries due to addition of Cr in an amount above the range controlled
in the present invention, a targeted fraction of austenite may not be obtained, and
as a result, it may be confirmed that ductility was deteriorated.
[0046] In Comparative Examples 7 and 8, values of 33.5C+Mn were respectively 21 and 18,
which deviated from the range of the present invention. In particular, since ε-martensite,
a semi-stable phase, was excessively formed due to a high manganese content and a
low C content, a fraction of austenite was very low. As a result, the semi-stable
ε-martensite was easily transformed into deformation-induced α-martensite, a ferromagnetic
structure, during deformation to increase magnetic permeability and thus, it may be
confirmed that non-magnetic properties were poor.
[0047] Comparative Example 9 had a composition of AISI 1045 steel, a general carbon steel
for machine structural use. Since a content of Mn was very low and Cu was not added,
a weight loss of the sample according to the wear test was 0.75 g, and it may be confirmed
that a wear amount was relatively larger than those of Inventive Examples.
[0048] Comparative Example 10 had a composition of API X70 grade steel. Likewise, since
a content of Mn was very low and Cu was not added, a weight loss of the sample was
greater than 1 g, and it may be confirmed that wear resistance was very poor.
[0049] Comparative Example 11 had a composition of API K55 grade steel. Likewise, since
a content of Mn was very low and Cu was not added, a weight loss of the sample was
0.9 g, and it may be confirmed that wear resistance was very poor.
[0050] Comparative Example 12 was a high-manganese austenitic Hadfield steel widely used
as a wear resistant steel. Since contents of C and Mn were sufficient, weight loss
according to the wear test was 0.59 g, and thus, excellent wear resistance properties
were obtained. However, since the inhibition of carbide formation was not facilitated
due to no addition of Cu and water cooling must be performed after a long austenitization
treatment at a high temperature in order to inhibit the carbide formation, there may
be a limitation in a thickness of applied steel and there may have many constraints
in manufacturing steel such as difficulty in using in a weld structure. Also, since
Cr was not added, corrosion resistance targeted in the present invention may not be
secured.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a micrograph of a steel sheet manufactured according to Inventive Example
1 and FIG. 3 is a micrograph of a steel sheet manufactured according to Inventive
Example 5. Since almost all structures were austenitic, it may be confirmed that stabilization
of austenite may be effectively achieved by control of the component system and the
composition range of the present invention.
[0052] While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary
embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and
variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined
by the appended claims.