Effects of liquid fraction on the microstructure and mechanical properties in forge solidifying 12Cr1MoV steel

A method called forging solidifying metal (FSM), developed to establish an energy-efficient process chain for ferrous alloys, was proposed based on the semi-solid forming (SSF) technology. The microstructure of the 12Cr1MoV steel investigated was inhomogeneous when deformed by the FSM process under conditions of 70% and 50% liquid fractions (FL). A circle-like macrosegregation band, which was enriched in C, Cr, Mo and V, appeared in the forging. What is significantly different from that is, a uniform, dense microstructure characterized by fine grains (30 μm) was obtained when the FSM process was conducted at the FL of 30%. With decreasing FL, the mechanical properties of the forgings gradually homogenized.