Effects of Temperature and Strain Rate on Solid-/Liquid-Phase Flow Behavior of 9Cr18 Steel During Thixoforging

A thixoforging process of the 9Cr18 steel was conducted in a designed setup, and a kind of multi-diameter component was fabricated. The effects of the forming temperature and the strain rate on the solid-/liquid-phase flow behavior were discussed. The results showed that functional gradient properties of the 9Cr18 steel could be obtained after thixoforging. Changes of microstructure along radial direction could be obtained. Solid austenite was retained after fast cooling, and the liquid film enriched in alloying elements was extruded outside to form a dendrite skin layer. As temperature increased, more molten liquid formed during thixoforging. A heterogeneous flow phenomenon was activated as free liquid channels were formed. The macro-separation of solid and liquid phases was critical for the formation of functional gradient properties. Above 1300 °C, full dendrite skin layer could be formed. The strain rate affected the thixotropic property via influencing the deformation time of thixoforging. In the presence of lower strain rates, there was more time for the flow of liquid metal, which was the key to the extension of the thixotropic stage. High temperatures and low strain rates contributed to the formation of full skin layer for the designed specimen. The average thickness of skin layer for current specimen could be over 1000 μm when thixoforged at 1340 °C and under a strain rate of 0.02 s−1.