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 ℃, 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 ktm when thixoforged at 1340 ℃ and under a strain rate of 0.02 s^-1.
Thixotropic Compression tests were carried out on 9Cr18 semi-solid alloy through Gleeble-1500 thermal simulation machine. According to the experiment analysis, macro separation occurred during thixoforming. The liquid film was extruded outside to the surface and solidified to form eutectic structure. The solid particles were connected with each other and underwent plastic deformation. According to the comparison between Zhou-Guan model and modified Zhou-Guan model, it could be observed that the adding of thixotropic factor played an important role in the regression and the latter one was more credible. The modified Zhou-Guan model could well describe the thixoforming behavior. 3D forecast mapping was built for 9Cr18 semi solid alloy in thixoforming temperature range. It would provide valuable information for selecting process parameters during thixoforming in the manufacture process.
The unique phase transformation and carbide evolution in 9Cr18 steel were investigated during semi-solid forming and subsequent heat treatment. The functional gradient thixoforging 9Cr18 component was divided into inner area and edge area. Microstructure evolution was different at each area. After semi-solid cooling, the solid particles in the inner area were retained as meta-austenite. During annealing, M_（23）C_6 carbide began to precipitate when temperature reached 700 °C.Martensite transformation occurred when temperature reached 800 °C. The occurrence of M_（23）C_6 carbide and martensite structure would be harmful to the mechanical properties of inner area. In the edge area, the liquid underwent eutectic transformation to form bar-shape M_7C_3 carbide and secondary austenite after semi-solid cooling. The width of bar-shape carbide would decrease during annealing. By controlling the carbide evolution, we could tailor the functional gradient material with required property.
