The elastic properties of ferromagnetic Fe 1−x M x ͑M = Al, Si, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Rh; 0 Յ x Յ 0.1͒ random alloys in the body-centered-cubic ͑bcc͒ crystallographic phase have been studied using the all-electron exact muffin-tin orbitals method in combination with the coherent-potential approximation. The theoretical lattice parameters and the single-crystal elastic constants agree well with the available experimental data. The most significant alloying effects are found for Al, Si, and Ni additions. All elements enlarge the lattice parameter and decrease the C 11 , C 12 , and CЈ elastic constants and the bulk modulus of bcc Fe. At the same time, C 44 is found to increase with Al, Si, V, Cr, or Mn and remain nearly constant with Co, Ni, and Rh. Accordingly, the elastic anisotropy of bcc Fe increases with all alloying elements considered here. The calculated alloying effects on the single-crystal elastic constants are shown to originate from volume effects in combination with the peculiar electronic structure of bcc Fe.

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Three duplex grades, one molybdenum-free, one 22Cr type, and one super duplex grade, have been subjected to weld simulation treatments, and the resulting microstructures have been quantified by automatic image analysis techniques. Substantial differences between the duplex grades were observed with an increased ability to reform austenite with increased alloying content. A theoretical model has been applied, based upon the paraequilibrium concept elaborated by Hillert, and the paraequilibrium compositions of individual phases were calculated as a function of temperature using the THERMOCALC database. A model based on Cahns theory of grain boundary nucleated reactions has also been utilized to calculate the kinetics of the reaction. By using this model, the grain size effects could be included in the treatment. The results of the calculations were compared with experimental data, and the experimental results were reproduced using the same parameter set for the three materials, with the exception of the diffusion coefficient values which had to be adjusted. This adjustment has in a later study been verified experimentally. The results validate the model used and the physical relevance of using the paraequilibrium model. The appropriateness of a paraequilibrium approach is also supported by experimental evidence from weld metal compositions. It is shown that the nitrogen content of the alloys plays an important role, and a higher nitrogen content results in more efficient austenite reformation. This implies that the alloy nitrogen compositions should lie close to the upper specification limits for these materials and nitrogen losses should be avoided on welding since the material properties, both mechanical and corrosive, are strongly related to the austenite-ferrite phase ratio.

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