Microstructure and Tensile Properties in Dual Phase and Trip Steels

Advanced high‐strength steels, like dual phase and TRIP steels, have gained much interest for automotive application. The complex microstructures in dual phase steels, and even more critical, the metastable microstructure in TRIP steels, do not follow the well‐established traditional microstructure‐property relationships for deep drawing steels. The volume fraction of the different phases, the phase distribution, and the stability of metastable phases influence significantly the forming potential. This paper discusses the correlation between different microstructural features and the mechanical properties. The tensile test properties of dual phase steels are governed by the martensite volume fraction, the martensite hardness and to a much smaller extent the martensite island diameter. Both in dual phase and more pronounced in TRIP steels the retained austenite content plays a vital role in determining the formability. The stability of the retained austenite can be described by different methods, it needs to be adjusted according to the forming temperature and the type and amount of strain. In general, multiphase steels require a very strict microstructure control in order to develop predictable forming behaviour.     

Mechanical Properties and Bake Hardening Behaviour of two Cold Rolled Multiphase Sheet Steels subjected to CGL Heat Treatment Simulation

In recent years, multiphase steels have become a material of choice for use in the car manufacturing industry owing to their excellent mechanical properties. It is anticipated that in the years to come these steels will show the highest increase in usage. A particular aspect of their potential is that multiphase steels often show good bake hardening (BH) properties. The main factors that govern the microstructures and the properties of these steels are the chemical composition and the production process parameters. In this work two commercial cold rolled sheet steels with different carbon content were investigated. In order to produce dual phase (DP) steels with a ferrite‐martensite microstructure, the as‐received material was subjected to heat treatment simulating continuous galvanising line (CGL) cycles with an overageing zone before the zinc pot. After a first CGL cycle predominantly ferritic microstructures with small amounts of martensite, pearlite and retained austenite were obtained, which resulted in deviations from typical DP properties, e.g. in the occurrence of discontinuous yielding. A higher line speed led to improved mechanical properties. BH prestrain was varied between 0 and 10%. While only very little bake hardening was observed without prestrain, with increasing prestrain the amount of BH was evolving quickly towards larger values of more than 60 MPa. Generally, the BH values were somewhat larger for higher carbon content. Finally, an optimised CGL cycle was simulated at laboratory scale with changes in the process parameters. Thus, characteristic DP microstructures resulting in desired mechanical properties were obtained. For these optimised conditions, BH₂ values in excess of 60 MPa were achieved for both steels investigated.     

The Formation of Complex Microstructures After Different Deformation Modes in Advanced High-Strength Steels

The microstructure of transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) and dual phase (DP) multiphase steels after stamping of an industrial component at different strain levels was investigated using transmission electron microscopy. The TRIP steel microstructure showed a more complex dislocation substructure of ferrite at different strain levels than DP steel. The deformation microstructure of the stamped parts was compared to the deformation microstructure in these complex steels for different “equivalent” tensile strains. It was found that the microstructures are similar only at high levels of strain (>10 pct) for both steels.     

Effects of Silicon Content and Intercritical Annealing on Manganese Partitioning in Dual Phase Steels

Steels of constant manganese and carbon contents with silicon content of 0.34%-2.26% were cast.The as-cast steels were then hot rolled at 1100 ℃ in five passes to reduce the cast ingot thickness from 80 to 4 mm, air cooled to room temperature and cold rolled to 2 mm in thickness. Dual phase microstructures with different volume fraction of martensite were obtained through the intercritical annealing of the steels at different temperatures for 15 min followed by water quenching. In addition to intercritical annealing temperature, silicon content also altered the volume fraction of martensite in dual phase steels. The partitioning of manganese in dual phase silicon steels was investigated using energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The partitioning coefficient, defined as the ratio of the amounts of alloying element in the austenite to that in the adjacent ferrite, for manganese increased with increasing intercritical annealing temperature and silicon content of steels. It was also found that the solubility of manganese in ferrite and austenite decreased with increasing intercritical temperature. The results were discussed by the diffusivity and the solubility of manganese in ferrite and austenite existed in dual phase silicon steels.     

Unraveling the Initial Microstructure Effects on Mechanical Properties and Work-Hardening Capacity of Dual-Phase Steel

Ferritic-martensitic, dual-phase (DP) microstructures with different size, morphology, and distribution of martensite were produced by altering the initial microstructures using heat treatment and thermomechanical processing routes. It was revealed that the strength, ductility, and work-hardening rate of DP steels strongly depend on the volume fraction and the morphology of the martensite phase. In this regard, the fine-grained DP microstructure showed a high work-hardening ability toward an excellent combination of strength and ductility. Such a microstructure can be readily obtained by intercritical annealing of an ultrafine grained (UFG) microstructure, where the latter can be produced by cold-rolling followed by tempering of a martensite starting microstructure. Conclusively, the enhancement of mechanical properties of DP steels through microstructural refinement was found to be more beneficial compared with increasing the volume fraction of martensite. Finally, it was also demonstrated that the work-hardening rate analysis based on the instantaneous (incremental) work-hardening exponents might be an advantageous approach for characterizing DP steels along with the conventional approaches.     

Comparison of Work Hardening Behaviour of Ferritic‐Bainitic and Ferritic‐Martensitic Dual Phase Steels

In this research, the stress‐strain curves of two types of dual phase steels, namely ferritic‐bainitic and ferritic‐martensitic steels with 0.16%C and 1.2% Mn have been obtained using tensile tests. Both steels were intercritically annealed under different conditions and the ferritic bainitic steels subsequently quenched in a salt bath, while the ferritic martensitic steels were water quenched. The stress‐strain data of the specimens were checked using Hollomon's equation. The results showed that both types of dual phase steels had two stages of work hardening and each stage had a different work hardening exponent. The effects of volume fraction of hard phases (bainite and martensite) on ultimate tensile strength, total elongation and work hardening exponent were also investigated. The results indicated that with increasing volume fraction of hard phase the UTS was increased whereas the work hardening exponent and total elongation were decreased.     

Microstructure based modelling of stress–strain relationship on dual phase steels

The deformation in microstructures of DP600, DP800 and DP1000 commercial advanced high strength steels have been researched through using the representative volume element method. For this purpose, deformation analyses have been carried out by transferring geometrical models and mechanical properties of phases of each material to the finite element software. Deformation relation between ferrite and martensite phases was determined. According to the loading direction, Shear bands have been observed to occur in the range of approximately 40°–45°. It has been understood that the failure mode is shear for DP600, DP800 and DP1000 steels. Crack propagation has been observed to occur in the ferrite phase trapped at the martensite grain boundary.     

Grain Refinement of TRIP‐Assisted Multiphase Steels through Strain‐Induced Phase Transformation

To develop high performance steels for automotive applications, enhanced strengthening mechanisms are required. This study aims at assessing the critical parameters leading to the refinement of the strain‐induced ferrite matrix of thermomechanically processed multiphase steels. Hot rolling simulations allowed the definition of the temperature, strain and cooling rate conditions bringing about the formation of strain‐induced ferrite with a reduced grain size. The relationship between the deformation and the concurrent or subsequent phase transformations is highlighted thanks to a thorough characterisation of the generated microstructures. It is also shown that the prior austenite grain size influences the distribution of the second phases within the finely grained ferrite matrix.     

Formability of High Strength Dual‐phase Steels

The application of ferritic‐martensitic dual‐phase (DP) steels has become an increasing trend in the automotive industry due to the possibility to achieve significant weight reduction and fuel efficiency with improved crash performance while keeping the manufacturing costs at affordable levels. In order to meet the different design requirements of individual auto‐body components, a wide variety of DP grades exhibiting different strength and ductility levels is currently industrially produced. Despite the numerous studies on the relationship between the mechanical properties and the microstructural characteristics of DP steels over the last decades, it is still a challenge to increase their formability at a constant strength level (or equivalently increasing the strength while maintaining a high ductility). One of the possibilities to increase strength is grain refinement. Ultrafine‐grained ferritic‐martensitic microstructures were produced by intercritical annealing of a cold‐rolled, pre‐processed dual‐phase steel. Ferrite mean grain sizes in the order of ~ 1.5 μm were obtained. The mechanical properties of these steels are studied, revealing the beneficial effect of grain refinement. Ultimate tensile strength above 800 MPa is achievable, while reaching remarkable high uniform and total elongations, which are only slightly affected by the martensite volume fraction. Moreover, the yield to tensile strength ratio can be adjusted between 0.4 and 0.5. Light and electron microscopy investigations, fracture profile and fracture surface analyses, hole expansion tests and additional ultramicrohardness measurements are used for the interpretation of the results and for the correlation of the mechanical properties and the formability characteristics with the microstructure of the steel.     

高伸长率冷轧双相钢DP980显微组织及性能

摘要：为了进一步提高冷轧双相钢DP980的强塑性,采用低C-Si-Mn-Nb-Cr成分,通过调整连续退火工艺参数,系统研究了工艺组织性能的关系,利用OM、SEM、EBSD分析了不同退火温度条件下各相的比例、尺寸、形貌、分布,同时利用力学拉伸试验手段研究了连退两相区退火温度对强塑性的影响。结果表明,通过优化调整连续退火工艺,不仅可以在冷轧铁素体和马氏体双相钢的组织上获得少量的残余奥氏体,也能细化再结晶晶粒,最终获得ReL/Rm≤0.5、高伸长率A50≥15%的冷轧DP980,提高强塑性的同时改善了成型性能。     

800～1200 MPa级超高强冷轧双相钢的组织与性能

在实验室试制了800~1200 MPa级超高强冷轧双相钢。DP800和DP1000的热轧组织为铁素体+珠光体,DP1200为铁素体+珠光体+贝氏体复相组织。热轧板经过冷轧和退火后呈现典型的双相钢组织特征,力学性能可以达到相应强度级别的要求。DP800和DP1000马氏体体积分数小于50%,铁素体相为基体;DP1200马氏体体积分数超过50%,马氏体转变为基体相。最后对退火板各力学性能之间的关系进行了对比分析。     

低碳多相钢的组织调控与力学性能

采用优化后的临界区再加热-淬火中温等温(T1、T2)热处理工艺,对具有不同前躯体组织的(0.22/0.17)C-(1.91/1.85)Mn-(1.32/0.94)Si两类热轧6 mm钢板分别进行处理,获得了具有铁素体、贝氏体、马氏体以及弥散分布于原奥氏体晶界、相界等处的残余奥氏体所构成的多相组织.利用扫描电镜、X射线衍射以及电子背散射衍射分析技术等对不同热处理阶段钢的微观组织进行了表征.结果证实,采用不同的前躯体组织设计可以很好地调控临界区再加热逆转变奥氏体的组织形貌、比例以及碳含量,进而通过后续处理来实现对钢中多相组织的调控.前躯体为马氏体的0.22C钢,经T1工艺后获得了以针状铁素体为基体的多相组织,其强塑积超过了30 GPa·%;前躯体为铁素体+马氏体的0.17C钢经T2工艺后获得了以块状铁素体为基体的多相组织,其强塑积超过了27 GPa·%.     

CSP流程生产经济型热轧双相钢的工艺与组织性能

 为了在CSP产线上开发新一代经济型热轧双相钢,并确定生产的最佳成分和工艺,介绍了在武钢CSP生产线进行580MPa级热轧双相钢的工业化生产试制情况。分别采用C-Mn-Si系和C-Mn-Si-Cr系钢为原料,通过控制轧制和基于超强冷却设备的控制冷却工艺,成功开发出抗拉强度580MPa级热轧双相钢。通过比较分析2种成分钢的力学性能和微观组织,结果表明：经济型的C-Mn-Si系钢相对于C-Mn-Si-Cr系钢具有屈服强度低、屈强比小、伸长率大的特点,虽然马氏体量相对较少,但具有马氏体呈岛状更加均匀分布在铁素体晶界上等典型双相钢的特征,同时提出了生产过程中控制铁素体析出量和促进马氏体形成的具体措施。     

Local and Global Stress–Strain Behaviors of Transformation-Induced Plasticity Steel Using the Combined Nanoindentation and Finite Element Analysis Method

Transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels have excellent strain hardening exponents and resistibility against tensile necking using the strain-induced martensite formation that occurs as a result of the plastic deformation and strain on the retained austenite phase. Detailed studies on the microstructures and local mechanical properties, as well as global mechanical properties, are necessary in order to thoroughly understand the properties of TRIP steels with multiple phases of ferrite, bainite, retained austenite, and martensite. However, methods for investigating the local properties of the various phases of the TRIP steel are limited due to the very complicated and fine microstructures present in TRIP steel. In this study, the experimental and numerical methods, i.e., the experimental nanoindenting results and the theoretical finite element analyses, were combined in order to extract the local stress–strain curves of each phase. The local stress–strain curves were in good agreement with the values presented in the literature. In particular, the global plastic stress–strain behavior of the TRIP steel was predicted using the multiple phase unit cell finite element analysis, and this demonstrated the validity of the obtained properties of each local phase. The method of extracting the local stress–strain curves from the nanoindenting curves and predicting the global stress–strain behavior assists in clarifying the smart design of multi-phase steels.     

Delayed fracture of tensile strength 980 MPa grade steels for automotive applications

Three different types of tensile strength( TS) 980 MPa grade advanced high-strength steels used in automotive applications,namely,980 MS( martensite steel),980DP( dual phase) and 980QP( quenching and partitioning) steels were examined. The delayed fracture resistance of the steels was evaluated using a U-bend test,slowstrain rate test( SSRT) and a constant load tensile test. The results indicated that all the steels could pass the300h HCl solution immersion test and none of the U-bend specimens was fractured in the test. However,the steels exhibited different susceptibilities to delayed fracture under SSRT and the constant load tensile tests. 980 DP exhibited the highest resistance to delayed fracture among all the samples,while 980 MS was found to be the most susceptible to delayed fracture.     

Advanced Cold Rolled Steels for Automotive Applications

Advanced high‐strength steels offer a great potential for the further development of automobile bodies‐in‐white due to their combined mechanical properties of high formability and strength. They represent the first choice in material selection for strength and crash‐relevant parts with challenging geometries. The intensive development of multiphase steels by ThyssenKrupp Steel has led to hot dip galvanizing concepts with an outstanding forming potential. Hot rolled, hot dip galvanized complex‐phase steels are currently produced in addition to cold rolled dual phase (DP) and retained austenite (RA) or transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. New continuously annealed grades of steel are being developed with tensile strength levels of up to 1000 MPa in combination with sufficient ductility for the high demands of structural automobile components. These steels make use of the classic advantages of microalloying as well as the principles of DP steels and RA / TRIP steels. Further improvement of properties will be reached by the new class of high manganese alloyed steels.     

Effect of Strengthening Phase on Deformation Behaviour during Uniaxial Tension of Hot-rolled Dual Phase Steel

Two kinds of C-Si-Mn-Cr series tested steels were designed to obtain dual phase microstructures of ferrite （F） ＋martcnsite （M） or ferrite （F）-bainite （B） with different mechanical properties. Effects of strengthening phase on yielding and fracture behaviours during uniaxial tension of dual phase steel were discussed. Compared with hot-rolled martensite dual phase steel, ferrite-bainite dual phase steel has high ratio of yield strength to tensile strength （YS/TS） and low elongation. During necking process of uniaxial tension, microvoids of ferrite-martensite steel are generated by fracture of ferrite/martensite boundary or martensite islands with irregular shape. But ferrite matrix elongated remarkably along deformation direction, and strengthening phase also coordinated with ferrite matrix. Compatible de formation between ferrite and bainite is distinct. Ferrite-bainite dual phase steel has fine and less microvoid, and phase boundary of ferrite and bainite is beneficial for restraining generation and extending of microvoid.     

Impact of Martensite Spatial Distribution on Quasi-Static and Dynamic Deformation Behavior of Dual-Phase Steel

The effects of microstructure parameters of dual-phase steels on tensile high strain dynamic deformation characteristic were examined in this study. Cold-rolled steel sheets were annealed using three different annealing process parameters to obtain three different dual-phase microstructures of varied ferrite and martensite phase fraction. The volume fraction of martensite obtained in two of the steels was near identical (~ 19 pct) with a subtle difference in its spatial distribution. In the first microstructure variant, martensite was mostly found to be situated at ferrite grain boundaries and in the second variant, in addition to at grain boundaries, in-grain martensite was also observed. The third microstructure was very different from the above two with respect to martensite volume fraction (~ 67 pct) and its morphology. In this case, martensite packets were surrounded by a three-dimensional ferrite network giving an appearance of core and shell type microstructure. All the three steels were tensile deformed at strain rates ranging from 2.7 × 10^?4 (quasi-static) to 650 s^?1 (dynamic range). Field-emission scanning electron microscope was used to characterize the starting as well as post-tensile deformed microstructures. Dual-phase steel consisting of small martensite volume fraction (~ 19 pct), irrespective of its spatial distribution, demonstrated high strain rate sensitivity and on the other hand, steel with large martensite volume fraction (~ 67 pct) displayed a very little strain rate sensitivity. Interestingly, total elongation was found to increase with increasing strain rate in the dynamic regime for steel with core–shell type of microstructure containing large martensite volume fraction. The observed enhancement in plasticity in dynamic regime was attributed to adiabatic heating of specimen. To understand the evolving damage mechanism, the fracture surface and the vicinity of fracture ends were studied in all the three dual-phase steels.