Effect of microstructure on the stability of retained austenite in transformation-induced-plasticity steels

Two Fe-0.2C-1.55Mn-1.5Si (in wt pct) steels, with and without the addition of 0.039Nb (in wt pct), were studied using laboratory rolling-mill simulations of controlled thermomechanical processing. The microstructures of all samples were characterized by optical metallography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microstructural behavior of phases under applied strain was studied using a heat-tinting technique. Despite the similarity in the microstructures of the two steels (equal amounts of polygonal ferrite, carbide-free bainite, and retained austenite), the mechanical properties were different. The mechanical properties of these transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) steels depended not only on the individual behavior of all these phases, but also on the interaction between the phases during deformation. The polygonal ferrite and bainite of the C-Mn-Si steel contributed to the elongation more than these phases in the C-Mn-Si-Nb-steel. The stability of retained austenite depends on its location within the microstructure, the morphology of the bainite, and its interaction with other phases during straining. Granular bainite was the bainite morphology that provided the optimum stability of the retained austenite.     

Effect of Microstructure in TRIP Steel on Its Tensile Behavior at High Strain Rate

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Effect of Thermomechanical Processing on Microstructures of TRIP Steel

 In order to control retained austenite, the effect of hot deformation in the intercritical region on the microstructure of hot rolled transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel was studied on a Gleeble 1500 hot simulator. Compressive strains varying in amounts from 0 to 60% were imposed in the intercritical region, and effects on the formation of polygonal ferrite, carbide free bainite and retained austenite were determined. With increasing the hot deformation amount and the ferrite content and decreasing the carbide free bainite content, the volume fraction of retained austenite decreases. Increased dislocation density, grain refinement of ferrite and carbon enrichment are the main factors which control retained austenite stability.     

1000MPa级TRIP钢的组织性能及强化机理

鉴于热镀锌TRIP钢在成分和工艺上的特殊性,试验采用低Si含P以及V微合金化的成分设计思路,并进行镀锌连续退火工艺模拟,分析其微观组织和性能。探讨了残余奥氏体稳定性的影响因素及强化机理。结果表明,添加P和采取较高的冷轧变形量均有利于提高残余奥氏体量及其稳定性。在残余奥氏体的形变诱导马氏体相变、贝氏体和V析出的强化作用以及铁素体晶粒细化的共同作用下,抗拉强度和强塑积分别达到1 035 MPa和25 875 MPa·%。     

Enhancement of the mechanical properties of a low-carbon, low-silicon steel by formation of a multiphased microstructure containing retained Austenite

Dual-phase and transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-assisted multiphase steels are related families of high-strength formable steels exhibiting excellent mechanical characteristics. This study shows how a ferrite-bainite-martensite microstructure containing retained austenite can improve the mechanical properties of a cold-rolled low-carbon, low-silicon steel. Such a multiphased microstructure is obtained by a heat treatment involving intercritical annealing followed by a bainite transformation tempering. Depending on the heat-treatment parameters, the samples present a variety of microstructures. Due to the presence of retained austenite, some samples exhibit a TRIP effect not anticipated with such a low silicon content. A composite strengthening effect also results from the simultaneous presence of a ductile ferrite matrix with bainite and martensite as hard second phases. A true stress at maximum load of 800 MPa and a true uniform strain of 0.18 can be obtained by forming a ferrite-bainite-martensite microstructure containing up to 10 pct of retained austenite. These properties correspond to a favorable evolution of work hardening during plastic deformation.     

基于动态相变的热轧Nb-V-Ti微合金化TRIP钢组织及性能

通过单轴热压缩试验,结合扫描电镜以及X射线衍射技术,研究了动态相变前奥氏体晶粒状态对基于动态相变的热轧Nb-V-Ti微合金化TRIP钢复相组织状态及力学性能的影响.与动态相变前奥氏体晶粒为等轴状条件下相比,动态相变前奥氏体晶粒为拉长状条件下,动态相变得到的铁素体转变量较大,最终复相组织中贝氏体含量较少且团径较小,马氏体含量较少,但对残余奥氏体含量及其含碳量影响不明显.与不含微合金化元素的基于动态相变的热轧TRIP钢相比,Nb-V-Ti微合金化TRIP钢的屈服强度和抗拉强度明显提高,而延伸率有所降低.      

Mechanical Property and Microstructural Characterization of C-Mn-Al-Si Hot Dip Galvanizing TRIP Steel

 Mechanical properties and microstructure in high strength hot dip galvanizing TRIP steel were investigated by optical microscope (OM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dilatometry and mechanical testing. On the heat treatment process of different intercritical annealing (IA) temperatures, isothermal bainitic transformation (IBT) temperatures and IBT time, this steel shows excellent mechanical properties with tensile strength over 780 MPa and elongation more than 22%. IBT time is a crucial factor in determining the mechanical properties as it confirms the bainite transformation process, as well as the microstructure of the steel. The microstructure of the hot dip galvanizing TRIP steel consisted of ferrite, bainite, retained austenite and martensite during the short IBT time. The contents of ferrite, bainite, retained austenite and martensite with different IBT time were calculated. The results showed that when IBT time increased from 20 to 60 s, the volume of bainite increased from 14.31% to 16.95% and the volume of retained austenite increased from 13.64% to 16.28%; meanwhile, the volume of martensite decreased from 7.18% to 1.89%. Both the transformation induced plasticity of retained austenite and the hardening of martensite are effective, especially, the latter plays a dominant role in the steel containing 7.18% martensite which shows similar strength characteristics as dual-phase steel, but a better elongation. When martensite volume decreases to 1.89%, the steel shows typical mechanical properties of TRIP, as so small amount of martensite has no obvious effect on the mechanical properties.     

相变时间对CSP热轧TRIP钢组织和性能的影响

利用OM、SEM、XRD、EBSD和室温拉伸试验机等研究了CSP热轧TRIP钢中间缓冷时间及贝氏体等温时间对组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明,随着中间缓冷时间的延长,试验钢中的铁素体和残余奥氏体体积分数增加,贝氏体体积分数减少;抗拉强度基本不变,屈服强度逐渐降低,断后伸长率和强塑积变化不明显。中间缓冷时间为6 s时,可满足CSP产线的要求。对贝氏体相变时间的研究表明,当等温时间为15 min时,试验钢中的残余奥氏体主要分布于铁素体/铁素体界面、铁素体/贝氏体界面以及贝氏体中,体积分数约为7.1%,表现出良好的TRIP效应。其抗拉强度、屈服强度、断后伸长率和强塑积分别达到744.0 MPa、522.5 MPa、29.3%和21.8 GPa·%,力学性能最优。当等温时间延长至50 min时,试验钢中的贝氏体含量增加,残余奥氏体体积分数减少至2.7%,强塑积明显下降。     

不同工艺下低碳Mn-Si钢的组织与力学性能

通过Gleeble-1500热模拟压缩试验,借助光学显微镜、扫描电镜、X射线衍射及拉伸试验等,研究一种低碳Mn-Si钢在基于热轧动态相变的热轧TRIP钢工艺和基于贝氏体等温处理工艺下的组织与力学性能,比较了通过两种工艺获得的不同复相组织状态对材料的加工硬化能力的影响.结果表明:实验钢在基于动态相变的热轧TRIP钢工艺下获得了以细晶铁素体为基体和贝氏体、残余奥氏体组成的复相组织,而在基于贝氏体等温处理工艺下得到了以板条贝氏体为基体和残余奥氏体组成的复相组织,前者中残余奥氏体含量较高且其碳含量也较高.实验钢具有以板条贝氏体为基体的复相组织时屈服强度和抗拉强度较高;但由于残余奥氏体稳定性较差,实验钢的加工硬化能力较弱,导致其均匀延伸率和总延伸率较小.      

连续退火的无Si TRIP钢的组织和力学性能

在实验室用Gleeble3500热模拟试验机制备了一种无Si TRIP钢.利用拉伸试验机、扫描电镜、透射电镜、X射线衍射以及热膨胀仪对其力学性能、微观组织和相变规律进行研究,在此基础上分析了贝氏体相变温度和时间对力学性能和残余奥氏体的影响.无Si TRIP钢呈现出良好的整体力学性能,抗拉强度分布在740~810 MPa,延伸率均在25%以上,最高可达32%以上;贝氏体等温温度为420℃时能获得最佳的综合力学性能,抗拉强度随贝氏体相变时间增加而下降,延伸率随之上升,而屈服强度没有显著变化.无Si TRIP制的铁素体晶粒大小约为3~4μm,比含Si TRIP钢铁素体晶粒细小;残余奥氏体的体积分数在8%~10%,比含Si TRIP钢低约3%;420℃保温300 s后贝氏体相变基本结束,而碳的扩散仍然在进行;无Si TRIP钢贝氏体相变速率比含Si TRIP钢快,贝氏体相变总量也更多.      

Effect of alloying elements on the microstructure‐property relationship in thermomechanically processed C‐Mn‐Si TRIP steels

The effect of additions of Nb, Al and Mo to Fe‐C‐Mn‐Si TRIP steel on the final microstructure and mechanical properties after simulated thermomechanical processing (TMP) has been studied. The laboratory simulations of discontinuous cooling during TMP were performed using a hot rolling mill. All samples were characterised using optical microscopy and image analysis. The volume fraction of retained austenite was ascertained using a heat tinting technique and X‐ray diffraction measurements. Room temperature mechanical properties were determined by a tensile test. From this a comprehensive understanding of the structural aspect of the bainite transformation in these types of TRIP steels has been developed. The results have shown that the final microstructures of thermomechanically processed TRIP steels comprise ~ 50 % of polygonal ferrite, 7 ‐12 % of retained austenite, non‐carbide bainitic structure and martensite. All steels exhibited a good combination of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation. The microstructure‐property examination revealed the relationship between the composition of TRIP steels and their mechanical properties. It has been shown that the addition of Mo to the C‐Si‐Mn‐Nb TRIP steel increases the ultimate tensile strength up to 1020 MPa. The stability of the retained austenite of the Nb‐Mo steel was degraded, which led to a decrease in the elongation (24 %). The results have demonstrated that the addition of Al to C‐Si‐Mn‐Nb steel leads to a good combination of strength (~ 940 MPa) and elongation (~ 30 %) due to the formation of refined acicular ferrite and granular bainite structure with ~7 ‐ 8 % of stable retained austenite. Furthermore, it has been found that the addition of Al increases the volume fraction of bainitic ferrite laths. The investigations have shown an interesting result that, in the Nb‐Mo‐Al steel, Al has a more pronounced effect on the microstructure in comparison with Mo. It has been found that the bainitic structure of the Nb‐Mo‐Al steel appears to be more granular than in the Nb‐Mo steel. Moreover, the volume fraction of the retained austenite increased (12 %) with decreasing bainitic ferrite content. The results have demonstrated that this steel has the best mechanical properties (1100 MPa and 28 % elongation). It has been concluded that the combined effect of Nb, Mo, and Al addition on the dispersion of the bainite, martensite and retained austenite in the ferrite matrix and the morphology of these phases is different than effect of Nb, Mo and Al, separately.     

Retained austenite characteristics in thermomechanically processed Si-Mn transformation-induced plasticity steels

It is well known that a significant amount of retained austenite can be obtained in steels containing high additions (>1 pct) of Si, where bainite is the predominant microconstituent. Furthermore, retained austenite with optimum characteristics (volume fraction, composition, morphology, size, and distribution), when present in ferrite plus bainite microstructures, can potentially increase strength and ductility, such that formability and final properties are greatly improved. These beneficial properties can be obtained largely by transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP). In this work, the effect of a microalloy addition (0.035 pct Nb) in a 0.22 pct C-1.55 pct Si-1.55 pct Mn TRIP steel was investigated. Niobium was added to enable the steel to be processed by a variety of thermomechanical processing (TMP) routes, thus allowing the effects of prior austenite grain size, austenite recrystallization temperature, Nb in austenite solid solution, and Nb as a precipitate to be studied. The results, which were compared with those of the same steel without Nb, indicate that the retained austenite volume fraction is strongly influenced by both prior austenite grain size and the state of Nb in austenite. Promoting Nb(CN) precipitation by the change in TMP conditions resulted in a decrease in the V _RA . These findings are rationalized by considering the effects of changes in the TMP conditions on the subsequent transformation characteristics of the parent austenite.     

冷轧TRIP590钢带的成分优化

 化学成分和热处理工艺是影响TRIP钢力学性能的关键因素。通过热模拟试验方法研究了不同成分试验钢在临界区退火过程中的微观组织变化规律。结果表明：随着两相区退火温度的升高,铁素体平均晶粒尺寸逐渐减小,铁素体体积分数随着加热温度的升高而降低;残余奥氏体量和其中的C质量分数先随着退火温度的升高而降低,达到一个低谷以后,再随退火温度的升高而升高;在相同的退火温度下,随着Nb的加入,多边形铁素体晶粒尺寸细化,铁素体体积分数逐渐减少;既加Nb又高Si的试验钢钢中残奥数量最多,不加Nb的试验钢中残奥数量最少。TRIP钢试制结果表明,钢带组织类型为典型的TRIP钢组织,多边形铁素体平均晶粒尺寸约8μm,体积分数67%,残余奥氏体体积分数为5.58%,残余奥氏体中C质量分数为1.34%,同时,力学性能也完全满足TRIP590的性能要求。     

Effect of Cooling Method on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Rolled C-Si-Mn TRIP Steel

 The controlled cooling technology following hot rolling process is a vital factor that affects the final microstructure and mechanical properties of the hot-rolled transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. In the present study, low alloy C-Si-Mn TRIP steel was successfully fabricated by hot rolling process with a 450 hot rolling mill. To maximize the volume fraction and stability of retained austenite of the steel, two different cooling methods (air-cooling and ultra-fast cooling “AC-UFC” and ultra-fast cooling, air-cooling and ultra-fast cooling “UFC-AC-UFC”) were conducted. The effects of the cooling method on the microstructure of hot-rolled TRIP steel were investigated via optical microscope, transmission electron microscope and conversion electron Mssbauer spectroscope. The mechanical properties of the steel were also evaluated by conventional tensile test. The results indicated that ferrite and bainite in the microstructure were refined with the cooling method of UFC-AC-UFC. The morphology of retained austenite was also changed from small islands distributing in bainite district (obtained with AC-UFC) to granular shape locating at the triple junction of the ferrite grain boundaries (obtained with UFC-AC-UFC). As a result, the TRIP steel with a content of retained austenite of 1152%, total elongation of 32% and product of tensile strength and total elongation of 27552 MPa·% was obtained.     

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Low-Carbon Mn-Si Multiphase Steel Based on Dynamic Transformation of Undercooled Austenite

The microstructure evolution of 0.20C-2.00Mn-2.00Si steel treated by the thermomechanical process to manufacture hot-rolled, transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel based on dynamic transformation of undercooled austenite was investigated using a Gleeble 1500 (Dynamic Systems, Inc., Poestenkill, NY) hot simulation test machine in combination with light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of this steel with different multiphase microstructures were also analyzed using room-temperature tensile tests. The results indicated that the multi-phase microstructures consisting of fine-grained ferrite with a size of 1–3 μm, bainite packets, and retained austenite and martensite were formed for the used steel by a thermo-mechanical process involving dynamic transformation of undercooled austenite, controlled cooling, isothermal bainite treatment and water-quenching. With the increase in the strain of hot deformation of undercooled austenite, the fraction of ferrite increased, that of bainite decreased, and that of martensite increased. At the same time, the fraction of retained austenite (RA), as well as the carbon content of RA, first increased and then decreased. For the used steel treated by such process, the tensile strength is about 1200 MPa with a total elongation of about 20 pct, and the product of tensile strength and total elongation can be up to 25,000 MPa × pct.     

终轧温度对低硅含磷系TRIP钢组织性能的影响

通过实验室热轧试验,研究了不同终轧温度下低硅含磷系热轧TRIP钢的组织特征及性能特点。结果表明：终轧温度由900℃降低到790℃,铁素体体积分数增加,贝氏体体积分数降低,残余奥氏体体积分数变化不太明显;终轧温度900和820℃时,得到贝氏体为基体的室温组织;终轧温度降低到790℃时,低温变形促进了奥氏体到铁素体的相变率...     

Mechanical Properties of TRIP Steel Microalloyed with Ti

The precipitation state, microstructure, retained austenite stability, and mechanical properties of cold-rolled Ti-microalloyed CMnAlSiP TRIP steel were investigated. The precipitation state was analyzed in each processing step by means of transmission electron microscopy, chemical analysis using the anodic dissolution method, and by model calculations. Ti additions refined the microstructure mainly by the pinning of austenite and ferrite grain boundaries by various Ti-containing precipitates. Ti additions also resulted in a refinement of the size of the retained austenite islands and caused a slight decrease of the volume fraction and carbon content of the retained austenite. The morphology of the retained austenite was also changed and the stability of the retained austenite decreased, but Ti addition still resulted in an adequate strength-ductility balance and a tensile strength close to 1 GPa.     

一次淬火马氏体对Q&P钢组织和性能的影响

 研究了一次淬火马氏体对低合金钢经淬火和配分(Quenching and Partitioning,Q&P)工艺后微观组织和单轴拉伸性能的影响,用扫描电镜进行微观组织表征,用X射线法测量残留奥氏体量。试验结果表明,随着一次淬火马氏体比例的增加,二次淬火马氏体的尺寸和数量逐渐减少,残留奥氏体体积分数呈先增加后减少的趋势,一次淬火马氏体体积分数为40%时获得最大残留奥氏体体积分数为16.92%。一次淬火马氏体体积分数为30%～70%时试验钢获得了较高的塑性和强塑积,马氏体基体为钢提供了高强度,残留奥氏体在变形过程中的TRIP效应提高了钢的塑性。     

TRIP钢显微组织与性能关系的评述

概述了近20年来汽车材料中TRIP钢的研究进展情况。对影响TRIP钢强度和塑性的显微组织从其大小、形貌及含量等多方面进行了分析和比较，认为要使TRIP钢具优良的强度和塑性匹配，应优化该钢显微组织中各相含量的配比。     

控轧控冷TRIP钢的微观相组成及其与力学性能的关系

采用电子背散射衍射技术等实验方法,研究了控轧控冷工艺制备的铌钒微合金化C-Mn-Si系热轧TRIP钢的显微组织及相组成,并分析了与其对应的力学性能.奥氏体轧制过程中的热变形及随后的冷却工艺对最终各相组织的形貌、大小和分布都有直接影响,并决定TRIP钢最终的力学性能.对TRIP钢卷取温度的模拟结果显示,与450和350℃模拟卷取温度相比,400℃模拟卷取温度能使该钢获得更好的综合力学性能.