Microstructure, properties, and age hardening behavior of a thermomechanically processed ultralow-carbon cu-bearing high-strength steel

An ultralow-carbon steel alloyed with Ni, Mn, Mo, and Cu and microalloyed with Nb and Ti was subjected to a three-stage controlled rolling operation followed by water quenching. The effect of thermomechanical processing on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and age-hardening behavior of the steel was evaluated. The precipitation behavior of Cu at different aging temperatures was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The high strength values obtained in the present steel are due to the fine-lath martensite structure along with tiny precipitates of microalloying carbide and carbonitride of Ti and Nb at all finish rolling temperatures (FRTs). The increased strength value at the lower FRT is due to the finer lath width and packet size of martensite. The large TiN particles and the coarse martensite-austenite (MA) constituents impaired the impact-toughness value of the steel at subambient temperature. On aging at different temperatures, a wide variation in structure and properties has been obtained. At low aging temperatures, coherent Cu particles form and a peak strength is obtained due to the formation of fine ε-Cu precipitates. On increasing aging temperatures, the Cu particle size increases, with a simultaneous decrease in dislocation density in the matrix resulting in a continuous decrease in strength

Influence of Aging and Thermomechanical Treatments on the Mechanical Properties of a Nanocluster-Strengthened Ferritic Steel

This study investigated the effect of aging and thermomechanical treatments on the mechanical properties of a nanocluster-strengthened ferritic steel, Fe-1.5Mn-2.5Cu-4.0Ni-1.0Al (wt pct). The effect of thermomechanical treatments on the microhardness and tensile properties were measured at room temperature and correlated with microstructural features. Cu-rich precipitates were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and were found to coarsen slowly during long-time aging. The microhardness measurements indicate a typical precipitation hardening behavior during aging at 773 K (500 A degrees C). Tensile tests showed that thermomechanical treatments can improve the mechanical strength and ductility of the nanocluster-strengthened ferritic steel significantly compared with those without the treatments. Fractography results indicated that the high yield strength resulted from precipitation hardening makes the steel more susceptible to grain-boundary decohesion, which can be suppressed by grain refinement. Atmosphere adsorption and diffusion along grain boundaries were found to intensify brittle intergranular fracture, and this embrittlement can be avoided by vacuum heat treatment