Design and optimization of processing conditions for a recent quenched and partitioned steel

Abstract

Q&P steels as a "Third Generation" of (AHSS) exhibit excellent tensile properties, which enable producing lightweight sections for the automotive industry and at the same time keep safety requirements. This research aims to predict the proper processing conditions for developing ultra-high-strength Q&P steel with a novel chemical composition of 0.37 C-3.65 Mn- 0.65Si- 0.87 Al- 1.5 Ni- 0.05P, wt. %. To design and optimize proper heat treatment conditions, the phase diagram, CCT curve, and critical temperatures of these alloys were first implemented using THERMO-CALC and JMATE PRO software and Gleeble 3500 machine. The heat treatment process included full austenitization, then quenching at 120°C followed by partitioning at 450°C for different times. The tensile properties, microstructure, and retained austenite volume fraction of heat-treated steel was studied at room temperature by tensile testing machine, optical microscope, and XRD. The finding summarized that partitioning of this steel for 100 s during processing had developed Q&P steel with ultra-high-strength of 1104 MPa with maximum total elongation and strength elongation balance 8.1 % and 8932 MPa %, respectively. The optical micrograph showed that heat-treated specimens at different partitioning times have had a microstructure of tempered martensite, carbide free bainite, and retained austenite. Besides, the retained austenite volume fraction has decreased with increasing partitioning time, which may be due to carbide precipitation during partitioning.