In the present study, the effect of intercritical heat treatment temperature on the tensile properties and work hardening behavior of ferritic-martensitic dual-phase steel have been investigated utilizing tensile test, microhardness measurement and microscopic observation. Plain carbon steel sheet with a thickness of 2 mm was heat treated at 760, 780, 800, 820 and 840 °C intercritical temperatures. The results showed that martensite volume fraction (Vm) increases from 32 to 81%with increasing temperature from 760 to 840 °C. The mechanical properties of samples were examined by tensile and microhardness tests. The results revealed that yield strength was increased linearly with the increase in Vm, but the ultimate strength was increased up to 55% Vm and then decreased afterward. Analyzing the work hardening behavior in term of Hollomon equation showed that in samples with less than 55% Vm, the work hardening took place in one stage and the work hardening exponent increased with increasing Vm. More than one stage was observed in the work hardening behavior when Vm was increased. The results of microhardness test showed that microhardness of the martensite is decreased by increase in heat treatment temperature while the ferrite microhardness is nearly constant for all heat-treated samples.
Intercritical Heat Treatment Temperature Dependence of Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Dual Phase Steel
