Effect of Austenization Temperature on the Microstructure in Cr-Mn-Si Steel
This work is a part of research on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Cr-Mn-Si steels after various thermal treatments. In order to increase the resistance of the materials against failure it is necessary to possess simultaneously high strength and plasticity at the same time. Normally, in conventional metals, this is impossible. The purpose of the present study is to trace the polymorphic transformation of the microstructure and the redistribution of the trace elements in the corresponding microstructural transformations of the steel at each stage of applied heat treatment - austenization, quenching, austempering, tempering. The chosen sequence of applied heat treatments is to obtain a bainite structure of up to 50% in order to achieve high strength and toughness of the material.