Austenite Stabilization by Quenching and Partitioning in a Low-Alloy Medium Carbon Steel

2012 ◽  
Vol 706-709 ◽  
pp. 2234-2239
Author(s):  
E. Paravicini Bagliani ◽  
E. Anelli ◽  
Marco Boniardi
Keyword(s):  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Isothermal Holding ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Medium Carbon Steel ◽  
Medium Carbon ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Untransformed Austenite

Innovative treatments like quenching and partitioning (Q&P) have been recently proposed to improve the combination of strength and ductility of high strength steels by stabilization of significant fractions of retained austenite in a microstructure of tempered martensite. The decomposition of austenite into bainite and carbides precipitation are the two main competitive processes that reduce the content of retained austenite achievable at room temperature. A medium carbon low-silicon steel (0.46% C and 0.25% Si) has been studied to identify in which limits the austenite can be enriched in C and stabilized by Q&P, although a silicon content well below 1.5%, commonly used to retard cementite precipitation, is adopted; indeed, high Si contents are detrimental to the surface quality of the product due to the formation of adherent scale in high temperature manufacturing cycles. The heat treatments have been carried out with a quenching dilatometer, investigating the carbon partitioning process mainly below Ms, where cementite precipitation is not activated. The dilatometric curves show the progressive enrichment of carbon in the untransformed austenite and the occurrence of austenite phase transformation during the isothermal holding below Ms. A range of temperatures and times has been found where a content of about 10% of retained austenite can be stabilized at room temperature, a percentage much lower than the theoretical maximum achievable with the carbon content of this steel.

scholarly journals Effect of Quenching and Partitioning Temperatures in the Q-P Process on the Properties of AHSS with Various Amounts of Manganese and Silicon

2012 ◽  
Vol 706-709 ◽  
pp. 2734-2739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Jirková ◽  
Ludmila Kučerová ◽  
Bohuslav Mašek
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Isothermal Holding ◽  
Bainitic Ferrite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Quenching Temperature ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels

The use of the combined influence of retained austenite and bainitic ferrite to improve strength and ductility has been known for many years from the treatment of multiphase steels. Recently, the very fine films of retained austenite along the martensitic laths have also become the centre of attention. This treatment is called the Q-P process (quenching and partitioning). In this experimental program the quenching temperature and the isothermal holding temperature for diffusion carbon distribution for three advanced high strength steels with carbon content of 0.43 % was examined. The alloying strategies have a different content of manganese and silicon, which leads to various martensite start and finish temperatures. The model treatment was carried out using a thermomechanical simulator. Tested regimes resulted in a tensile strength of over 2000MPa with a ductility of above 14 %. The increase of the partitioning temperature influenced the intensity of martensite tempering and caused the decrease of tensile strength by 400MPa down to 1600MPa and at the same time more than 10 % growth of ductility occurred, increasing it to more than 20%.

scholarly journals Carbon Redistribution and Microstructural Evolution Study during Two-Stage Quenching and Partitioning Process of High-Strength Steels by Modeling

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilin Wang ◽  
Huicheng Geng ◽  
Bin Zhu ◽  
Zijian Wang ◽  
Yisheng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Carbon Redistribution ◽  
Carbon Martensite

The application of the quenching and partitioning (Q-P) process on advanced high-strength steels improves part ductility significantly with little decrease in strength. Moreover, the mechanical properties of high-strength steels can be further enhanced by the stepping-quenching-partitioning (S-Q-P) process. In this study, a two-stage quenching and partitioning (two-stage Q-P) process originating from the S-Q-P process of an advanced high-strength steel 30CrMnSi2Nb was analyzed by the simulation method, which consisted of two quenching processes and two partitioning processes. The carbon redistribution, interface migration, and phase transition during the two-stage Q-P process were investigated with different temperatures and partitioning times. The final microstructure of the material formed after the two-stage Q-P process was studied, as well as the volume fraction of the retained austenite. The simulation results indicate that a special microstructure can be obtained by appropriate parameters of the two-stage Q-P process. A mixed microstructure, characterized by alternating distribution of low carbon martensite laths, small-sized low-carbon martensite plates, retained austenite and high-carbon martensite plates, can be obtained. In addition, a peak value of the volume fraction of the stable retained austenite after the final quenching is obtained with proper partitioning time.

Application of Quenching-Partitioning-Tempering Process in Hot Rolled Plate Fabrication

2010 ◽  
Vol 654-656 ◽  
pp. 82-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Zhou ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Nai Lu Chen ◽  
Yong Hua Rong ◽  
Jian Feng Gu
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Significant Fraction ◽  
Rolled Plate ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Good Ductility ◽  
Hot Rolled ◽  
Rolled Plates

The quenching-partitioning-tempering (Q-P-T) process, based on the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) treatment, has been proposed for producing high strength steels containing significant fraction of film-like retained austenite and controlled amount of fine martensite laths. In this study, a set of Q-P-T processes for C-Mn-Si-Ni-Nb hot rolled plates are designed and realized. The steels with Q-P-T processes present a combination of high strength and relatively good ductility. The origin of such mechanical properties is revealed by microstructure characterization.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Nb-Microalloyed Medium Carbon Steel Treated by Quenching-Partitioning Process

2012 ◽  
Vol 531-532 ◽  
pp. 596-599
Author(s):  
Kai Zhang ◽  
Shang Wen Lu ◽  
Yao Hui Ou ◽  
Xiao Dong Wang ◽  
Ning Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Medium Carbon Steel ◽  
Orientation Relationships ◽  
Medium Carbon ◽  
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties

The recently developed “quenching and partitioning” heat treatment and “quenching-partitioning-tempering” heat treatment are novel processing technologies, which are designed for achieving advanced high strength steels (AHSS) with combination of high strength and adequate ductility. In present study, a medium carbon steel containing Nb was subjected to the Q-P-T process, and both the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. The experimental results show that the Nb-microalloyed steel demonstrates high tensile strength and relatively high elongation. The microstructure of the steel was investigated in terms of scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, and the results indicate that the Q-P-T steel consist of fine martensite laths with dispersive carbide precipitates and the film-like interlath retained austenite. The orientation relationships between martensite and retained austenite is as well-known Kurdjurmov-Sachs relationship and Nishiyama-Wasserman relationship.

Microstructural Evolution of Medium Carbon Steels during the Quenching and Partitioning Process

2010 ◽  
Vol 654-656 ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Yan Li ◽  
Xue Jun Jin
Keyword(s):  
Lath Martensite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Lower Bainite ◽  
Carbon Steels ◽  
Medium Carbon ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Multiphase Microstructure ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels ◽  
Medium Carbon Steels

The “Quenching and Partitioning” (Q&P) process is a novel heat treatment designed for processing new generation advanced high strength steels (AHSS) with substantial ductility. In this study, evolution of complex microstructure for medium carbon steels during the Q&P process has been discussed in detail. Such steels have shown a complex multiphase microstructure consisted of fresh lath-martensite, fresh plate-martensite, transition carbide and/or cementite, isothermal martensite/lower bainite, and second twin-martensite after the one-step Q&P process (with the identical quenching and partitioning temperature). The morphology for the microstructure at room temperature after the two-step Q&P process (with different quenching and partitioning temperatures) demonstrated a little different. The formation of different microstructure for these two processes and their correlation with the mechanical properties are discussed.

Quenching and Partitioning of Ni-Added High Strength Steels

2007 ◽  
Vol 539-543 ◽  
pp. 4476-4481 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.C. Rizzo ◽  
A.R. Martins ◽  
John G. Speer ◽  
David K. Matlock ◽  
A. Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retained Austenite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Processing Parameters ◽  
Carbide Formation ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Steel Microstructure ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels ◽  
Treatment Procedures

High strength steels containing significant fractions of retained austenite have been developed in recent years, and are the subject of growing commercial interest when associated with the TRIP phenomenon during deformation. A new process concept “quenching and partitioning” (Q&P) has been proposed by CSM/USA, and the results show the potential to create a new kind of steel microstructure with controlled amounts of retained austenite, enriched by carbon partitioning. Four steels containing C, Si, Mn, Ni, Cr and Mo, were designed with variation in the Ni and C content, aiming to decrease Bs temperature and to suppress carbide formation during the partitioning treatment. Several heat-treatment procedures were performed in specimens previously machined for tensile testing, while x-ray diffraction was used to determine the fraction of retained austenite. The tensile test results showed that except for the high C high Ni alloy, most of the processing conditions resulted in strengths superior to those of advanced high strength steels (AHSS), although it is importantly recognized that higher alloy additions were used in this study, in comparison with conventional AHSS grades.. A variety of strength and ductility combinations were observed, confirming the potential of the Q&P process and illustrating the strong influence of the final microstructure on the mechanical properties. Experimental results for samples partitioned at 400 °C indicate that higher ultimate tensile strength is associated with higher fraction of retained austenite for multiple heat treatments of each alloy investigated. The amount of retained austenite obtained was generally lower than that predicted by the model. Further studies are in progress to understand the influence of alloying and processing parameters (time/temperature) on the partitioning of carbon and precipitation of transition carbides.

Optimization of the Product of Strength and Plasticity of Hot-Stamped WHT1300HF High Strength Steel

2013 ◽  
Vol 798-799 ◽  
pp. 280-285
Author(s):  
Kai Liu ◽  
Bo Chi ◽  
Zeng Min Shi ◽  
Ji Bin Liu ◽  
Li Jian
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
High Strength Steel ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Carbide Precipitation ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Untransformed Austenite ◽  
Strength And Plasticity

The quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process was performed on high strength steel WHT1300HF at 250-350 °C for 30 to 90 s, respectively, for the improvement of its product of strength and plasticity (PSP). ε-carbide precipitation was observed in all the specimens partitioned at each temperature for different periods of time due to inadequate amount of Si in the composition of WHT1300HF steel. The volume fraction of retained austenite at room temperature in the partitioned specimens is extremely low due to the lack of carbon enrichment in untransformed austenite at the partitioning temperature as a result of the carbide precipitation. The decrease of tensile strength and increase of elongation are caused by the partitioning treatment, a maximum value of the PSP (17.6 GPa%) is achieved by partitioning at 300 °C for 60 s.

Dynamics of the Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Process

2011 ◽  
Vol 172-174 ◽  
pp. 827-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Bigg ◽  
David K. Matlock ◽  
John G. Speer ◽  
David Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Model Alloy ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Treatment Concept ◽  
Metallographic Examination ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Untransformed Austenite ◽  
Direct Inspection

The novel heat treatment concept of Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) offers exciting prospects for the production of higher strength steel products with enhanced formability from a microstructure containing retained austenite and martensite. The Q&P process hinges on an interrupted quench and partitioning step at intermediate temperatures whereby the untransformed austenite can be thermodynamically stabilised by enrichment of carbon from the supersaturated martensite. Although the concept is similar to that producing carbide-free bainite in TRIP-assisted steel, Q&P offers the advantage of separating the ferrite formation and austenite enrichment stages of the process. While the concept is readily understood, the details of microstructural evolution during interrupted quenching and partitioning steps are difficult to study and are generally inferred from dilatometry or metallographic examination after a final quench back to room temperature. Consequently, in this study, alloying has been used to develop a model alloy in which the sequential steps of heat treatment can be separated for closer, more direct inspection by neutron diffraction techniques.

scholarly journals Temperature Dependence of the Static and Dynamic Behaviour in a Quenching and Partitioning Processed Low-Si Steel

Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Vercruysse ◽  
Carola Celada-Casero ◽  
Bernd M. Linke ◽  
Patricia Verleysen ◽  
Roumen H. Petrov
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Retained Austenite ◽  
High Strength Steels ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Dynamic Strain ◽  
Strain Rates ◽  
Trip Effect ◽  
Quenching And Partitioning ◽  
Advanced High Strength Steels ◽  
Wide Range

Because of their excellent combination of strength and ductility, quenching and partitioning (Q & P) steels have a great chance of being added to the third generation of advanced high strength steels. The large ductility of Q & P steels arises from the presence of 10% to 15% of retained austenite which postpones necking due to the transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect. Moreover, Q & P steels show promising forming properties with favourable Lankford coefficients, while their planar anisotropy is low due to a weak texture. The stability of the metastable austenite is the key to obtain tailored properties for these steels. To become part of the newest generation of advanced high strength steels, Q & P steels have to preserve their mechanical properties at dynamic strain rates and over a wide range of temperatures. Therefore, in the present study, a low-Si Q & P steel was tested at temperatures from −40 °C to 80 °C and strain rates from 0.001 s−1 to 500 s−1. Results show that the mechanical properties are well-preserved at the lowest temperatures. Indeed, at −40 °C and room temperature, no significant loss of the deformation capacity is observed even at dynamic strain rates. This is attributed to the presence of a large fraction of austenite that is so (thermally) stable that it does not transform in the absence of deformation. In addition, the high stability of the austenite decreases the elongation at high test temperatures (80 °C). The additional adiabatic heating in the dynamic tests causes the largest reduction of the uniform strain for the samples tested at 80 °C. Quantification of the retained austenite fraction in the samples after testing confirmed that, at the highest temperature and strain rate, the TRIP effect is suppressed.

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