Effect of silicon content on microstructure of low-alloy Q&P-Processed steels

4th International Conference Recent Trends in Structural Materials

Vorel, I.^1 ; Jeníek, Š.^1 ; Káa, J.^1 ; Ibrahim, K.^1 ; Kotovec, V.^1 ; Maek, B.^1

University of West Bohemia, Regional Technological Institute, Univerzitní 22, Plze, Czech Republic^1

关键词: Austempering;    Carbon-enriched;    Functional parts;    High strength;    Low temperatures;    Retained austenite;    Silicon contents;    Treatment methods;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/179/1/012068/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1757-899X/179/1/012068

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Today's requirements for the design of functional parts and components demand low weight and, at the same time, high strength. There are several heat treatment methods which can satisfy such requirements. These include TRIP heat treatment, long-time low-temperature austempering, and Q&P processing. It is the Q&P processing which delivers excellent results in terms of mechanical properties and light weight. It relies on stabilising retained austenite through partitioning of carbon between martensite and austenite. The carbon-enriched austenite then becomes a ductile constituent in the otherwise brittle martensitic matrix. A precondition for successful Q&P processing consists in sufficient silicon content in the steel, which precludes precipitation of undesirable cementite. Cementite would otherwise form as a result of enrichment of retained austenite with carbon. To ascertain the usefulness of higher silicon level in steel for Q&P processing, one can compare Q&P processes in steels with various levels of this element.