Correlation between microstructure, mechanical properties, and slurry erosion behavior of hot-rolled dual-phase steel

Abstract

A low alloy dual-phase steel was produced via a thermo-mechanical control process to improve production efficiency and reduce costs. The study investigates the influence of martensite volume fractions on the mechanical properties and slurry erosion behavior of the hot-rolled dual-phase steel, and the correlation between the mechanical properties and slurry erosion behavior was revealed to provide insights into the material's wear resistance. Microstructure of dual-phase steel with varying martensite were characterized, and nanohardness, Vickers hardness, tensile propertiy, and slurry erosion were tested. Result indicates that martensite content significantly affects the mechanical propertiy of the hot-rolled dual-phase steel. Hardness and strength increase with increased martensite content, exhibiting a linear relationship. The main strengthening mechanisms are dislocation and solid solution strengthening. Slurry erosion result reveals that matrix hardness, martensite content/size, and work hardening ability significantly impact the slurry erosion performance of hot-rolled dual-phase steel. Martensite plays a crucial role in resisting wear failure, with higher content and larger size providing better protection to the soft ferrite and reducing erosion weight loss. Work hardening ability also leads to a decrease in periodic erosion weight loss.