Effect of Deep Cryogenic Treatment on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of HY-TUF Steel

Abstract

This paper analyzes how a deep cryogenic process changes the microstructure and mechanical properties of a medium-carbon low-alloy steel. The light microscopy, microhardness testing, and transmission electron microscopy reveal that η-carbide and martensite are constituent phases of deep cryogenic treated (DCT) steel, while the microstructure of conventional heat-treated (CHT) steel consists of cementite, martensite, and retained austenite. Transmission electron microscopy also shows that the particles of η-carbide have the shape of ultra-fine globules in DCT martensite. The η-carbides grow in a Hirotsu and Nagakura orientation relationship to the martensitic matrix that enables highly coherent interphase boundaries. The results of the mechanical tests, including tensile and Charpy impact tests, show that the deep cryogenic process can improve toughness in terms of elongation (~12.81%), tensile fracture energy (~266 MPa), and the ductile–brittle transition temperature (~−17.2 °C). The results of fractography are also consistent with the improvement in toughness. It is also found that the strength and macrohardness values are increased. Unlike CHT steel, discontinuous yielding is observed in DCT steel. Moreover, there is no change in Young’s modulus due to the deep cryogenic treatment.