Effect of Heating and Cooling Rates on the Microstructure of a Double Soaked Medium-manganese Al-alloyed Steel

Abstract

This contribution addresses the effect of heating and cooling rates on the microstructure of a double soaked medium-Mn 0.16C-5 Mn‑1.6Al‑0.2Si steel with an increased Al addition. The obtained results show that the differences in applied heating and cooling rates have a small effect on the microstructure of the investigated steel. Some differences in the dilatometer response during final cooling to room temperature were noted. Moreover, some changes in the fraction of retained austenite at particular heating/cooling variants were identified using the XRD method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and dilatometry were applied to investigate microstructural changes, which occurred during second annealing step in the intercritical temperature range.