Abstract
• Mn segregation decreases ferrite and increases secondary martensite fraction in the Q&P steel. • Mn segregation causes a lower fraction and stability of retained austenite in the Q&P steel. • Mn segregation degrades the strength and ductility of the Q&P steel due to insufficient TRIP effect. Effect of alloying element segregation on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an intercritically annealed quenching and partitioning steel is experimentally studied. Phase constitution of the segregation band and matrix was compared to elucidate the effect of Mn enrichment on the relevant phase transformation processes and the stability of retained austenite. Tensile specimens including and excluding the segregation band were carefully prepared to reveal the effect of segregation on the mechanical properties. The present study provides direct evidence of the influence of segregation on the microstructure and demonstrates the harmful effect of Mn segregation on both the strength and ductility in the studied quenching and partitioning steel.
Published Version
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