Mechanical properties and microstructure of low carbon ultra-high strength steels (UHSS) microalloyed with boron

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe aim of this research work is to study the effect of boron addition on mechanical properties and microstructure of a new family of low carbon NiCrVCu advanced high strength steels (AHSS). Experimental steels are thermo-mechanically processed (TMP) (hot-rolled+quenched). Results show that the microstructure of these steels contains bainite and martensite, predominantly, which nucleate along prior austenite grain boundaries (GB). On the other hand, tensile tests reveal that the TMP steels have YS (0.2% offset) of 978 MPa, UTS of 1140 MPa and EL of 18%. On the basis of exhibited microstructure and mechanical properties, these experimental steels are classified as bainitic-martensitic complex phase (CP) advanced ultra-high strength steels (UHSS).