Texture and mechanical properties of quenching and partitioning steel

Abstract

Advanced high-strength steels, such as quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels, are of considerable interest in the automotive industry owing to their desirable mechanical properties. However, further research is required to elucidate the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties of Q&P steels. Therefore, this study investigated the microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of Fe0.23C1.55Si1.92Mn0.04Al Q&P steel prepared under different conditions. After tensile deformation, the intensity of the H {001}〈110〉 orientation in the samples increased from 2.47 to 3.51. The sample partitioned at 375 °C for 60 s had the highest ultimate tensile strength of 1446 MPa. The sample partitioned at 450 °C for 180 s achieved the highest elongation at fracture of 17.7%. As the partitioning temperature (PT) increased, the width of the lath martensite increased, the volume fraction of primary martensite decreased, and the secondary martensite of the III sample increased. As the partitioning time (Pt) increased, the size and content of secondary martensite decreased.