The effect of microstructure on the mechanical behaviour of a low carbon, low alloy steel

Abstract

The effect of microstructure on the mechanical behaviour of a low carbon, low alloy steel was studied. The hot-rolled ferrite-pearlite showed low monotonic and cyclic strengths with high ductility in terms of true fracture strain and a high shreshold stress intensity. The quenched and tempered low carbon martensite showed high monotonic and cyclic strengths and high ductility. However, the threshold stress intensity was significantly lower than that of the ferrite-pearlite. Both the strength and threshold stress intensity of an austempered bainite and a duplex ferrite-martensite are greater than those of the hot-rolled ferrite-pearlite. At a same strength level, the ductility and the threshold stress intensity of the low carbon martensite are higher than those of a medium carbon martensite.