Abstract
A non-standard heat-treating process has been successfully applied for improving the mechanical properties of low carbon Fe-0.12% C-0.5% Mn steels. The process consists of alternate thermal cycling in the γ range and two phase ( α + γ) range with intermediate quenching so as to produce a microduplex fine grained mixture of martensite and proeutectoid ferrite. Some retained austenite is also present. These structures were characterized using optical and transmission electron microscopy. The microduplex structures and the related tensile properties resulting from the heat treatment were compared with those after conventional and rapid heat treatment methods. The tensile properties of the microduplex structures are related to the volume fractions of ferrite and harder martensite phases as a composite, and the refined grain size. Considerable increases in strength are obtained which indicate potential applications of these heat treatments for strengthening steels e.g. in automobiles, thereby achieving weight reductions and fuel savings.
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