Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Processing of Martensitic Stainless Steels

Austenite was stabilized in the martensitic stainless steel grade AISI 420 by means of quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processing. The effects of quenching temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The specimens processed at low quench temperatures (regime I) had a microstructure consisting of tempered martensite and retained austenite. At high quench temperatures (regime II), fresh martensite was present too. The highest austenite fraction of about 0.35 was obtained at the quench temperature delineating regimes I and II. The amount of carbon in retained austenite increased as the quench temperature decreased. The carbon level of austenite was, however, much lower than the carbon concentrations expected from full partitioning assumption. This was mainly due to the extensive cementite formation in the partitioning step. Stabilization of austenite by Q&P processing was found not to be purely chemical. Austenite stabilization was also assisted by locking, because of local carbon enrichment, of potential martensite nucleation sites in the austenite/martensite boundaries and in austenite defects. The importance of the latter stabilization mechanism increased at higher martensite fractions. According to the tensile test results, the Q&P processed specimen with the highest austenite fraction was not associated with the best combination of strength and ductility. The mechanical stability of austenite was found to increase with its carbon concentration being the highest at the lowest quench temperature. The thermal stability, on the other hand, was almost inversely proportional to the retained austenite fraction, being low at intermediate quench temperatures where the retained austenite fraction was high.     

Effect of Retained Austenite on the Fracture Toughness of Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P)-Treated Sheet Steels

Fracture toughness K _IC was measured by double edge-notched tension (DENT) specimens with fatigue precracks on quenching and partitioning (Q&P)-treated high-strength (ultimate tensile strength [UTS] superior to 1200 MPa) sheet steels consisting of 4 to 10 vol pct of retained austenite. Crack extension force, G _IC, evaluated from the measured K _IC, is used to analyze the role of retained austenite in different fracture behavior. Meanwhile, G _IC is deduced by a constructed model based on energy absorption by martensite transformation (MT) behavior of retained austenite in Q&P-treated steels. The tendency of the change of two results is in good agreement. The Q&P-treated steel, quenched at 573 K (300 °C), then partitioned at 573 K (300 °C), holding for 60 seconds, has a fracture toughness of 74.1 MPa·m^1/2, which is 32 pct higher than quenching and tempering steel (55.9 MPa·m^1/2), and 16 pct higher than quenching and austempering (QAT) steel (63.8 MPa·m^1/2). MT is found to occur preferentially at the tips of extension cracks on less stable retained austenite, which further improves the toughness of Q&P steels; on the contrary, the MT that occurs at more stable retained austenite has a detrimental effect on toughness.     

A Finite-Element Approach for the Partitioning of Carbon in Q&P Steel

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - This paper reports a Galerkin finite-element analysis of carbon partitioning from martensite into austenite during the quenching and partitioning...     

Application of Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Processing to Press Hardening Steel

Press hardening steel (PHS) has been increasingly used for the manufacture of structural automotive parts in recent years. One of the most critical characteristics of PHS is a low residual ductility related to a martensitic microstructure. The present work proposes the application of quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processing to improve the ductility of PHS. Q&P processing was applied to a Si- and Cr-added Q&P-compatible PHS, leading to a press hardened microstructure consisting of a tempered martensite matrix containing carbide-free bainite and retained austenite. The simultaneous addition of Si and Cr was used to increase the retained austenite fraction in the Q&P-compatible PHS. The Q&P processing of the PHS resulted in a high volume fraction of C-enriched retained austenite, and excellent mechanical properties. After a quench at 543 K (270 °C) and a partition treatment at 673 K (400 °C), the PHS microstructure contained a high volume fraction of retained austenite and a total elongation (TE) of 17 pct was achieved. The yield strength (YS) and the tensile strength were 1098 and 1320 MPa, respectively. The considerable improvement of the ductility of the Q&P-compatible PHS should lead to an improved in-service ductility beneficial to the passive safety of vehicle passengers.     

Influence of Ni and Process Parameters in Medium Mn Steels Heat Treated by High Partitioning Temperature Q&P Cycles

In this work, two medium Mn steels (5.8 and 5.7 wt pct Mn) were subjected to a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) treatment employing a partitioning temperature which corresponded to the start of austenite reverse transformation (ART). The influence of a 1.6 wt pct Ni addition in one of the steels and cycle parameters on austenite stability and mechanical properties was also studied. High contents of retained austenite were obtained in the lower quenching temperature (QT) condition, which at the same time resulted in a finer microstructure. The addition of Ni was effective in stabilizing higher contents of austenite. The partitioning of Mn and Ni from martensite into austenite was observed by TEM–EDS. The partitioning behaviour of Mn depended on the QT condition. The lower QT condition facilitated Mn enrichment of austenite laths during partitioning and stabilization of a higher content of austenite. The medium Mn steel containing Ni showed outstanding values of the product of tensile strength (TS) and total elongation (TEL) in the lower QT condition and a higher mechanical stability of the austenite.

     

Investigation into Competitive Mechanism of Carbon Partitioning and Pseudospinodal Decomposition of Supersaturated Martensite in Q&P Steel Containing High Silicon

In this study, the competing mechanisms of carbon partitioning and concurrent pseudospinodal decomposition of supersaturated martensite, forming superlattice-ordered α″-Fe₁₆C₂, are elucidated in a quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steel containing high silicon based on various microstructural characterizations. Our results demonstrate that the fluctuation of carbon content caused by high-density dislocations and transformation residual stress in martensite may stimulate the pseudospinodal decomposition. Furthermore, the sluggish diffusion kinetics of silicon and nickel inhibits further transformation from α″-Fe₁₆C₂ to carbide precipitation. The experimental results provide new insights into the pseudospinodal decomposition and carbon redistribution mechanism during the carbon partitioning process.

     

Characterization of the Factors Influencing Retained Austenite Stability in Q&P Steels via In Situ EBSD

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - The current work studies the correlations between microstructure and retained austenite (RA) transformation, in a single-quenched and partitioned...     

Development of Multiphase Microstructure with Bainite, Martensite, and Retained Austenite in a Co-Containing Steel Through Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Treatment

The quenching and partitioning (Q&P) treatment of steel aims to produce a higher fraction of retained austenite by carbon partitioning from supersaturated martensite. Q&P studies done so far, relies on the basic concept of suppression of carbide formation by the addition of Si and/or Al. In the present study Q&P treatment is performed on a steel containing 0.32 C, 1.78 Mn, 0.64 Si, 1.75 Al, and 1.20 Co (all wt pct). A combination of 0.64 Si and 1.75 Al is chosen to suppress the carbide precipitation and therefore, to achieve carbon partitioning after quenching. Addition of Co along with Al is expected to accelerate the bainite transformation during Q&P treatment by increasing the driving force for transformation. The final aim is to develop a multiphase microstructure containing bainite, martensite, and the retained austenite and to study the effect of processing parameters (especially, quenching temperature and homogenization time) on the fraction and stability of retained austenite. A higher fraction of retained austenite (~13 pct) has indeed been achieved by Q&P treatment, compared to that obtained after direct-quenching (2.7 pct) or isothermal bainitic transformation (9.7 pct). Carbon partitioning during martensitic and bainitic transformations increased the stability of retained austenite.     

Impact of Si on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 22MnB5 Hot Stamping Steel Treated by Quenching & Partitioning (Q&P)

Based on 22MnB5 hot stamping steel, three model alloys containing 0.5, 0.8, and 1.5 wt pct Si were produced, heat treated by quenching and partitioning (Q&P), and characterized. Aided by DICTRA calculations, the thermal Q&P cycles were designed to fit into industrial hot stamping by keeping partitioning times ≤ 30 seconds. As expected, Si increased the amount of retained austenite (RA) stabilized after final cooling. However, for the intermediate Si alloy the heat treatment exerted a particularly pronounced influence with an RA content three times as high for the one-step process compared to the two-step process. It appeared that 0.8 wt pct Si sufficed to suppress direct cementite formation from within martensite laths but did not sufficiently stabilize carbon-soaked RA at higher temperatures. Tensile and bending tests showed strongly diverging effects of austenite on ductility. Total elongation improved consistently with increasing RA content independently from its carbon content. In contrast, the bending angle was not impacted by high-carbon RA but deteriorated almost linearly with the amount of low-carbon RA.     

Mn-Si-Cr系Q&P钢的准静态、动态力学行为对比

利用万能试验机和分离式霍普金森压杆装置(SHPB)对Mn-Si-Cr系Q&P钢分别进行了准静态和动态压缩试验。在应变速率为0.001、0.01、0.1 s-1和900、1 500、2 200、3 000 s-1情况下分别得到了准静态和动态压缩真应力-真应变曲线,并利用扫描电子显微镜进行压缩后的显微组织和断口分析,利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)对压缩变形试样进行物相分析。结果表明,准静态和动态压缩变形条件下,试验钢的真应力-真应变曲线均可大致分为弹性变形和塑性变形2个阶段,且没有明显的屈服平台。准静态压缩条件下应变速率强化效果不明显但应变强化效应较显著。动态压缩条件下应变强化效应不明显,但展现出一定的应变速率强化效应。准静态变形后,试样中心区域板条组织倾向沿近水平方向(垂直于压缩方向)定向排布。动态变形后,约有1/3试样发生了断裂,未发生断裂的试样中心出现45°方向剪切带,其附近板条组织发生了“屈曲”。准静态变形后残余奥氏体含量下降明显,而动态压缩试样中,残余奥氏体含量只有略微下降,且块状M/A岛内部出现扭曲变形与开裂,这可能是导致部分试样断裂的诱因。动态压缩破坏试样断口整体呈现45°剪切断裂,一端发生微孔聚集性断裂,另外一端发生剪切断裂。     

Mn-Si-Cr系Q&P钢的准静态、动态力学行为对比

利用万能试验机和分离式霍普金森压杆装置(SHPB)对Mn-Si-Cr系Q&P钢分别进行了准静态和动态压缩试验。在应变速率为0.001、0.01、0.1 s-1和900、1 500、2 200、3 000 s-1情况下分别得到了准静态和动态压缩真应力-真应变曲线,并利用扫描电子显微镜进行压缩后的显微组织和断口分析,利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)对压缩变形试样进行物相分析。结果表明,准静态和动态压缩变形条件下,试验钢的真应力-真应变曲线均可大致分为弹性变形和塑性变形2个阶段,且没有明显的屈服平台。准静态压缩条件下应变速率强化效果不明显但应变强化效应较显著。动态压缩条件下应变强化效应不明显,但展现出一定的应变速率强化效应。准静态变形后,试样中心区域板条组织倾向沿近水平方向(垂直于压缩方向)定向排布。动态变形后,约有1/3试样发生了断裂,未发生断裂的试样中心出现45°方向剪切带,其附近板条组织发生了“屈曲”。准静态变形后残余奥氏体含量下降明显,而动态压缩试样中,残余奥氏体含量只有略微下降,且块状M/A岛内部出现扭曲变形与开裂,这可能是导致部分试样断裂的诱因。动态压缩破坏试样断口整体呈现45°剪切断裂,一端发生微孔聚集性断裂,另外一端发生剪切断裂。     

Quench and Partitioning Steel: A New AHSS Concept for Automotive Anti‐Intrusion Applications

A new type of high strength, high toughness, martensitic steel, based on a newly proposed Quench and Partitioning (Q&P) process, is presented. This high strength martensitic grade is produced by the controlled low temperature partitioning of carbon from as‐quenched martensite laths to retained inter‐lath austenite under conditions where both low temperature transition carbide formation and cementite precipitation are suppressed. The contribution focuses on both the current understanding of the fundamental processes involved and includes a discussion of the technical feasibility of large‐scale industrial production of these steels as sheet products. The Q&P process, which is carried out on steels with a lean composition, should be implemented easily on some current industrial continuous annealing and galvanizing lines. In addition, martensitic Q&P sheet steel is characterized by very favourable combinations of strength, ductility and toughness, which are particularly relevant for high strength anti‐intrusion automotive parts.     

Resolving the Martensitic Transformation in Q&P Steels In-Situ at Dynamic Strain Rates Using Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

The dynamic deformation response of two quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels was investigated using a high strain rate tension pressure bar and in-situ synchrotron radiography and diffraction. This allowed for concurrent measurements of the martensitic transformation, the elastic strains/stresses on the martensite and ferrite, and the bulk mechanical behavior. The steel with the greater fraction of ferrite exhibited greater ductility and lower strength, suggesting that dislocation slip in ferrite enhanced the deformability. Meanwhile, the kinetics of the martensitic transformation appeared similar for both steels, although the steel with a greater ferrite fraction retained more austenite in the neck after fracture.

     

Properties and Metallurgical Aspects of Heavy Wall Q&T Line Pipe Steels

The production of Q&T line pipe steels for heavy wall pipe requires several properties to be fully matched.Among them is the yield strength for strain based criteria pipelines for subsea application.Yield strength must match the required minimum under elevated temperature conditions [60 & 160 ℃] and at the same time do not exceed the surface hardness that will make the welding inadequate.Maximum of 220 vickers hardness has been set for some of the subsea projects.Production in a busy Q&T line requires simple tools to predict the time and temperatures to achieve the desired properties.The classical strength and logarithm of time,after Bhadeshia [1],has been used with excellent results in these line pipe steels of different wall thickness.     

Third Generation 0.3C-4.0Mn Advanced High Strength Steels Through a Dual Stabilization Heat Treatment: Austenite Stabilization Through Paraequilibrium Carbon Partitioning

In excess of 30 vol. pct austenite can be retained in 0.3C-4.0Mn steels subjected to a dual stabilization heat treatment (DSHT) schedule—a five stage precisely controlled cooling schedule that is a variant of the quench and partition process. The temperature of the second quench (stage III) in the DSHT process plays an essential role in the retained austenite contents produced at carbon-partitioning temperatures of 723 K or 748 K (450° C or 475 °C) (stage IV). A thermodynamic model successfully predicted the retained austenite contents in heat-treated steels, particularly for a completely austenitized material. The microstructure and mechanical behavior of two heat-treated steels with similar levels of retained austenite (~30 vol. pct) were studied. Optimum properties—tensile strengths up to 1650 MPa and ~20 pct total elongation—were observed in a steel containing 0.3C-4.0Mn-2.1Si, 1.5 Al, and 0.5 Cr.     

Combined Intercritical Annealing and Q&P Processing of Medium Mn Steel

The microstructure and mechanical properties of intercritically annealed medium Mn steel are dependent on the selection of the intercritical annealing (IA) temperature. While the yield strength (YS) decreases with increasing IA temperature, the ultimate tensile strength increases with increasing IA temperature. Strain aging phenomena, both static and dynamic, are also often observed. The present contribution shows that, by combining IA with the quench and partitioning processing of the intercritical austenite, it is possible to obtain non-aging mechanical properties which combine a high YS with an ultra-high tensile strength. These properties are particularly suitable for automotive parts related to passenger safety.