Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Thermomechanically Processed Ultrahigh-Strength Steel

In the present study, low carbon microalloyed ultrahigh-strength steel was manufactured on a pilot scale. Transformation of the aforesaid steel during continuous cooling was assessed. The steel sample was thermomechanically processed followed by air cooling and water quenching. Variation in microstructure and mechanical properties at different finish rolling temperatures (FRTs) was studied. A mixture of granular bainite and bainitic ferrite along with interlath and intralath precipitation of (Ti, Nb)CN particles is the characteristic microstructural feature of air-cooled steel. On the other hand, lath martensitic structure along with a similar type of microalloying precipitates of air-cooled steels is obtained in the case of water-quenched steel also. The best combination of strength (1440 to 1538 MPa) and ductility (11 to 16 pct) was achieved for the selected range of FRTs of water-quenched steel.