Influence of intercritical quenching on the structure and mechanical properties of a dual-phase steel with low manganese content

In this article are presented the results of studies conducted in order to determine the influence of technological parameters of heat treatment on the structure and mechanical properties of a dual-phase steel with 0.101% C and 0.529% Mn. The structure, specific for a dual-phase steel, was obtained by intercritical quenching, when heating for 30 minutes at 760, 780, 800 and 820 degrees C, and cooling in water without mechanical agitation and in water activated with ultrasound at the frequency of 59 kHz. The metallographic analyses revealed the volume fraction of martensite and the ferrite microhardness from the structures, while the tensile testing determined the ultimate tensile strength and the total elongation. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.