ADVANCED HIGH STRENGTH STEEL THROUGH PARAEQUILIBRIUM CARBON PARTITIONING AND AUSTENITE STABILIZATION

More than 30 vol. pct. retained austenite was obtained in quenched and partitioned (QP) 0.3C-4.0Mn steels subjected to dual stabilization heat treatments (DSHT). The temperature of the second quench in the DSHT process successfully played an essential role in the retained austenite contents at carbon partitioning temperatures above 450¿¿C. A thermodynamic model predicted the retained austenite contents in steels with different chemical compositions and heat treatment schedules. The microstructure and mechanical behavior of two heat-treated steels with the same level of retained austenite was studied. Optimum properties – tensile strength of 1600 MPa and 20% total elongation – were observed in a partially austenitized steel, indicating the benefits of intercritical annealing at the beginning of DSHT.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science and Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Qu, Hao

Contributors dc:contributor

• Heuer, Arthur

• Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1346250505

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1346250505