Mechanical properties and ferrite formation in microalloyed steel

Abstract

Mechanical properties of microalloyed steels have been studied for proper selection of composition, interplay of alloying elements, and suitability of processing for proper variety of ferrite formation. Strength and toughness consideration has been the aim to induce in steels by understanding nature of formation of structural morphology. These might be (i) modification of solidification process, (ii) thermomechanical processing to induce dynamic recrystallization, (iii) strain induced transformation, (iv) addition of microalloying elements based on type of requirement of properties, and (v) selection of proper ferrites. Cast steels have appeared to increase strength and lower ductility by most of micro-alloying elements. Ferrite has been considered to be an effective phase for proper combination of strength-toughness requirement, where precipitation of carbides and carbo-nitrides have played dual role for ferrite nucleation as well as strengthening.