Evolution of Microstructure in a Low-Si Micro-alloyed Steel Processed Through One-Step Quenching and Partitioning

An attempt has been made in the current study to investigate the possibility of austenite retention in 0.5 wt pct Si steel without Al, processed through the one-step Q&P technique. The XRD and microstructural analysis confirmed austenite retention (maximum of 5.73 ± 0.16 vol pct), which showed thin film and blocky morphologies. The experimental amount of retained austenite was found to increase with the increasing quench temperature; however, it was almost independent of partitioning time. The carbon content in the retained austenite did not show any significant variation, after Q&P treatment for different time–temperature combinations. The hardness was found to be sensitive to quench temperature than the partitioning time.