Comparison of the effect of quenching-tempering (Q-T) and quenching-partitioning-tempering (Q-P-T) heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a high strength steel containing Ti micro-alloy

Steels with quenching-partitioning (Q-P) heat treatments are the third generation of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) which have been developed due to their interesting combination of mechanical properties including high strength with good flexibility. Partitioning is based on carbon diffusion from martensite (M) to residual austenite (γ_R). In the present investigation, an alloy with a weight composition of % Al 0.054- % Si 1.5 -% Mn 2.2 -% C - 0.21 - Fe containing 0.08% Ti as a micro-alloy was prepared using a vacuum induction melting (VIM) furnace. Purification was performed using an eletro-slag refining (ESR) furnace to reduce sulfur and oxygen and then the molten alloy was cast as an ingot. The ingot was then homogenized at 1200 ° C for 3 hours. The homogenized ingot was then rolled to 1.5 mm thickness sheet by hot and cold rolling processes. After quenching-tempering (Q-T) and quenching-partitioning-tempering (Q-P-T) treatments, the properties of the samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), micro-hardness, tensile and Erichsen tests. The Q-P-T samples showed more favorable combination of strength and flexibility in comparison to Q-T samples. The strength and fracture strain of Q-P-T and Q-T samples were 1050 MPa, 24%, and 1185 MPa, 18%, respectively. The Q-P-T samples with remarkably higher strength, showed significantly higher flexibility.