Effect of prior heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of 0·23% carbon dual phase steel

AbstractThe present study is aimed at understanding the effect of prior heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 0·23% carbon dual phase steel. The as received steel was subjected to annealing, normalising and hardening treatment before actual dual phase heat treatment. These steels along with the as received steel were intercritically annealed at 745°C followed by water quenching in order to produce a dual phase microstructure consisting of varying quantities and morphologies of ferrite and martensite. Mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing and hardness measurement. It was found that prior heat treatment affects the final dual phase microstructure in terms of size and relative amount of ferrite and martensite. It was also found that dual phase treatment resulted in improved mechanical property. Optimum combination of strength and ductility was obtained with the steel subjected to prior hardening (DPLA-3) treatment. The maximum in ultimate tensile strength (762 MP...