A review of the thermal stability of metastable austenite in steels:Martensite formation

Metastable austenite plays a critical role in achieving improved combinations of high strength and high ductility/toughness in the design of advanced high-strength steels(AHSS). The thermal stability of metastable austenite determines the transformation characteristics of AHSS and thus primarily determines the microstructure evolution during complex processes, e.g., the quenching and partitioning process, to achieve the desirable microstructure. This study provides a review of the thermal stability of austenite and its influence on martensitic transformation from both experimental and theoretical modeling perspectives. From the experimental perspective, factors affecting the thermal stability are analyzed,the relative sensitivities are compared, and their corresponding mechanisms are discussed. From the theoretical modeling perspective, the most representative kinetic models that describe athermal and isothermal martensitic transformation are reviewed. The advantages, shortcomings, and applicability of each model are discussed. The systematic review of both experimental and theoretical aspects reveals critical factors in tailoring the stability of metastable austenite and, therefore, provides guidance for the design of advanced steels.

Influence of V(C,N) Precipitates on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Continuous Cooled C-Mn-V

The effect of chemical composition and processing parameters on the formation of acicular ferrite and/or bainite has been investigated.In particular,this paper deals with the influence that N through its combination with V,as V(C,N) precipitates,has on the decomposition of austenite.Likewise,the intragranular nucleation potency of V(C,N) precipitates is analyzed through the continuous cooling transformation diagrams (CCT) of two C-Mn-V steels with different contents of N.Results reported in this work allow us to conclude that acicular ferrite can only be achieved alloying with vanadium and nitrogen,meanwhile bainite is promoted in steels with a low level of nitrogen.It is concluded that higher strength values are obtained in acicular ferrite than in bainitic steel but a similar brittle-ductile transition temperature (BDT),and lower values of impact absorbed energy (KV) has been recorded in nitrogen-rich steel.

Warm Forged Medium Carbon V Steel

Nowadays there is a continuous demand,particularly from the automotive industry,for cheaper,lighter and more reliable components.It is not surprising then that steel research has been focused during the last decades in new qualities and processes.This paper is dealing with the use of vanadium microalloyed steels on one of those new processes,warm forging.For its low precipitation temperature and its recognised ability to strengthen steel microstructures via austenite grain growth control,precipitation hardening and interference of the static recrystallization process,vanadium in microalloyed steels seem to be an appropriate candidate for warm forging.