Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of Medium Carbon Steel by Formation
of Ultra- fine Bainitic Microstructures
Abstract
In this work, ultra-refined bainitic structures are obtained in medium
carbon steel through control of alloy design (Si and Al content) and low
temperature isothermal bainitic transformation heat treatment. The
chemical design of the steel was modified by using varying Al ratios and
the steel was heat treated by isothermal transformation. The tensile
strength and ductility were found to improve significantly, and this was
owed to modification of the cementite morphology from plate-like to
spheroidal morphology. In addition, grain refinement was achieved by
fine bainitic structures generated through the heat treatment process.
This new technology will have promising results to the steel industry in
terms of saving time and energy, enhancing the mechanical properties and
reducing the total production cost.