Effect of Intercritical Annealing Parameters and Starting Microstructure on the Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of a Medium-Mn Third Generation Advanced High Strength Steel

A prototype medium-Mn TRIP steel (0.2 C-6 Mn-1.7 Si-0.4 Al-0.5 Cr (wt %)) with a cold-rolled tempered martensite (CR) and martensitic (M) starting microstructures was subjected to continuous galvanizing line (CGL) compatible heat treatments. It was found that the M starting microstructures achieved greater than 0.30 volume fraction of retained austenite and target 3G properties (UTS x TE >= 24,000 MPa%) using an intercritical annealing temperature (IAT) of 675 degrees C with an IA holding time of 60-360 s, whereas the CR microstructure required an IAT of 710 degrees C and annealing times of 360 s or greater to achieve comparable fractions of retained austenite and target 3G properties. This was attributed to the rapid austenite reversion kinetics for the M starting microstructures and rapid C partitioning from the C supersaturated martensite, providing chemical and mechanical stability to the retained austenite, thereby allowing for a gradual deformation-induced transformation of retained austenite to martensite-the TRIP effect-and the formation of nano-scale planar faults in the retained austenite (TWIP effect), such that a high work-hardening rate was maintained to elongation of greater than 0.20. Overall, it was concluded that the prototype steel with the M starting microstructure is a promising candidate for CGL processing for 3G AHSS properties.