Achieving high tensile properties and impact toughness in ultrahigh strength lean alloy steel by quenching and partitioning treatment

In this study, a desirable combination of strength, ductility, and toughness in low-carbon 30CrMnSiA steel is achieved by a hierarchical multiphase microstructural architecture subjected to one- and two-step quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processes. The microstructural constituents are studied by EBSD, x-ray diffraction, dilatometry, and TEM. Experimental results show that microstructural refinement occurs in the martensite and bainite at a lower quenching temperature, where more Bain groups form in one close-packed plane group. This causes random distribution between martensite and bainite blocks, enlarging the volume of high-angle grain boundaries. Such refined microstructure, particularly for the increased martensite with higher-density dislocations, causes an increased strength at a decreased quenching temperature. By comparison, increased quenching and partitioning temperature produces more stable film-like retained austenite (RA) and a low dislocation density in martensite/bainite (M/B); thus, it provides better deformation by accommodating with M/B laths and absorbing substantial energy due to the transformation-induced plasticity effect. The lower dislocation density, the higher volume fraction of RA, and the higher HAGBs improve the impact toughness and tensile properties of lean alloy steel through a moderate Q&P process.