Transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) effect used in forming of carbon CMnSi steel

Abstract

Transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel combines high strength and high ductility that makes it particularly suitable for forming. Martensite within a ferrite matrix is usually obtained either by continuous casting of slabs followed by hot rolling (which is the fastest method, hence the most economical one, producing, however, relatively thick products) or by the continuous casting of slabs followed by hot rolling, cold rolling and annealing (the method used for thin products). High cooling rates, low coiling temperatures and low reduction during hot deformation were generally found to suppress the formation of polygonal ferrite and promote the presence of retained austenite. This paper focuses on development and modifications of two CMnSi-based TRIP steels with 0,23 % C;1,4 % Mn; 1,9 % Si; ( 0,08 % Nb) by means of laboratory thermomechanical processing. Description of experimental devices for the analysis of transformation plasticity under tensioncompression loading is given. Experiments were carried out on the simulator for thermal-deformation cycles SMITWELD and TANDEM was used for thermomechanical. processing on the laboratory rolling mill. The maximum volume fraction of retained austenite and the resulting optimum combination of tensile strength and ductility were achieved in testing heats. Special attention was paid to volume fraction changes of single phases and to changes in morphology of phases. The results suggest that rather short isothermal bainite transformation times are sufficient to obtain TRIP microstructure. The influence of parameters of thermomechanical processing such as the amount of strain, forming temperature and austenitization time and temperature on microstructures of TRIP steels were evaluated.