Effects of Heat Treatment Condition on the Mechanical Properties in Fe-0.4%C-2.3%Si Steel

The effect of heat treatment on mechanical properties of 0.4C-2.3Si(wt%) steel with bainitic ferrite matrix were investigated. This steel has been synthesized intergrating concepts from TRIP(Transformation Induced Plasticity) steel & Austempered Ductile Cast Iron(ADI) technology. The low alloy medium carbon (0.4 %C) steel with high silicon (2.3 %Si) was initially annealed for 60 min at 800∘C , 820∘C and 840∘C respectively in the intercritical region and then subsequently austempered at various temperatures at 260∘C , 320∘C and 380∘C for 30 min in a salt bath. The mechanical properties were measured by using a tensile test. A detailed study of the microstructure of this steel after heat treatment was carried out by means of electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) technic. In this study, a new low alloy steel with high strength (780~1,050MPa) and exceptionally high ductility (20~40%) was obtained.