Structural evolution and mechanical properties changes in dual-phase steel during continuous annealing process

The paper presents the results of the investigation aimed at detailed characterisation of the changes occurring in the microstructure of cold rolled DP steel in the continuous annealing/galvanizing process. These changes include static recrystallization of ferrite and transformation of initial ferritic – pearlitic microstructure into ferrite and austenite during heating stage and reverse transformation of austenite into ferrite and next into martensite + bainte during cooling stage of the continuous annealing/galvanizing process. It was found that the static recrystallization of ferrite during heating starts at around 600oC whilst the transformation of ferrite + pearlite to austenite + ferrite starts at around 750oC. The kinetics of phase transformation during cooling depends on the peak temperature of the thermal profile. If this temperature is within two – phase range, no nucleation process is involved in ferrite nucleation and the transformation of austenite into ferrite begins almost instantaneously after start of cooling. On the contrary, nucleation process occurs when the cooling is applied from the temperature of austenite stability. This results in the undercooling of austenite with respect to the Ae3 temperature which depends on the cooling rate. Further transformation of remaining austenite into low temperature transformation products (bainite and martensite) is dependent on the hardenability of particular DP steel and cooling rates applied. However, in real industrial process, cooling conditions should be carefully controlled due to the limitations of galvanizing operation. This imposes limits on the cooling rates, and generally leads to the decomposition of austenite into martensite and bainite mixture instead of martensite alone. The physical simulation of continuous annealing using Gleeble 3800 simulator showed a strong dependence of the microstructure and mechanical properties of DP steel strips on peak temperature and soaking time as well as on tempering temperature and time.