Effect of Coiling Temperature on Microstructure and Tensile Behavior of a Hot-Rolled Ferritic Lightweight Steel

Effects of coiling temperature (CT) ranging from 673 K to 973 K (400 °C to 700 °C) on microstructure and tensile property of a hot-rolled ferritic lightweight steel containing 0.35 wt pct C and 4.1 wt pct Al are investigated in the present study. Basically, the microstructure of the hot-rolled steel is composed of δ-ferrite grain bands and secondary phase bands which are originated from the decomposition of antecedent austenite. The secondary phase band is a bainite band at coiling temperatures (CTs) lower than 723 K (450 °C). More specifically, the bainite band mainly consists of lower bainite together with blocky retained austenite at the CT of 673 K (400 °C), while it primarily contains carbide-free bainite being an aggregate of lath-shaped ferrite and austenite at the CT of 723 K (450 °C). The secondary phase band is a carbide band which mainly contains a pearlite structure at CTs higher than 773 K (500 °C). There are three types of carbides in the steel matrix: transitional ɛ-carbide present inside lower bainite, cementite present within carbide bands as well as at the boundaries between carbide bands and δ-ferrite bands, and κ-carbide present at δ-ferrite grain boundaries which is clearly seen at CTs higher than 773 K (500 °C). The volume fraction of retained austenite reaches the peak value of 9.6 pct at the CT of 723 K (450 °C), and abruptly drops to zero when the CTs are higher than 773 K (500 °C). Lath-shaped retained austenite with a higher volume fraction induces significant enhancement of elongation through the TRIP effect, leading to a uniform elongation of 25 pct and an elongation-to-failure of 32 pct at the CT of 723 K (450 °C). Crack initiation and propagation inside the tested specimens are tracked and fracture surface is observed to help understand the deformation and fracture behavior of the hot-rolled steel.