Effect of nano-sized TiC particle addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of SA-106B carbon steel

Abstract The dispersion behavior of nano-sized TiC particles treated by different processes and its influence on microstructural and mechanical modification has been investigated in SA-106B carbon steel with different TiC contents. It was found that mechanically-activated TiC nanoparticles introduced into a carbon steel matrix were dissolved during hot rolling and re-precipitated vigorously during subsequent normalizing treatment at 920 °C. The dispersed TiC particles were very fine ( 30%) and impact energy (>250 J) at the TiC content of 0.1 wt%. Theoretical calculations showed that grain refinement plays a dominant role in enhancing the yield strength of TiC-bearing carbon steel, together with nanoparticle strengthening interacting on the solid solution strengthening and dislocation strengthening.