Work Hardening Behavior and Stability of Retained Austenite for Quenched and Partitioned Steels

Abstract Both microstructure and mechanical properties of low alloy steels treated by quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process were examined. The mixed microstructure of martensite and large-fractioned retained austenite (about 27.3 %) was characterized and analyzed, excellent combinations of total elongation of 19 % and tensile strength of 1835 MPa were obtained, and three-stage work hardening behavior was demonstrated during tensile test. The enhanced mechanical properties and work hardening behavior were explained based on the transformation-induced plasticity effect of large-fractioned austenite.