Morphology and properties of low-carbon bainite

Morphology of low-carbon bainite in commercial-grade high-tensile-strength steels in both isothermal transformation and continuous cooling transformation is lathlike ferrite elongated in the 〈11l〉b direction. Based on carbide distribution, three types of bainites are classified: Type I, is carbide-free, Type II has fine carbide platelets lying between laths, and Type III has carbides parallel to a specific ferrite plane. At the initial stage of transformation, upper bainitic ferrite forms a subunit elongated in the [−101]f which is nearly parallel to the [lll]b direction with the cross section a parallelogram shape. Coalescence of the subunit yields the lathlike bainite with the [−101]f growth direction and the habit plane between (232)f and (lll)f. Cementite particles precipitate on the sidewise growth tips of the Type II bainitic ferrite subunit. This results in the cementite platelet aligning parallel to a specific ferrite plane in the laths after coalescence. These morphologies of bainites are the same in various kinds of low-carbon high-strength steels. The lowest brittle-ductile transition temperature and the highest strength were obtained either by Type III bainite or bainite/martensite duplex structure because of the crack path limited by fine unit microstructure. It should also be noted that the tempered duplex structure has higher strength than the tempered martensite in the tempering temperature range between 200 °C and 500 °C. In the case of controlled rolling, the accelerated cooling afterward produces a complex structure comprised of ferrite, cementite, and martensite as well as BI-type bainite. Type I bainite in this structure is refined by controlled rolling and plays a very important role in improving the strength and toughness of low-carbon steels.