Effect of Isothermal Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High AI-Low Si TRIP Steel

In this study, the effect of isothermal temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of a high Al-low Si TRIP steel was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron back scattered diffraction, and tensile test. The results show that typical microstructure containing ferrite, bainite, and retained austenite can be obtained when two-stage heat treatment process was utilized. When annealing temperature is 840 ℃ and austempering temperature is 400 ℃, the tensile strength is 542 MPa and the product of strength and elongation is 17,685 MPa%. The morphologies and stability of the retained austenite in low silicon/high aluminum TRIP steel were finally discussed.