Unexpected Effect of Nb Addition as a Microalloying Element on Mechanical Properties of 5-TRIP Steels

The concept of microalloying was applied to the δ-TRIP （transformation-induced plasticity） steel to inves- tigate the feasibility of increasing the mechanical properties and understanding the effect of microalloying on the morphology and structure of the steel. A hot rolled δ-TRIP steel with three different contents of Nb （0, 0.03, 0.07 mass%） was subjected to the microstructural and mechanical examination. The high Al and Si concentration in these steels guaranteed the presence of the considerable δ-ferrite phase in the microstructure after the casting and the subsequent hot rolling. The obtained results showed that Nb dramatically affects the microstructure the dynamic re- covery and recrystallization behavior, as well as the grain shape and thus the stability of austenite after the thermo- mechanical process of hot rolling. The results also revealed an unexpected effect of Nb on the mechanical properties. The addition of Nb to the δ-TRIP steel led to a significant decrease in the ultimate strength （from 1144 to 917 MPa） and an increase in ductility （from 24% to 28%）. These unconventional results could be explained by the change in the steel microstructure. The work-hardening＇behaviors of all samples exhibit three stages of the work-hardening rate evolution. At the stage 2, the work-hardening rate of the studied steels increased, being attributed to the TRIP effect and the transformation of austenite to martensite.