Refined Bainite Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a High‐Strength Low‐Carbon Bainitic Steel Treated by Austempering Below and Above MS

Four isothermal heat treatment schedules are designed to study the effects of transformation temperature below and above martensite starting temperature (MS) on bainitic transformation kinetics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of a low‐carbon bainitic steel. The results indicate that the product of tensile strength and elongation (PSE) of tested steel do not show any improvement when the samples are austempered at a temperature below MS. Finer bainite microstructure can be observed when the samples are austempered at a temperature below MS, but the highest PSE is obtained in the sample austempered at a temperature above MS (400 °C). Lower PSE of the samples transformed below MS is mainly attributed to less bainite and retained austenite (RA) amount and more amount of athermal martensite, as well as the existence of carbide. In addition, with the decrease of the isothermal transformation temperature, the PSE first increases and then decreases. Different from austempering above MS, when the sample is austempered below MS, PSE decreases with the decrease of transformation temperature. Moreover, whether the treatment below MS can improve mechanical property of bainitic steels depends on the composition of steels and transformation temperature. The effects of transformation temperature below and above MS on bainitic transformation kinetics, microstructure, and mechanical properties of a low‐carbon bainitic steel are investigated. Although finer bainite microstructure can be observed when the samples are austempered at a temperature below MS, the highest PSE is obtained in the sample austempered at a temperature above MS (Fig. ).