Metallographic, Structural and Mechanical Characterization of a Low Density Fe-Mn-Al-C Steel Microalloyed with Ti/B in As-Cast and Homogenized Conditions

Abstract

Low density (LD) steels have shown particular characteristics in terms of mechanical properties and microstructure, since they have high strength, high ductility and density reduction up to 18%. On the other hand, the addition of microalloying elements such as Ti and B generate hardening by solid solution and precipitation, as well as grain refinement effect. LD steels generate nano-sized kappa phase precipitated from the austenite matrix, and these advanced steels can reach strength and elongation up to 780 MPa and 60%, respectively. The main objective of this research work is the metallographic, structural and mechanical characterization of a LD steel microalloyed with Ti/B in as-cast and -homogenized conditions. For this purpose a Fe-27Mn-7Al-1.2C (%wt) LD steel microalloyed with Ti/B was melted in a vacuum-induction furnace and cast in metallic mold. LD-Ti/B steel samples were homogenized at 1100 °C during 20, 50, 100, 150 and 200 minutes followed by water quenching. Metallographic, structural and mechanical characterization was carried out by optical (LOM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and microhardness Vickers testing (HV10), respectively. In general, results showed a typical dendritic microstructure with average grain size of 1256 μm in the as-cast condition. On the other hand, the as-homogenized condition showed an austenitic equiaxial microstructure with average grain size from 164 to 940 μm. Austenite, ferrite and kappa phases were detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also, second-phase particles such as AlN, TiC and MnS were detected by LOM and SEM-EDS analysis. LD steel microalloyed with Ti/B exhibited the highest microhardness Vickers value (235 HV10) in the as-cast condition, whilst in the as-homogenized condition microhardness gradually decreases from 223 to 198 HV10 as holding time increases.