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Prediction of Carbon Partitioning and Austenite Stability via Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics in Quench and Partition (Q&P) Steel

  • Advanced High-Strength Steels for Automobiles
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Abstract

Thermodynamics-based predictive modeling for phase characteristics after the quench and partition (Q&P) process is key to the design of new alloys and processing cycles with the best combination of mechanical properties. The austenite carbon content influences its phase stability during mechanical deformation and thus determines the improvement to total elongation from transformation-induced plasticity. The current article describes a carbon partition model based on para-equilibrium simulations with the addition of a temperature-dependent effective stored energy model that predicts carbon enrichment in austenite after Q&P processing. A retained austenite stability model is also proposed that uses the predicted carbon in austenite to quantify the austenite stability in terms of the Msσ temperature. The developed models were calibrated and subsequently validated using measurements from advanced characterization techniques such as local electrode atom probe tomography, synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction and uniaxial tensile tests at varying test temperatures.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge ArcelorMittal Global R&D, East Chicago, Indiana, for financial support and raw materials for the study and help from Dr. Damon Panahi in performing the dilatometer studies. HEXRD experiments were performed by the DuPont-Northwestern-Dow Collaborative Access Team (DND-CAT) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). This work made use of the EPIC facility of Northwestern University’s NUANCE Center, which has received support from SHyNE Resource (NSF ECCS-1542205), the MRSEC program (NSF DMR-1720139) at the Materials Research Center, the IIN, the Keck Foundation and the State of Illinois, through the IIN. This work made use of the Central Laboratory for Materials Mechanical Properties supported by the MRSEC program of the National Science Foundation (DMR-1121262) at Northwestern University.

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  1. Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA

    Amit K. Behera & G. B. Olson

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  1. Amit K. Behera
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Behera, A.K., Olson, G.B. Prediction of Carbon Partitioning and Austenite Stability via Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics in Quench and Partition (Q&P) Steel. JOM 71, 1375–1385 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-019-03369-z

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