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Microstructural, Mechanical, and Electrochemical Properties of Quenched and Partitioned 3 wt% Mn Steel

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Abstract

Herein, an attempt has been made to investigate effect of C and Mn partitioning during quenching and partitioning heat-treatment process on microstructure, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of experimental 3 wt% Mn steel. The quenching and partitioning heat-treatment process was applied to the experimental steel with varying partitioning time periods ranging from 15 to 120 s at a constant partitioning temperature of 425 °C. The partitioning time period of 15 s resulted in a high volume fraction of supersaturated lath martensite with a small volume fraction of retained austenite. With increasing partitioning time period to 45–60 s, diffusion of C and Mn from martensite to retained austenite occurred resulting in the formation of decreased volume fraction of martensite phase with a reduced carbon and increased volume fraction of retained austenite phase with increased carbon. Partitioning for 90 s produced a moderate volume fraction of both lath martensite and retained austenite phases with nucleation of secondary phase, epsilon carbides. This phase transformation provided an optimum combination of 21% improved Vickers hardness and threefold improved impact toughness compared to as-received steel. Electrochemical properties of quenched and partitioned 3 wt% Mn steel were also evaluated in a 3 wt% NaCl solution. The highest corrosion resistance was achieved after prolonged partitioning of 120 s, whereas slightly low corrosion resistance was achieved after partitioning of 90 s.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan

    A. Inam, M. Atif, M. Ishtiaq, M. H. Hassan, M. A. Raza, M. A. Q. Abbas & I. Ullah

  2. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

    M. A. Hafeez

  3. Department of Technology Education, IER, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan

    T. Hussain & M. S. Mughal

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  1. A. Inam
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Inam, A., Hafeez, M.A., Atif, M. et al. Microstructural, Mechanical, and Electrochemical Properties of Quenched and Partitioned 3 wt% Mn Steel. Arab J Sci Eng 46, 417–423 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04867-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04867-y

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