Effect of high-pressure low-temperature tempering on microstructure and properties of a niobium microalloyed high-carbon steel

doi:10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2025.03.005

Abstract

Abstract: 0.86%C-0.045%Nb high-carbon steel specimens were quenched and then tempered at 200 ℃ under different pressures using a CS-IB type hexagonal top press. The effects of high pressure on the microstructure and properties of the niobium-containing high-carbon steel after quenching and tempering were compared with those of specimens tempered at atmospheric pressure. The results show that after quenching at 1100 ℃ and tempering at 200 ℃ under pressures of 1, 3 and 5 GPa, the microstructure of the tested steel consists of tempered martensite with a small amount of retained austenite. Compared to the atmospheric pressure tempering condition, the NbC particles are observed in the tempered martensite matrix. The solution Nb content in the tempered specimens under different pressures determined by ICP-OES reveals that the solution Nb content in the steel matrix decreases with the increase of pressure. This shows that high pressure effectively promotes the low-temperature precipitation of NbC. As the pressure increases, the tensile strength and percentage total extension at fracture of the tested steel initially increase and then decrease. The best mechanical properties of the tested steel are obtained after tempering at 200 ℃ under 1 GPa high pressure, with a tensile strength of 1556 MPa and percentage total extension at fracture of 6.45%. Compared with the atmospheric pressure tempering condition, the tensile strength and percentage total extension at fracture are increased by 280 MPa and 1.12%, respectively.

Key words: high-carbon steel, Nb microalloying, high pressure heat treatment, mechanical properties

CLC Number:

TG142

Zhao Weinan, Lu Chao, Cao Jianchun, Xu Chaoyong, Yang Lisheng, Zhang Jinchang. Effect of high-pressure low-temperature tempering on microstructure and properties of a niobium microalloyed high-carbon steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(3): 32-37.

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