2The effects of the addition of Cr, Mo, and/or Ni on the Charpy impact toughness of a 0.2 pct C-1.5 pct Si-1.5 pct Mn-0.05 pct Nb transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-aided steel with a lath-martensite structure matrix (i.e., a TRIP-aided martensitic steel or TM steel) were investigated with the aim of using the steel in automotive applications. In addition, the relationship between the toughness of the various alloyed steels and their metallurgical characteristics were determined.When Cr, Cr-Mo, or Cr-Mo-Ni was added to the base steel, the TM steel exhibited a high upper-shelf Charpy impact absorbed value that ranged from 100 J/cm 2 to 120 J/cm 2 and a low fracture appearance transition temperature that ranged from 123 K to 143 K (−150 C to −130 °C), while also exhibiting a tensile strength of about 1.5 GPa. This impact toughness of the alloyed steels was far superior to that of conventional martensitic steel and was caused by the presence of (i) a softened wide lath-martensite matrix, which contained only a small amount of carbide and hence had a lower carbon concentration, (ii) a large amount of finely dispersed martensite-retained austenite complex phase, and (iii) a metastable retained austenite phase of 2-4 vol pct in the complex phase, which led to plastic relaxation via a strain-induced transformation and played an important role in the suppression of the initiation and propagation of voids and/or cleavage cracks.

The effects of microalloying on the fracture toughness of 0.2%C1.5%Si1.5%Mn 0.05%Nb (mass%) transformation-induced plasticity-aided steel with a lath-martensite structure matrix were investigated. When 0.002% B or 1.0% Cr was added to the base steel, the steel achieved a fracture toughness that was as high as that of 18%Ni maraging steel. Based on our results, the high fracture toughness was essentially caused by (i) a matrix with a softened lath-martensite structure, low carbide content and low carbon concentration; (ii) the effective plastic relaxation of localized stress concentration by the strain-induced transformation of metastable retained austenite of about 3 vol% in the martensite-austenite constituent or phase.

Cr, Mo and/or Ni were added to TRIP-aided bainitic ferrite (TBF) steel (0.2% C, 1.5% Si, 1.5% Mn and 0.05% Nb ultrahigh-strength TBF steel) in order to increase its hardenability. In addition, the effects of the alloying elements on the Vickers hardness, microstructure and retained austenite characteristics of the TBF steels were investigated. When the TBF steels were austempered at temperatures between MS and Mf, the Vickers hardness increased from HV300 to HV430 with increasing hardenability. The microstructure consisted of martensite and bainitic ferrite lath structures and retained austenite phases and the volume fraction of retained austenite increased with increasing hardenability. Conversely, the carbon concentration of the retained austenite decreased with increasing hardenability. Simultaneously, the quantity of the hard blocky martensite phase (M-A constituent) with refined interlath retained austenite films increased with increasing hardenability. These characteristics are mainly caused by the delayed bainite transformation during austempering through the addition of Cr, Mo and/or Ni. The addition of Ni lowered the T0 line further. The retained austenite phases of Cr-and/or Mo-bearing TBF steels were relatively stable against straining, despite their low carbon concentrations.

The fracture toughness of an advanced ultrahigh-strength 0.2%C-1.5%Si-1.5%Mn-1.0%Cr-0.05%Nb (in mass%) transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-aided steel with a bainitic ferrite and/or martensite structure matrix was investigated for applications in automobiles, construction machines, and pressure vessels. After the steel was austenitized and isothermally transformed via heat treatment at temperatures between 200°C and 350°C below the martensite-finish temperature, it exhibited a good combination of tensile strength (1.4 GPa) and total elongation (15%). In addition, the steel achieved a much higher plane-strain fracture toughness (KIC = 129-154 MPa m 1/2 ) than conventional structural steel such as SCM420 steel (KIC = 57-63 MPa m 1/2 ). Surprisingly, the fracture toughness was nearly the same as that of a maraging steel. Our results indicate that the high fracture toughness was associated with (1) a softened wide lath-martensite matrix with a low carbide content and carbon concentration and (2) effective plastic relaxation of localized stress concentration by the strain-induced transformation of fine metastable retained austenite in the narrow lath-martensite and retained austenite mixture, which suppresses void formation and cleavage crack initiation at the pre-crack tip.