Effect of bainitic transformation combined with hot forming on the microstructure and mechanical properties of bainite-martensite multiphase steel

We have investigated the effect of introducing hot deformation and bainite isothermal treatment to the quenching-partitioning process for steel on the mechanical properties. The results indicate that the number of bainite-nucleation sites increase and the total elongation improves by deforming the steel and subsequently refining the martensite sheaves. Following this process, an excellent strength-elongation product of 27.5 GPa% is obtained.