Influence of partitioning on mechanical behavior of Q&P steels

The effect of partitioning conditions during Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) annealing on mechanical behavior of cold rolled 0.2C-2.22Mn-1.44Si-0.21Cr steels was studied. Q&P heat treatments followed by tensile tests were performed. The evolution of mechanical properties as a function of partitioning temperature and time was analyzed. Microstructure and retained austenite fraction in the initial state and after interrupted tensile tests were characterized by SEM and magnetic measurements. Tensile tests were also performed on tempered martensite to assess the mechanical properties of partitioned martensite. Finally, efforts were made to bring results together and explain the microstructure and mechanical properties of Q&P steels.