Effect of direct quenching after hot rolling on hot formed microstructure and mechanical properties of 2.2 GPa grade steel

A martensitic initial microstructure before hot forming was prepared by direct quenching after hot rolling of the hot formed steel and the effect of such initial microstructure on mechanical properties of steel was analyzed. The process of direct quenching after hot rolling which replaced the steps of coiling and cold rolling was termed as compact process. As the temperature before direct quenching falls within the non-recrystallization range, the deformed austenite grains exhibit flattened morphology along the hot rolling direction, and the high-density dislocations and significant strain energy in deformed austenite are inherited by directly quenched martensite. Moreover, due to promotion of austenite nucleation and subsequent recrystallization during the reverse transformation process in hot forming, both reversed austenite grains and martensite laths are significantly refined. Compared to the conventional process with an initial microstructure consisting of fully recrystallized ferrite and cementite, the compact process reduces average prior austenite grain sizes from 12.5 to 5.5 μm and martensite lath widths from 202 to 123 nm. Additionally, the compact process results in a higher density of dislocations in test steel, leading to maximum yield strength (1294 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength (2266 MPa). Compared to conventional process, this compact process significantly improves the mechanical properties of the hot formed steels while simplifying the production.