Dependence of strength–ductility characteristics on thermal history in lowcarbon,5 wt-%Mn steels

As a result of investigations into the improvement of the strength–ductility characteristics of some C–Mn steels, it has been found that the strength–ductility combination (expressed numerically as tensile strength × uniform elongation) of as hot rolled 0·1C–5Mn steels, with or without 2%Si, is greatly improved if an optimum reheating treatment in the range 650–675°C is applied to the steel. Since there is a direct connection with a large increase in the work hardening rate, it is very likely that this improvement is the result of the transformation induced plasticity of well stabilised austenite which has been formed by the reheating treatment.

MST/798