Controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling was utilised in laboratory
simulations to study the microstructure and
mechanical properties of an HSLA low carbon bainitic steel. The effects of processing
parameters, such as cooling start
temperature and cooling rates, on the final microstructure and mechanical properties
were studied. Optical microscopy and
transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the complex microstructures
consisting of polygonal ferrite, pearlite,
bainite and martensite:retained austenite constituent. The use of the multiple
regression analysis allowed establishment of the
relationships between mechanical properties and accelerated cooling variables:
cooling rates and cooling start temperatures.
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