Effect of Heat Treatment on the Mechanical Properties and the Carbide Characteristics of a High Strength Low Alloy Steel

Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties and the corresponding morphology changes of carbides such as (NbTi)C and Mo,Cr rich carbides in a high strength steel was studied in the paper.It was found that the strength depend more on tempering temperature than quenching temperature.While the toughness seemed to be sensitive to both quenching temperature and tempering temperature.Under the as water quenched condition,the toughness gave a peak value at the quenching temperature of 860℃.Under the as tempered condition,the toughness showed a temper brittleness at the temperature range of 230℃ to 450℃.The morphology changes of the carbides in the experimental steel were explained from the view of the thermal dynamic behavior.