Effect of austenite-decomposition temperature on bainite morphology and properties of low-carbon steel after thermomechanical treatment

Peculiarities of the bainite structure formed in low-carbon steel 07G2NDMBT during isothermal austenite decomposition, namely, the sizes of crystallites, their mutual orientation, and the presence of cementite precipitates, are considered. The temperature range of the formation of bainite with the subgrain structure was determined. The size of the austenite grain and degree of hot deformation were found to affect the transformation of bainite that occurs upon subsequent cooling and the submicrocrystalline bainite structure. We studied the structure and mechanical properties of a rolled sheet 16 mm thick, which was subjected to thermomechanical treatment (TMT) under plant conditions in accordance with optimum regimes. It was shown that the high structure dispersion of the steel subjected to TMT is due to not only the formation of bainite with the subgrain structure, but also the partial transfer of crystal-structure defects from hot-rolled austenite to the final bainite structure.