Microstructure-property relationship in the thermomechanically processed C-Mn-Si-Nb-Al-(Mo) transformation-induced plasticity steels before and after prestraining and bake hardening treatment

The effect of prestraining and bake hardening (PS/BH) on the development of microstructures and mechanical properties in thermomechanically processed transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steels with additions of Nb, Mo, and Al was studied by atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An increase in number density and sizes of clusters and nanoscale precipitates was observed in both steels but was more significant in the Nb-Al-Mo steel than in the Nb-Al steel. This increase could be explained by the possible fast diffusion of Nb and Mo atoms at low temperatures, as was observed for surface diffusivity. The contributions of cluster strengthening and precipitation strengthening to the yield strength increment after PS/BH were estimated.