Influence of the chemical composition on transformation behaviour of low carbon microalloyed steels

In order to design thermomechanical schedules for processing low carbon microalloyed steels, the various critical transformation temperatures, i.e. the start and finish of the austenite transformation (Ar3, Ar1) and the non-recrystallization temperature (Tnr), must be determined. Continuous cooling torsion and compression testing are useful ways to measure these values. In this study six low carbon microalloyed steels with different additions (Nb, Cu, Si and Mo) were examined using these techniques. Moreover, the equilibrium phase diagrams for each alloy were calculated using FactSage. The comparison of the thermomechanical testing results with the thermodynamic calculations leads to a better understanding of the effect of the different elements on the transformation behaviour of pipeline steels. Regarding transformation temperatures, Cu in residual contents showed a strong effect on decreasing both Ar3 and Ar1, which indicates a hardenability effect of this element. On the other hand, increasing Nb contents increased Tnr by accelerating Nb(C,N) precipitation. However, when Si was added to a Nb-microalloyed steel, the Tnr decreased.