The influence of aluminium on the ferrite formation and microstructural development in hot rolled dual-phase steel

The influence of intentional aluminium additions on the ferrite phase transformation of hot rolled ferrite–martensite dual-phase steel is investigated. A range of isothermal holding temperature experiments indicates acceleration of the rate of ferrite transformation, with suggestions made to utilise aluminium additions to increase the range of holding temperatures which are currently employed during production. Through adequate alloying, it is shown that aluminium additions have the potential to maximise the initial range of holding temperatures used during three-stage cooling, enabling easier processing and limiting the distribution of mechanical properties within the final material.