Improving the mechanical properties of the ASIS 430 stainless steels by using Q&P and Q&T processes.

Highlights • Q&P processes were applied to both the hot rolled and cold rolled AISI 430 stainless steels. • The Q&P microstructure consisted of ferrite, twin martensite and retained austenite. • High tensile strength together with large elongation were acquired after Q&P processes. Abstract High tensile strength and large elongation are obtained by applying the Q&P process to the hot rolled or directly cold rolled AISI 430 ferritic stainless steels characterized by ferrite, twin martensite and retained austenite. Both the prior formed martensite during the quenching and the TRIP effect of the retained austenite account for the improved tensile strength and the retained austenite gives a promotion to the large elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]