Mechanical properties and precipitation behavior of high strength hot-rolled ferritic steel containing Nb and V

The mechanical properties and precipitation behavior of hot-rolled microalloyed steels with varied Nb and V additions were investigated. The steels had a predominantly ferritic microstructure with a very good combination of strength (σUTS = 800–1000 MPa), ductility (total elongation = 16–19%) and hole expansion ratio (32–34%). The strength increased with increasing Nb and V content. The stretch-flangeability of the steels did not deteriorate with increasing strength. The favorable hole expansion behavior of the steels is attributed to the fine ferrite grain size (1.6–1.8 μm) and uniformity of the microstructure, as well as the fine precipitates of Nb and V carbonitrides in the matrix. Nb carbonitrides formed during hot rolling and contributed to the grain refinement through their interaction with recrystallization. The co-precipitation of Nb and V carbonitrides during coiling was confirmed and characterized by 3D atom probe tomography. The formation of these fine precipitates contributed to further increase in the strength of the V-containing steel allowing the steel to achieve strength >1000 MPa.