Design of novel high-strength bainitic steels. Part II

Abstract

A combination of thermodynamic, kinetic and mechanical property models and physical metallurgy principles was used in Part I of this study, to propose a number of alloys which exploit the carbide-free bainitic microstructure at its theoretical best. These alloys have been manufactured and the present paper (Part II) reports the results of metallographic characterisation and mechanical tests. The proposed steels are found to have the highest ever combination of strength and toughness for bainitic microstructures, matching even the maraging steels which are at least thirty times more expensive. The work confirms the alloy design procedures explained in Part I