Study on Microstructure and Properties of a New Warm-Stamped Niobium-Alloyed Steel

Abstract

The warm stamping technology is a promising technology to meet the needs of car weight reduction and energy conservation. In order to compare with the mechanical properties of the traditional hot-stamped boron-alloyed steel 22MnB5, a new warm-stamped niobium-alloyed steel 22Mn3SiNb was designed and tested. The optimal heating parameters for warm forming process were explored through mechanical tests, and the process of their microstructure evolution was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. The experimental results indicate that the optimal heating parameters for the niobium-alloyed steel 22Mn3SiNb are a heating temperature of 800 °C and a soaking time of 5 min. Compared to the hot-stamped boron-alloyed steel 22MnB5 under their respective optimal heating parameters, the properties and microstructure characteristics of 22Mn3SiNb are greatly improved, and nearly no decarburized layer is found on the surface of the niobium-alloyed steel 22Mn3SiNb. In addition, the addition of Nb produces the effects of grain refinement and precipitation strengthening due to the introduction of plenty of nano-precipitated particles and dislocations. In the end, it can be predicted that the new warm-stamped niobium-alloyed steel will replace the conventional hot-stamped boron-alloyed steel.