Investigations on the microstructure and quantification of mechanical properties of a heat treated Cu-bearing HSLA-80 steel

Abstract

An ULCB steel (named GPT) received from US Naval Research Laboratory has been characterised with respect to microstructure and mechanical properties. The effect of heat treatment parameters, such as austenitisation temperature, tempering temperature and tempering time has been studied. The microstructures obtained through different heat treatment have been studied through optical, scanning electron and tansmission electron microscopes. The mechanical properties have been quantified with respect to heat treatment process parameters. Regression equations have been developed through 22 factorial design of experiments. These equations can be effectively used for optimisation purpose. Also it is possible, through these equations, to determine the heat treatment process variables for a desired combination of mechanical properties.