Abstract:
The influence of direct quenching+tempering(DQ&T) and conventional solution treatment+tempering(ST&T)processes on the mechanical properties and microstructure of Cu precipitation-strengthened ultra-high-strength steel was systematically investigated. And the influence mechanism of Cr content(0.6 wt% and 1.6 wt%) on the strength and toughness of the Cu precipitation-strengthened steel was revealed. The results show that the DQ&T process significantly enhances strength and work-hardening capacity without compromising toughness, which is primarily attributed to the preservation of high-density dislocations from hot rolling+quenching, which improves tensile strength, while simultaneously promotes finely dispersed Cu precipitate formation. Under the identical DQ&T conditions, the high-Cr steel(1.6 wt% Cr) exhibits 50-70 MPa higher yield strength and impact toughness at-20 ℃ significantly improves compared to low-Cr steel(0.6 wt% Cr). This is mainly due to the fact that the Cr element improves the hardenability, resulting in more lath martensite structure, and the precipitation of Cr/Mo enriched M
2C carbides is promoted, which enhances the secondary hardening ability and improves the toughness.