2014 Volume 54 Issue 8 Pages 1943-1951
The effects of Cr, Mo, and Ni addition on the microstructure and stretch-flangeability of a 0.2%C–1.5%Si–1.5%Mn–0.05%Nb (mass%) transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-aided martensitic steel sheet produced by an isothermal transformation process at a temperature below martensite transformation-finish temperatures were investigated in order to develop third-generation steel sheet for automobiles requiring high hardenability. When 0.5% or 1.0% Cr was added to the base steel, a tensile strength of 1.5 GPa and a hole-expanding ratio of 40% was attained. On the other hand, the addition of Cr–Mo or Cr–Mo–Ni had a minimal influence on stretch-flangeability and stretch-formability, although it increased the yield and tensile strengths as compared to the base steel. The good balance of the Cr-bearing steel was mainly caused by a suitable combination of (1) volume fraction and (2) interparticle path of a finely dispersed martensite–austenite complex phase, which suppressed void initiation at the matrix/complex-phase interface on hole-punching and void coalescence or crack extension on hole-expanding.