Study of the temperature dependence of the bainitic transformation rate in a multiphase TRIP-assisted steel

A prerequisite to the development of multiphase TRIP-assisted steels is a good understanding of the bainitic transformation that takes place during the related thermo-mechanical processing. In this framework, the present paper proposes to investigate the formation of bainite when originating from intercritical austenite in a Si bearing steel. The experimental results suggest the contribution of a martensitic type mechanism to the transformation process. Yet, the overall bainitic reaction rates are found to strongly depend on the holding temperature. This original kinetics is correlated with the typical microstructure the steel exhibits after the intercritical annealing stage. To this extent, the crucial role of the adjacent development of bainitic ferrite for the observed temperature dependence is discussed.