Mechanical properities of an HSLA bainitic steel subjected to controlled rolling with accelerated cooling

Controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling was utilised in laboratory simulations to study the microstructure and mechanical properties of an HSLA low carbon bainitic steel. The effects of processing parameters, such as cooling start temperature and cooling rates, on the final microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the complex microstructures consisting of polygonal ferrite, pearlite, bainite and martensite/retained austenite constituent. The use of the multiple regression analysis allowed establishment of the relationships between mechanical properties and accelerated cooling variables: cooling rates and cooling start temperatures.