Skip to main content

Candidates for Third-Generation Steels: Q&P Processed Steels

  • Chapter
Advanced High Strength Sheet Steels

Abstract

The fundamentals of quenching and partitioning process are discussed including various points of view and existing different approaches. Evolution of structure is considered including effect of processing parameters (quenching temperature, temperature, and duration of partitioning) and contribution of bainite reaction. The role of retained austenite stability and possible impacts of various factors are presented. The chapter includes the discussion of relationship between microstructure and the main properties of Q&P steels such as the combination of strength and ductility, strain hardening, and hole extension, as well as appropriate influence of steel composition. Modern modifications of Q&P thermal cycle are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Andrews, K.W. 1965. “Empirical Formulae for Calculation of Some Transformation Temperatures.” Iron and Steel Institute Journal 203 (Part 7): 721–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arlazarov, A., O. Bouaziz, J.P. Masse, and F. Kegel. 2015. “Characterization and Modeling of Mechanical Behavior of Quenching and Partitioning Steels.” Material Science and Engineering A 620: 293–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, A.J., J.G. Speer, D.K. Matlock, F.C. Rizzo, D.V. Edmonds, and M.J. Santofimia. 2009. “Influence of Carbon Partitioning Kinetics on Final Austenite Fraction during Quenching and Partitioning.” Scripta Materialia 61: 149–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, A.J., J.G. Speer, M.K. Miller, R.E. Hackenberg, and D.V. Edmonds. 2008. “Carbon Partitioning to Austenite from Martensite or Bainite during the Quench and Partition (Q&P) Process. A Critical Assessment.” Acta Materialia 56 (1): 16–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Knijf, D., R. Petrov, C. Fojer, and L.A.I. Kestens. 2014. “Effect of Fresh Martensite on the Stability of Retained Austenite in Quenching and Partitioning Steel.” Material Science and Engineering A 615: 107–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Moor, E., D.K. Matlock, J. Speer, and et al. 2012a. Comparison of Hole Expansion Properties of Quench & Partitioned, Quenched & Tempered and Austempered Steels. SAE International 2012-01-0530.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Moor, E., J.G. Speer, D.K. Matlock, J.-H. Kwak, and S.-B. Lee. 2011a. “Effect of Carbon and Manganese on the Quenching and Partitioning Response of CMnSi Steels.” ISIJ International 51 (1): 137–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ———. 2012b. “Quenching and Partitioning of CMnSi Steels Containing Elevated Manganese Levels.” Steel Research International 83 (4): 322–27. doi:10.1002/srin.201100318.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Moor, E., J.G. Speer, D.K. Matlock, J. Penning, and C. Fojer. 2009. “Effect of Si, Al and Mo Alloying on Tensile Properties Obtained by Quenching and Partitioning.” In Material Science and Technology, 1554–63. Pittsburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Moor, E., J. Speer, J.-H. Kwak, S.-B. Lee, and D.K. Matlock. 2011b. “Quenching and Partitioning of CMnSi Steels Containing Elevated Manganese Levels.” In HMnS – 2011, B – 34, 1–9. Seoul, South Korea.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds, D., D. Matlock, and J. Speer. 2010. “Development in High Strength Steels with Duplex Microstructures of Bainite or Martensite with Retained Austenite: Progress with Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Heat Treatment.” In 229–41. Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds, D.V., K. He, F.C. Rizzo, B.C. De Cooman, D.K. Matlock, and J.G. Speer. 2006. “Quenching and Partitioning Martensite – A Novel Steel Heat Treatment.” Material Science and Engineering A 438–440: 25–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fonstein, N., H.J. Jun, O. Yakubovsky, R. Song, and N. Pottore. 2013. “Evolution of Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS) to Meet Automotive Challenges.” In Vail, CO, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hausmann, K., D. Krizan, A. Pichler, and E. Werner. 2013a. “TRIP-Aided Bainitic-Ferritic Sheet Steel: A Critical Assessment of Alloy Design and Heat Treatment.” In MS&T’13, 209–18. Montreal, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hausmann, K., D. Krizan, K. Spiradek-Hahn, A. Pichler, and E. Werner. 2013b. “The Influence of Nb on Transformation Behavior and Mechanical Properties of TRIP-Assisted Bainitic-Ferritic Sheet Steels.” Material Science and Engineering A 588: 142–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, T.Y. 2010. “Ultra-High Strength Steel Treated by Using Quenching-Partitioning-Tempering Process.” In 64–70. Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, T.Y., and X. Jin. 2011. “Ultra-High Strength Treated by Using Quenching-Partitioning-Tempering Process.” In Advanced Steels: The Recent Scenario in Steelscience and Technology, 67–73. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, T.Y., X.J. Jin, and Y.H. Rong. 2013. “Strengthening and Toughening Mechanisms of Quenching-Partitioning-Tempering (Q-P-T) Steels.” Journal of Alloys and Compounds 575: 5568–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imai, N., N. Komatsubara, and K. Kunishige. 1995. “Effect of Alloying Element and Microstructure on Mechanical Properties of Low-Alloy TRIP-Steels.” CAMP-ISIJ 8: 572–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jun, H.J., and N. Fonstein. 2008. “Microstructure and Tensile Properties of TRIP-Aided CR Sheet Steels: TRIP-Dual and Q&P.” In 155–61. Orlando, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karelova, A., E. Werner, and T. Hebesberger. 2009. “Hole Expansion of Dual-Phase and Complex-Phase AHS Steels – Effect of Edge Condition.” Steel Research International 80: 71–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawata, H., K. Hayashi, N. Sugiura, N. Yoshinaga, and M. Takahashi. 2010. “Effect of Martensite in Initial Structure on Bainite Transformation.” Materials Science Forum 638–642 (Pt. 4, THERMEC 2009): 3307–12. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koistinen, D.P., and P.E. Marburger. 1959. “A General Equation Prescribing the Extent of the Austenite-Martensite Transformation in Pure Iron-Carbon Alloys and Plain Carbon Steels.” Acta Metall 7: 59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krauss, George’. 2005. Steels: Processing, Structure and Performance. TMS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S.-J., and Y.-K. Lee. 2005. “Effect of Austenite Grain Size in Martensitic Transformation of a Low Alloy Steel.” Material Science Forum 475–479: 3169–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H.Y., X.W. Lu, W.J. Li, and X.J. Jin. 2010. “Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of an Ultrahigh-Strength 40SiMnNiCr Steel during the One-Step Quenching and Partitioning Process.” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions 41 (5): 1284–1300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, H., X. Lu, X. Jin, H. Dong, and J. Shi. 2011. “Enhanced Mechanical Properties of a Hot Stamped Advanced High-Strength Steel Treated by Quenching and Partitioning Process.” Scripta Materialia 64: 749–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maheswari, N., S.G. Chowdhury, K.C.H. Kumar, and S. Sankaran. 2014. “Influence of Alloying Elements on the Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical properties in Quenched and Partitioned Steels.” Material Science and Engineering A 600: 12–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matlock, D.K., V.E. Brautigam, and J.G. Speer. 2003. “Application of the Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Process to a Medium Carbon High Si Microalloyed Bar Steel.” In Materials Science Forum, 1089–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, G.B., and M. Cohen. 1976. “A General Mechanism of Martensite Nucleation.” Metallurgical Transactions A 7A: 1897–1904.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paravicini Bagliaani, E., M.J. Santofimia, L. Zhao, J. Sietsma, and E. Anelli. 2013. “Microstructure, Tensile and Toughness Properties after Quenching and Partitioning Treatment of a Medium-Carbon Steel.” Material Science and Engineering A 559: 486–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samanta, S., S. Das, D. Chakrabarti, I. Samajdar, S. Singh, and A. Haldar. 2013. “Development of Multiphase Microstructure with Bainite, Martensite and Retained Austenite Un a Co-Containing Steel through Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Treatment.” Metallurgical and Material Transactions A 44 (13): 5653–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samek, L., E. De Moor, J. Penning, and B.C. De Cooman. 2006. “Influence of Alloying Elements on the Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties in Quenched and Partitioned Steels.” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions 37 (1): 109–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santofimia, M.J., T. Nguyen-Minh, and et al. 2010. “New Low Carbon Q&P Steels Containing Film-like Intercritical Ferrite.” Material Science and Engineering A 527: 6429–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santofimia, M.J., I. Zhao, and J. Sietsma. 2011a. “Overview of Mechanisms Involved during the Quenching and Partitioning Process in Steels.” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 42A (12): 3620–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santofimia, M.J., L. Zhao, R. Petrov, C. Kwakernaak, W.G. Sloof, and J. Sietsma. 2011b. “Microstructure Development during the Quenching and Partitioning Process in a Newly Designed Low-Carbon Steel.” Acta Materialia 59: 6059–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santofimia, M.J., L. Zhao, and J. Sietsma. 2008. “Model for Interaction between Interface Migration and Carbon Diffusion during Annealing of Martensite-Austenite Microstructure in Steels.” Scripta Materialia 59 (2): 159–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santofimia, M.J., L. Zhao, and J. Sietsma. 2009. “Microstructural Evolution of a Low-Carbon Steel during Application of Quenching and Partitioning Heat Treatments after Partial Austenitization.” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 40 A (1): 46–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seo, E.J., L. Cho, and B.C. De Cooman. 2015. “Application of Quenching and Partitioning Processing to Medium Mn Steels.” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions 46 (1): 27–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seto, K., and H. Matsuda. 2013. “Application of Nanoengineering to Research and Development and Production of High Strength Sheets.” Material Science and Technology 29 (10): 1158–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Somani, M.C., D.A. Porter, L.P. Karialainen, and R.D.K. Misra. 2014. “On Various Aspects of Decomposition of Austenite in a High Silicon Steel During Quenching and Partitioning.” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 45A (3): 1247–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Speer, J.G., E. De Moor, K.O. Findley, D.K. Matlock, B.C. De Cooman, and D.V. Edmonds. 2011. “Analysis of Microstructure Evolution in Quenching and Partitioning Automotive Sheet Steels.” Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 42 A (12): 3591–3601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Speer, J., D.K. Matlock, Cooman De, and J.G. Schroth. 2003. “Carbon Partitioning into Austenite after Martensite Transformation.” Acta Materialia 51 (9): 2611–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steven, W., and A.G. Haynes. 1956. “The Temperature of Formation of Martensite and Bainite in Low-Alloy Steels.” Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute 183 (8): 349–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streicher-Clarke, A., J. Speer, D. Matlock, and B.C. De Cooman. 2004. “Quenching and Partitioning Response of a Si-Aided TRIP Sheet Steels.” In 51–62. Winter Park, CO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, J., and H. Yu. 2013. “Microstructure Development and Mechanical Properties of Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Steels and an Incorporation of Hot-Dipping Galvanization During Q&P Process.” Material Science and Engineering, A 586 (1): 100–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, J., H. Yu, S. Wang, and Y. Fan. 2013. “Study of Microstructure Evolution, Microstructure-Mechanical Properties Correlation and Collaborative Deformation-Transformation Behavior of Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) Steel.” Material Science and Engineering A 585: 132–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, X., Y. Xu, X. Yang, and Z. Liu. 2014. “Effect of Partitioning Procedure on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Hot-Rolled Directly Quenched and Partitioned Steel.” Material Science and Engineering A 594: 149–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, Z.-l., K.-k. Wang, G.-h. Gao, X.-l. Gui, and B.-z. Bai. 2014. “Mechanical Properties of Steels Treated by Q-P-T Process Incorporating Carbide-Free Bainite/martensite Multiphase Microstructure.” Journal of Iron and Steel Research, International 21 (2): 191–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tariq, F., and R.A. Baloch. 2014. “One-Step Quenching and Partitioning Heat Treatment of Medium Carbon Low-Ally Steel.” JMEPEG 23: 1726–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, G.A., J.G. Speer, and D.K. Matlock. 2008. “Considerations in the Application of the ‘Quenching and Partitioning’ Concept in Hot Rolled AHSS Production.” In 227–39. Orlando, Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toji, Y., H. Matsuda, M. Herbig, P. Choi, and D. Raabe. 2014. “Atom-Scale Analysis of Carbon Partitioning between Martensite and Austenite by Atom Probe Tomography and Correlative Transmission Electron Microscopy.” Acta Materiala 65: 215–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C.Y., J. Shi, W.Q. Cao, and H. Dong. 2010. “Characterization of Microstructure Obtained by Quenching and Partitioning Process in Low Alloy Martensitic Steel.” Materials Science and Engineering: A 527 (15): 3442–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., and W. Feng. 2010. “Development and Application of Q&P Sheet Steels.” In 242–45. Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, Z.J., Y.Q. Ren, W.H. Zhou, J.R. Yang, C.J. Shang, and R.D.K. Misra. 2014. “Stability of Retained Austenite in Multi-Phase Microstructure during Austempering and Its Effect on the Ductility of a Low Carbon Steel.” Material Science and Engineering A 603: 69–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong, X.C., B. Chen, M.X. Huang, J.F. Wang, and L. Wang. 2013. “The Effect of Morphology on the Stability of Retained Austenite in a Quenched and Partitioned Steel.” Scripta Materialia 68: 321–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, Y., X. Tan, X. Yang, and Z. Hu. 2014. “Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of a Hot-Rolled Directly Quenched and Partitioned Steel Containing Proeutectoid Ferrite.” Material Science and Engineering A 607: 460–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, H.-S., and H.K D.H. Bhadeshia. 2009. “Austenite Grain Size and the Martensite-Start Temperature.” Scripta Materialia 60: 493–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi, H.L., P. Chen, Z.Y. Hou, and N. Hong. 2013. “A Novel Design: Partitioning Achieved by Quenching and Tempering (Q-T&P) in an Aluminium Added Low-Density Steel.” Scripta Materialia 68 (6): 370–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, F., H. Song, M. Cheng, and X. Li. 2014. “Microstructure Development and Mechanical Properties of a Hot Stamped Low-Carbon Advanced High Strength Steel Treated by a Novel Dynamic Carbon Partitioning Process.” In ICHSU 2014. Chongqin, China.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., H. Ding, R.D.K. Misra, and C. Wang. 2011. “Enhanced Stability of Retained Austenite and Consequent Work Hardening Rate Through Pre-Quenching prior to Quenching and Partitioning in a Q-P Microalloyed Steel.” Material Science and Engineering, A 611: 252–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., H. Ding, C. Wang, J. Zhao, and T. Ding. 2013. “Work Hardening Behavior of a Low Carbon Nb-Microalloyed Si-Mn Quenching and Partitioning Steel with Different Cooling Styles after Partitioning.” Material Science and Engineering A 585: 132–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, C., D. Tang, H.-T. Jiang, and S.-S. Jhao. 2008. “Process Simulation and Microstructure Analysis of Low Carbon Si-Mn Quenched and Partitioned Steel.” Journal of Iron and Steel Research, International 15 (4): 82–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, S., K. Zhang, Y. Wang, J.F. Gu, and Y.H. Rong. 2011. “High Strength-Elongation Product of Nb-Microalloyed Low-Carbon Steel by a Novel Quenching-Partitioning-Tempering Process.” Material Science and Engineering A 528 (27): 8006–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fonstein, N. (2015). Candidates for Third-Generation Steels: Q&P Processed Steels. In: Advanced High Strength Sheet Steels. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19165-2_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics