Improvement of strength in low-carbon Nb–Ti weathering steel through Ce microalloying

In this study, a high-strength low carbon Nb–Ti containing weathering steel was developed. The steel achieved a yield strength of 824.4 MPa and an elongation of 24.4% with the addition of 0.030% Ce as a microalloying element. Precipitation strengthening and dislocation strengthening contributed nearly 60% to the yield strength of the steel. The effects of Ce on the dissolution and precipitation behavior of microalloying elements were analyzed through experimental research and first-principles calculations. Additionally, the associated strengthening mechanisms were elucidated. The findings revealed that the Ce–Nb pairs within the 2 to 7 nearest-neighbor configuration in face-centered cubic Fe exhibited a mutual attraction. This attraction promoted the dissolution of microalloyed carbonitrides, leading to a reduction in the volume fraction of precipitates with diameters above 150 nm from 1.3% to 0.62%. Conversely, in the body-centered cubic Fe structure, Ce–Nb atom pairs were mutually repulsive across all configurations. During the coiling process, the addition of Ce increased the formation of nanoprecipitates in the 0.030% Ce–Nb–Ti weathering steel. Particularly, the volume fraction of precipitates with diameters ranging from 20 to 150 nm in the steel increased from 1.6% to 2.7%, while the fraction of nanoprecipitates also increased from 0.051% to 0.31%. The nanoprecipitates formed within the dislocation substructure of the ferrite significantly enhanced steel strength but reduced its plasticity. Additionally, the addition of Ce led to the formation of numerous fine cementite particles in the localized areas of the steel matrix, which contributed up to 49.2 MPa to the overall strength of the steel.