Evolution of Microstructures and Mechanical Properties with Tempering Temperature in a Novel Synergistic Precipitation Strengthening Ultra-High Strength Steel

The evolution of microstructures and mechanical properties with tempering temperature of a novel 2.5 GPa grade ultra-high strength steel with synergistic precipitation strengthening was investigated. With increasing tempering temperature, the experimental steel initially progressed from ε-carbides to M₃C and then to M₂C, followed by further coarsening of the M₂C carbides and β-NiAl. Concurrently, the martensite matrix gradually decomposed and austenitized. The ultimate tensile strength and yield strength initially increased and subsequently decreased with rising tempering temperature, reaching peak value at 460 and 470 °C, respectively. Conversely, the ductility and toughness initially decreased and then increased with rising tempering temperature, reaching a minimum at 440 °C. The increase in strength was attributed to the secondary hardening effects resulting from carbide evolution and the precipitation of β-NiAl. The subsequent decrease in strength was due to the recovery of martensite and coarsening of precipitates. The decrease in ductility and toughness was linked to the precipitation of M₃C, while their subsequent increase was primarily attributed to the dissolution of M₃C and an increase in the volume fraction of reverted austenite. The high dislocation density of martensite, the film of reverted austenite, nanoscale M₂C carbides, and ultrafine β-NiAl obtained during tempering at 480 °C resulted in the optimal mechanical properties of the experimental steel. The strength contributions from M₂C carbides and β-NiAl were 1081 and 597 MPa, respectively.