Effect of austempering temperature on microstructure and cyclic deformation behaviour of multiphase low-carbon steel

Abstract This paper examined the cyclic deformation behaviour of multiphase low-carbon steel that was subjected to austempering heat treatments at four temperatures (190 °C, 230 °C, 275 °C, and 315 °C) below the martensite start temperature ( M s = 353 °C). The tests were conducted at room temperature, under fully reversed strain-controlled conditions, with strain amplitudes in the range 0.5–1.0%. The microstructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the fracture surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The steel had a bainite/martensite microstructure, with increasing bainite content for higher austempering temperatures. Irrespective of the tested conditions, it strain-hardened during the first two cycles and then, strain-softened until failure. The austempering temperature did not significantly affect the stress-based, strain-based and energy-based relationships. However, lower austempering temperatures slightly improved the fatigue performance.