Effect of Chromium on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hot-Dip Galvanized Dual-Phase (DP980) Steel

Generally, the addition of Chromium (Cr) into the dual-phase (DP) steels can suppress bainitic transformation. In this work, the continuous hot-dip galvanization of DP980 steel is thermally simulated with various Cr contents of 0/0.3/0.6 wt.%, and the effect of Cr on bainitic transformation and properties of steels is studied. The results indicate that the bainitic transformation is obviously inhibited. The fraction of bainite decreases with the increasing Cr content. The incubation time is prolonged in the 0.6Cr steel with a slower bainitic transformation rate. Compared to that of 0 and 0.3Cr steels, the 0.6Cr steel exhibits a high tensile strength of 1033 MPa and uniform elongation of 9.1% due to the rapid strain-hardening rate. As a result, the mechanical properties of 0.6Cr steel satisfy the requirements of hot-dip galvanized DP980 steel.