Effects of Microalloying on Stretch-flangeability of Ultrahigh-strength TRIP-aided Martensitic Steel Sheets

The effects of Cr, Mo, and Ni addition on the microstructure and stretch-flangeability of a 0.2%C-1.5%Si-1.5%Mn-0.05%Nb (mass%) transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-aided martensitic steel sheet produced by an isothermal transformation process at a temperature below martensite transformation-finish temperatures were investigated in order to develop third-generation steel sheet for automobiles requiring high hardenability. When 0.5% or 1.0% Cr was added to the base steel, a tensile strength of 1.5 GPa and a hole-expanding ratio of 40% was attained. On the other hand, the addition of Cr-Mo or Cr-Mo-Ni had a minimal influence on stretch-flangeability and stretch-formability, although it increased the yield and tensile strengths as compared to the base steel. The good balance of the Cr-bearing steel was mainly caused by a suitable combination of (1) volume fraction and (2) interparticle path of a finely dispersed martensite-austenite complex phase, which suppressed void initiation at the matrix/complex-phase interface on hole-punching and void coalescence or crack extension on hole-expanding.