Tensile Response of Two Nanoscale Bainite Composite-Like Structures

The present work is concerned with the study of the relationship between microstructure and ductility of nanostructured bainite. The tensile behavior of two steels treated at the same temperature during different times has been analyzed. Special attention has been paid to the role that the retained austenite mechanical stability plays in enhancing the ductility through its contribution to the work-hardening and the damage resistance of these materials. The results have shown that the relative mechanical properties of the phases present affect both the martensitic transformation behavior and the total elongation.