Effects of TMCP Parameters on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nb-bearing Spring Steel

摘要

The effects of TMCP parameters, such as finish rolling temperature and cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Nb-bearing spring steel were investigated by thermal simulation, quantitative metallography and tensile test. And the precipitation in Nb-bearing spring steel was analysis by electron microscopy. Experimental results indicate that the higher finish rolling temperature or the more rapid cooling rate in a given range, the less the proeutectoid ferrite content and the thinner the interlamellar spacing is. Reasonably higher finish rolling temperature followed by properly higher cooling rate is suggested to improve the mechanical properties of Nb-bearing spring steel. Micro-addition of niobium decreases the proeutectoid ferrite content and the interlamellar spacing and leads to forming degenerated pearlite. The precipitation of size range ～20-50 nm in Nb-bearing spring steel occurred at the lamellar ferrite of pearlite and the proeutectoid ferrite.