Dual Phase Steel Tubes for Automotive Applications

摘要

Dual phase steels are being used increasingly in the automotive industries. These steels are characterized by the unique two phase microstructure of ferrite and martensite and provide high strength and elongation in the steel [1,2,3,4]. The dual phase steels are being produced generally from thermo-mechanical rolling practices. It is a known fact that dual phase microstructure in a steel can also be produced by heat treatment through conventional furnaces. However, the utilization of known heat treatment method through high speed heat treatment furnace and producing high strength tubular component is an emerging trend in the manufacturing industries. The volume percentage of ferrite and martensite content in dual phase steel determines the strength and ductility level in the steel. Traditionally, quenched and tempered tubes/bars are being used in automotive industry in the areas of structural members, power transmission, impact resistance and suspension systems. With the advent of dual phase heat treatment through rapid heating systems, the possibility of introducing dual phase treated tubes in place of quenched and tempered tubes are becoming attractive proposition in those areas. The high strength and high ductility tubular components are developed and the processing variables are studied in this experiment.