Comprehensive Analysis on Quenching and Partitioning on a 30MnV6 Microalloyed Steel

Characterization of the effect of different Quenching and Partitioning treatments on retained austenite stabilization, on the final microstructure and on tensile properties was performed on a 30MnV6 microalloyed steel. The amount of RA and its location into the final microstructure were evaluated through XRD and EBSD. Moreover, different initial microstructural conditions were employed to preliminarily investigate the effect of a starting mixed austenite – ferrite microstructure on the effectiveness of the treatment, in order to tailor the material final tensile properties according to its actual utilization. Different RA amounts were measured in the different cases, and various levels of tensile properties were obtained: with respect to the base quenched and tempered condition, an increase of UTS, coupled with a high elongation at break, was observed. QP appears therefore to be a promising treatment for the selected grade.