The study of transformations of supercooled austenite during step quenching of 20Cr2Mn2SiNiMo steel

Currently, step quenching of steels in the temperature range of martensitic transformation, including quenching – partitioning, has found wide application in the automotive industry. Step quenching technology is successfully used to increase a set of properties, which most often include temporary tensile strength and relative elongation. The authors carried out a dilatometric study of the supercooled austenite transformations occurring in the 20Cr2Mn2SiNiMo steel, when implementing various options of step quenching with holding in the martensitic region. It was found that after single-stage quenching, single-stage quenching followed by tempering, and two-stage quenching, primary martensite, isothermal bainite, and secondary martensite are formed in various quantitative ratios. Using X-ray diffraction phase analysis, the amount of residual austenite was determined during step quenching. It has been shown that two-stage quenching makes it possible to stabilise up to 14 % of residual austenite, in the structure of the studied steel, at room temperature. Research has revealed that 20Cr2Mn2SiNiMo steel is characterised by a decrease in the crystal lattice parameter of the residual austenite, with an increase in its content in the steel structure. Uniaxial tensile and impact bending tests were carried out, and the values of the mechanical properties were determined. It has been found that during two-stage quenching, higher strength and elongation values, with lower values of relative contraction and impact strength are achieved compared to oil quenching and low-temperature tempering. The study showed that, with regard to the structural reliability of machine-building parts, step quenching is not the optimal heat treatment mode for the steel under study. The best combination of strength, ductility and impact hardness is achieved after quenching and low-temperature tempering.