Abstract:

 We addressed TRIP steel with two different alloy contents. We initially determined its hot rolling and annealing parameters with Gleeble thermalmechanical simulating tester. We further investigated its mechanical properties, metallographic structure and macrotexture through hot and cold rolling and continuous annealing. Experimental results indicate that Cr element can stabilize low temperature austenite, reduce formation temperature of bainite, extend induction period of bainite, and increase volume fraction of austenite and banite in final microstructure of steel 2#. Cr element also increases mechanical properties of steel 2#, better strength and plasticity than steel 1# (no Cr addition). The texture characteristics of steel 1# and 2# are similar, including {332} line texture, {110}<001> and {112}<110> texture component. Cr element therefore increases the strength and ductility of sheet steel without formability reduction.

Key words: cold rolled TRIP steel, retained austenite, bainite, texture, Cr