Effect of Chemistry on Nonisothermal Tempering and Softening of Dual-Phase Steels

In sequel to our recent report,[1] we demonstrate in this article the effect of chemistry on nonisothermal tempering and softening behavior of dual-phase steels. The martensite morphology and tempered structure were analyzed using electron microscopy. Electron energy loss spectrometry and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used for a compositional analysis. It was observed that characteristic of the tempered structure in dual-phase (DP) steels was a function of prior martensite structure and chemistry, which in turn influence the extent of softening.