Selective Oxidation of a Medium-Mn Third Generation Advanced High Strength Steel during Austenitizing and Intercritical Annealing

The effect of the simulated continuous galvanizing line N2−5 vol% H2 process atmosphere oxygen partial pressure (pO2) on the external and internal selective oxidation of a prototype medium-Mn third generation (3G) advanced high strength steel was determined during a two-stage heat treatment cycle (i.e., austenitizing and intercritical annealing) which had previously yielded 3G properties. Thick external oxides (∼200 nm) were observed after the …