Rapid Strengthening of Interstitial Free Steel Using Amorphous FeC Thin Films and Induction Heating

A new process to rapidly obtain high-strength interstitial free (IF) steel was investigated. Thin sheets of IF steel were coated on one or both sides with an amorphous FeC film and subjected to a two-step induction heating cycle (1100 °C followed by an isothermal hold at 780 °C for 2 or 4 min) and a rapid quench in water. Tensile mechanical properties were measured, and a yield stress of 374 MPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 448 MPa were …