Effect of Quenching and Tempering on Mechanical Properties and Impact Fracture Behavior of Low-Carbon Low-Alloy Steel

Conventional quenching and tempering were employed to achieve the optimal strength and toughness of low-carbon low-alloy steel. The fracture behavior (crack initiation and propagation) of the steel in the impact process was also analyzed. It was found that the microstructures of the steel after different tempering treatments were mainly composed of martensite, and its mechanical properties were dependent on the tempering temperature. With the increase in tempering temperature, martensitic laths merged and coarsened. Moreover, recovery occurred, causing a decrease in dislocation density. Subsequently, the strength of the steel gradually decreased, and the impact energy increased. When the tempering temperature was 600 °C, the optimal yield strength (557 MPa) and the impact energy (331 J) were achieved. In addition, high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) affected the impact energy and crack propagation. Cracks were easily deflected when they encountered high angle grain boundaries, and linearly expanded when they encountered low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs).