Developing high strength/high toughness grades steels by dual-precipitates co-configuration during aging process

Development of new ultrahigh strength steels with high strength and high toughness requires thorough comprehension of nanoscale precipitation mechanisms. In this investigation, a comprehensive array of techniques including atom probe tomography, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, small angle x-ray Scattering and thermodynamic calculations were employed. These methods unveiled an intriguing co-precipitation mechanism involving NiAl and carbide nanoparticles in a 2.2 GPa grade strength steel. The results demonstrate that the precipitation mechanisms of NiAl and carbides at different aging temperatures have a significant impact on the strength and toughness of the steel. Sub-micron ε-carbide at the interface of martensite lath and uniformly distributed NiAl cluster in the matrix are independent nucleation during the low-temperature aging process. The high distribution density of NiAl cluster in the matrix results in an increase in the impact absorbed energy of the steel to 136 J, albeit with a slight decrease in strength. On the other hand, the NiAl with minimal lattice misfit and low interfacial energy preferentially nucleates uniformly in the matrix, inducing the nucleation of M2C and increasing the number density of M2C precipitates at the secondary hardening temperature. The homogeneous precipitation of spherical NiAl, along with needle-shaped M2C in the martensite, significantly enhances the strength of the steel, with a tensile strength reaching up to 2216 MPa and an impact absorbed energy of 21 J.