Effects of the aging treatment on the mechanical properties of 0.5-2.0% Cu-added hot rolled steel sheets were investigated by Vickers hardness measurement, tensile test and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The hardness of the specimen co...
Effects of the aging treatment on the mechanical properties of 0.5-2.0% Cu-added hot rolled steel sheets were investigated by Vickers hardness measurement, tensile test and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The hardness of the specimen coiled at 450℃ was greater than that of 650℃. As increasing Cu contents, the hardness increased and the time to reach peak hardness decreased. It was also found that the aging at 550℃ led to the maximum hardness for all composition. The maximum tensile strength of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% Cu-bearing steels aged at 550℃ was 553. 679 and 766㎫ respectively.
It was confirmed by TEM observation that Cu-clusters were finely dispersed throughout the grain inside. The size of Cu-clusters was about 10-20㎚ at peak-aged condition.