NANOFORM

Development of new Complex Phase Low Carbon Microalloyed Steels, by optimization of chemistry and thermomechanical processing, i.e. hot rolling and cooling, to simultaneously obtain refined microstructures and arrays of precipitate nanoparticles. The previously unexplored synergies between the elements Nb, Mo, V and Ti on precipitation before, during and after phase transformation from austenite during hot rolling and cooling will be also addressed.

NANOFORM project will result in new product concepts optimized with respect to processing parameter windows to give robust mechanical properties, i.e. static and fatigue strength, bendability, hole expandability and toughness.

The objectives of this project are the following:

1. To gain knowledge and a better understanding about the mechanisms underlying and controlling the precipitation and microstructural changes during the Hot Rolling and Cooling of specially designed Complex Phase Low Carbon Microalloyed Steels, as well as the interaction of different phases and precipitates in the control of the advanced mechanical properties.
2. To develop new advanced high strength steel grades, for application in the construction or transportation sector, either heavy truck or light vehicle, with improved mechanical properties of formability, fatigue and toughness in comparison with existing steels with similar strength (maximum up to 1000 MPa). In this regard, a special design of the so-called “Complex Phase” (CP) steels will be developed by advanced hot rolling and cooling strategies, aiming at controlling the amount of phases (Ferrite, bainite and/or martensite), the grain size as well as the size and distribution of precipitates, the latter being preferentially in the nanometer scale.
3. To ensure the industrial applicability of this new low carbon microayolled complex phase steel in terms of composition range, formability (especially hole expansion and bendability), galvanizability and weldability within the target thickness, between 2 and 4 mm.

The project, led by Eurecat technology centre, has counted with the participation of Salzgitter, ThyssenKrupp, Institut National des Sciences Appliquees de Lyon (INSA-LYON), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CRS) and the Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CENIM-CSIC).