Properties of a Nb-V-Ti microalloyed steel influenced by cold rolling and annealing

Purpose: was to investigate impact of cold forming and annealing on microstructural and mechanical properties of HSLA steel. Design/methodology/approach: Testing of Nb-V-Ti microalloyed strip steel was based on a combination of cold rolling, recrystallization annealing, mechanical testing, metallography and TEM. Findings: It was confirmed that by a suitable combination of size of previous cold reduction size and parameters of the following annealing it is possible to influence considerably a complex of mechanical properties of particular strips. Strength as well as plastic properties depended on the course of recrystallization and precipitates' coarsening during annealing. Research limitations/implications: The experiment should be supplemented by the more detailed analyses of microstructure. Practical implications: The results may be utilized for optimization of terms of heat treatment in a cold rolling mill, especially in accordance with specific requirements for a relation between plastic and strength properties of the investigated steel. Originality/value: Research possibilities of VSB-TUO in the sphere of cold rolling of Nb-V-Ti HSLA steel were introduced in combination with the complex approach to processing of the obtained results.