Microstructural characterisation of continuously cooled steels and steel welds

Fe-Mn-Si-C steels are currently the most widely used type of steel for structural, building and automotive applications. Additionally, these steels also find important applications within welded structures, due to their low cost and versatility with regard to chemical composition and heat treatments because of the possibility to tailor their final mechanical properties. The production of a specific component made out of such steels generally involves continuous cooling heat treatments. Therefore, the way in which an optimum balance is achieved between the heat treatment parameters, the alloy composition and the desired microstructure for a specific application, is a vital step in the investigation of Fe-Mn-Si-C steels.....