Investigation on the hot ductility of Q235 low-carbon steel with boron addition

Abstract

We tested the mechanical properties of B-containing steel at 600–1300 °C using Gleeble 1500, and the hot ductility was investigated according to the reduction in area (RA). The fractured specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that boron strongly influences the hot ductility of B-containing steel in comparison with B-free Q235 steel. Boron could expand the low temperature embrittlement range from 750–850 °C to 700–1000 °C, and lead to a worse hot ductility at 1150 °C, related to its re-melting property. The reduction in area is as low as 18% at 1300 °C, and the high temperature embrittlement zone is inevitable given the existence of residual solute phase between dendrites. Keywords: Hot ductility, Boron steel, Low carbon steel, Gleeble1500 simulator