TY - JOUR
T1 - Pearlite-based quenched and tempered steel
T2 - Effect of ghost pearlite on strain-rate dependent compressive behavior and adiabatic shear band formation
AU - Nuam, Vung Lam
AU - Xiong, Zhiping
AU - Chen, Taihui
AU - Chen, Qi
AU - Zhang, Hao
AU - Li, Shuo
AU - Cheng, Xingwang
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2026/10
Y1 - 2026/10
N2 - The influence of ghost pearlite (GP) on the strain-rate-dependent compressive behavior and adiabatic shear band (ASB) evolution of Mn-partitioned pearlite-based quenched and tempered steel was systematically investigated. Three microstructures containing 0%, 26%, and 50% GP were produced by controlling the austenitization time. Dynamic compression tests were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar at strain rates ranging from 1.5 × 103 s−1 to 4.7 × 103 s−1. The GP microstructure consists of alternating layers of Mn-enriched film-like retained austenite (RA) and Mn-depleted lath martensite. Increasing the GP fraction enhanced the dynamic mechanical performance and resistance to dynamic fracture. During deformation, the film-like RA absorbed part of the deformation energy through deformation-induced martensitic transformation, thereby delaying strain localization and the evolution of ASBs. The stability of RA was found to play a critical role in governing ASB initiation and propagation. The specimen containing RA with lower stability in lower fraction of GP exhibited the greatest resistance to ASB initiation, whereas the specimen containing a higher fraction of GP with relatively higher stability of RA showed the strongest resistance to ASB propagation and the highest critical fracture strain rate. These findings provide new insights into the microstructural design of advanced high-strength steels with improved resistance to dynamic deformation and catastrophic failure.
AB - The influence of ghost pearlite (GP) on the strain-rate-dependent compressive behavior and adiabatic shear band (ASB) evolution of Mn-partitioned pearlite-based quenched and tempered steel was systematically investigated. Three microstructures containing 0%, 26%, and 50% GP were produced by controlling the austenitization time. Dynamic compression tests were conducted using a split Hopkinson pressure bar at strain rates ranging from 1.5 × 103 s−1 to 4.7 × 103 s−1. The GP microstructure consists of alternating layers of Mn-enriched film-like retained austenite (RA) and Mn-depleted lath martensite. Increasing the GP fraction enhanced the dynamic mechanical performance and resistance to dynamic fracture. During deformation, the film-like RA absorbed part of the deformation energy through deformation-induced martensitic transformation, thereby delaying strain localization and the evolution of ASBs. The stability of RA was found to play a critical role in governing ASB initiation and propagation. The specimen containing RA with lower stability in lower fraction of GP exhibited the greatest resistance to ASB initiation, whereas the specimen containing a higher fraction of GP with relatively higher stability of RA showed the strongest resistance to ASB propagation and the highest critical fracture strain rate. These findings provide new insights into the microstructural design of advanced high-strength steels with improved resistance to dynamic deformation and catastrophic failure.
KW - Adiabatic shear band
KW - Ghost pearlite
KW - High-strain rate deformation
KW - Pearlite-based quenched and tempered steel
KW - Retained austenite
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105046109276
U2 - 10.1016/j.matchar.2026.116858
DO - 10.1016/j.matchar.2026.116858
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105046109276
SN - 1044-5803
VL - 240
JO - Materials Characterization
JF - Materials Characterization
M1 - 116858
ER -