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Abstract
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Excellent mechanical properties in combination with low production cost make nanostructured bainitic steels prone to be used as an alternative material for applications where considerable strength and ductility combinations are demanded. However, it seems to be important to overcome some development barriers. This article aims to study the effect of ausforming on nano bainite transformation rate and microstructural characteristics. Results indicate that ausforming can effectively accelerate the bainitic transformation especially at early stages due to the higher potential nucleation sites introduced before isothermal heat treatment. Furthermore, it has been found that ausforming can further influence the microstructural features where thermally and mechanically less stable blocky austenite could be replaced by bainitic sheaves. This can in turn affect the remaining austenite carbon content and corresponding thermal stability.
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