Computational simulation has become more important in the design of thermomechanical processing since it allows the optimization of associated parameters such as temperature, stresses, strains and phase transformations. This work presents the results of the three-dimensional Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation of the hot rolling process of a medium Mn steel using DEFORM-3D software. Temperature and effective strain distribution in the surface and center of the sheet were analyzed for different rolling passes; also the change in damage factor was evaluated. According to the hot rolling simulation results, experimental hot rolling parameters were established in order to obtain the desired microstructure avoiding the presence of ferrite precipitation during the process. The microstructural characterization of the hot rolled steel was carried out using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the phases present in the steel after hot rolling are austenite and α′-martensite. Additionally, to understand the mechanical behavior, tensile tests were performed and concluded that this new steel can be catalogued in the third automotive generation.

A medium Mn steel (MMS) was cast by employing a vacuum induction furnace. After that, the steel was hot rolled (HR) in order to achieve a final thickness of 1.4 mm. The microstructure of the sheet was found to be composed of martensite and a little amount of austenite, the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS in this processing condition was close to 1600 MPa and a negligible elongation was found. An intercritical annealing (IA) heat treatment was applied to the steel to promote the austenite reversion and increase its amount and stability. Previous thermodynamic simulations and experimental results were used to determine the temperature and time parameters of the IA. After the steel was subjected to this heat treatment, it exhibited an elongation close to 35% and an UTS close to 1100 MPa. Bendability testing was carried out in that condition in order to correlate it with the microstructural changes in the sheet. It was found that the critical bending angle was higher in the IA condition in comparison with the HR state.

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