Achieving strength-ductility synergy of hot-stamping steel via microalloying technology has attracted great attention due to their pronounced precipitation strengthening. Nevertheless, the precipitation behaviours and characteristics have not been clearly unveiled. In this work, the effects of V content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 1800 MPa grade hot-stamping steel are systematically studied. Massive V contained precipitates develop after hot-rolling and coiling, which refine the martensitic microstructure and retain in the matrix after austenitizing and quenching. The refined martensite with massive precipitates is responsible for the good mechanical properties. Generally, the tensile strength decreases slightly with increasing V content from 0.04% to 0.2%, as V consumes C in the martensite matrix by forming carbides and promoting precipitate coarsening.

The effects of one-step aging and double aging on the properties and microstructures of 7075 Al sheets were studied via mechanical property testing, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that with continued one-step aging, the tensile and yield strengths of the Al sheets first increased rapidly with an increase in the treatment time to 8 h and then increased slightly with a further increase in the treatment time to 10 h. The tensile and yield strengths became constant after 16 h of treatment. The mechanical strength properties of the Al sheets peaked after 16 h of one-step aging. However, the double aging treatment provided better mechanical properties and working efficiency than the one-step aging treatment. The tensile strength and microhardness resulting from double aging were greater than those resulting from one-step aging by 5.87% and 8.71%, respectively. Herein, we quantified the contribution ofvarious strengthening mechanisms.

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