MULTIPHASE MICROSTRUCTURES AND THEIR PROPERTIES IN HIGH-STRENGTH LOW-CARBON STEELS

It has been known for some time that steel microstructures are almost always composed of mixtures of phases and microconstituents. It has al so been recognized that the minor phase can often exert a major influe nce on the final mechanical properties of structural steels. Over the last two decades, several important advances have been made in terms o f the properties which have become attainable in these steels. These a dvances have occurred largely through a better understanding of the co ntrol of multi-phase microstructures. This paper reviews the benefits that have accompanied a better understanding of these complex microstr uctures.