Development of Low Carbon Microalloyed High Strength Ultra-Thin Cast Strip Products Produced by the Castrip~ Process With Excellent Strength-Ductility Properties

The CASTRIP* process produces a range of high strength Ultra-thin Cast Strip (UCS) products (380-550 MPa) in thicknesses between 0.9 mm and 1.5 mm, which is very challenging to produce via conventional hot and cold rolled processing routes. The twin roll CASTRIP process fully exploits the hardenability and strengthening potential of Nb in a low C-Mn-Nb-V microalloyed steel type. Significant microstructural strengthening from solute Nb was obtained, even at low microalloying levels, as well as modest Mn additions, through enhancing the hardenability and further strengthening was obtained in coated products by exploiting age hardening during processing on a continuous hot dip galvanising line. Atom probe tomography and TEM determined that Nb was retained in solid solution and subsequent age hardening resulted from the formation of Nb and V rich nanosized particles. Age hardening was achieved without loss of ductility producing galvanised strip with an excellent strength-ductility combination (Y.S. >600 MPa, T.E. >10%).