The Effects of Dynamic Strain Aging on the Mechanical Properties of Several HSLA Steels

Eight high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steels were dynamically strain aged in the temperature range 100-600°C, with strains from 1.5 to 6% and strain rates from 1 x 10^-4 to 2 x 10^-2. Subsequently, changes in tensile, notch impact and fatigue properties were determined. The data indicate that in forming HSLA steels in the dynamic strain aging range, the temperature should be between about 250 and 400°C, with the higher end of the range being preferred. The strain rate is unimportant. A dual-phase Mn-Mo-Cb steel gave the best response to this treatment.

The room temperature tensile properties for this steel were:

At the forming temperature, yielding was continuous and the rate of work hardening was more rapid than at room temperature.