New Understanding of Stabilization and the Properties of Ultra-Low Carbon Steels

The first generation of interstitial-free or ultra-low carbon (ULC) sheet steels has good drawability but very low yield strength. The second generation of ULC steels contains high phosphorus and/or allow a partial stabilization of carbon. However, traditional alloy design does not always result in the desired properties. This paper reviews new understanding of the precipitation and mechanical behaviors of ULC steels.