Local Notch Toughness of Slab Surface Zone in ULC/IF and HSLA Steels

The aim of this work was to analyze changes in local toughness KCV using Charpy V-notch impact tests in the slab surface zone in relation to the microstructure in ULC/ IF steel and TiNb HSLA steel. Marked heterogeneity in KCV values was confirmed in the surface zone across the width of transitional slabs. Distinct local differences in notch toughness across the slab width were found to be linked primarily with changes in ferrite grain size. Low KCV values in the analyzed steels were linked with coarse grain structure, while much finer ferrite structure was identified in tough samples. The heterogeneity of KCV vales in the analyzed steels may be influenced by differences in thickness of the fine-grain slab surface zone, and by the presence of tertial cementite and (in HSLA steel) of pearlite as well.