New metallographic techniques for microstructural characterization of advanced high strength steels for automotive industry

• Grant number: 11/17891-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2011
• End date: June 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Physical Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo dos Santos Pereira
• Grantee: Carolina Vinhal Grupioni
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this project, we intend to develop new metallographic techniques, with the exclusive use of optical microscopy, for microstructural characterization of advanced high-strength steels, among which we highlight the dual-phase steels (dual-phase steel), multiphase steels (TRIP steel) and complex-phase steels (phase-complex), provided by the automobile industry, specifically by Renault, currently applied as feedstock in the production of vehicles. This context encompasses the development of new advanced high-strength steel in line with the project ULSAB-AVC, which aims to produce safe vehicles, economically viable and with efficient fuel consumption, for the 21st century. It will be held the microstructural characterization of dual-phase, multiphase and complex-phase steels, through the identification and quantification of the present phases in coexistence. In this section, special attention should be paid to microstructural characterization techniques, which will be conducted only by optical microscopy. An important contribution is the use of different etchings (Beraha, Klemm's, and "Heat Tinting" techniques), in addition to conventional etchings (Nital, aqueous solution of sodium metabisulfite and "LePera"), already used by the Research Group of UNESP. The microstructures are correlated with mechanical properties, which are determined through tensile tests, in order to determine the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation, given that this material has structural application in the automotive industry. Finally, we intend to contribute to the technological development of advanced steel high-strength, through the generation of knowledge and skills in universities, to be published continuously accelerating a move to the productive sector, particularly the automotive industry.(AU)