Evaluation of the Possibility of Using Non-Conventional Technological Approaches for the Heat Treatment of Hot-Rolled DP Steel

This study investigates the transformation behavior of advanced high-strength dual-phase (DP) steel subjected to thermal cycling, aiming to support improved automotive steel-processing technologies in terms of properties, cost, and speed. The heat treatment applied consisted of 1–7 cycles through the intercritical region at a conventional heating rate. Results were compared with the conventional dual-phase steel treatment currently used in industry, as well as with variants that combine thermal cycling and fast heating, the latter offering potential for carbon-free methods. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the transformations that occur in the material and the potential benefits that may result. Characterization was performed using dilatometry, electron microscopy techniques, and Vickers hardness testing. Findings show the initial ferrite–martensite microstructure remained largely unchanged after cycling, though preferential austenite nucleation within ferrite and Mn segregation remained. The resulting microstructure consisted of ferrite, bainite, martensite, and retained austenite. Crystallographic orientation analysis revealed texture memory effects, with preferred orientations persisting after multiple cycles. Grain refinement occurred mainly in transformed zones, while ferrite showed slight growth with more cycles, correlating with a reduced bainite/martensite fraction. Hardness increased significantly after the first cycle but declined with subsequent cycles, reflecting a reduction in bainite/martensite fraction. It is found that when up to two cycles are used, the process can be beneficial for the steel properties; otherwise, other alternatives, such as fast heating, can be applied to optimize production.