Abstract: In the automobile industry, stamping and paint baking processes are used to strengthen components, and this not only saves costs, but also further reduces the bodyweight of automobiles. In this work, the bake hardening mechanism of the complex phase (CP) steel CP980 was explored by comparing it with that of DP1180, which has a clear bake hardening mechanism and a carbon content similar to that of CP980. By analyzing the bake hardening response and the microstructural changes of the two steels, we found that the bake hardening process of CP980 was divided into three stages. In the first two stages, the carbon atoms diffused into dislocations to form Cottrell atmosphere pinning dislocations, and excess carbon atoms formed carbon clusters or low-temperature carbide pinning dislocations that were similar to DP1180. In the third stage, the dislocation acted as rapid channels for carbon diffusion, and fine cementite gradually formed when the carbon clusters gathered at the dislocations as precursors, resulting in precipitation hardening. This novel bake-hardening (BH) mechanism is crucial for obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the strain-baking behavior of advanced high-strength steals (AHSS).

Key words: Age hardening, Bainitic steel, Carbon diffusion, Cementite, Mechanical property, Automotive weight reduction