Impact of Hot Stamping Process Parameters on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 24Mn2CrNb Automotive Steel

doi:10.11901/1005.3093.2025.231

Chinese Journal of Materials Research

2026, Vol. 40

Issue (4): 263-273 DOI: 10.11901/1005.3093.2025.231

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Impact of Hot Stamping Process Parameters on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 24Mn2CrNb Automotive Steel

WANG Henglin¹, HUANG Wenjing², ZHU Guohui², DING Hanlin¹(

), WANG Zijian¹, XIANG Zhongchen¹

^1.School of Metallic Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
^2.School of Metallurgical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan 243032, China

Cite this article:

WANG Henglin, HUANG Wenjing, ZHU Guohui, DING Hanlin, WANG Zijian, XIANG Zhongchen. Impact of Hot Stamping Process Parameters on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 24Mn2CrNb Automotive Steel. Chinese Journal of Materials Research, 2026, 40(4): 263-273.

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Abstract

The effect of hot stamping process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 24Mn2CrNb automotive steel was studied, focusing on austenitizing temperatures at 860 ^oC, 890 ^oC, 910 ^oC, 930 ^oC, 860 ^oC, 890 ^oC, 910 ^oC, 930 ^oC and step quenching at 250 ^oC,450 ^oC. Results showed that with the increasing austenitizing temperature, the austenite grain size coarsened slowly. Optimal comprehensive mechanical properties that tensile strength of 1815 MPa, yield strength of 1377 MPa, elongation of 11.13%, and strength-ductility product of 20.20 GPa·% were achieved for the steel austenitizing at 930 ^oC. Step quenching simulations of hot stamping revealed the microstructural evolution of the steel that quenching at 250 ^oC produced refined lath martensite, while isothermal treatment at 450 ^oC produced bainite and martensite. The excellent properties of 24Mn2CrNb steel may originate from synergistic strengthening mechanisms involving grain refinement, dislocation and precipitates hardening. The steel demonstrated superior high-temperature oxidation resistance compared to 22MnB5 steel, with decarburization depth below 5 μm, it suitable for coating-free hot stamping applications.

Key words: metallic materials hot stamping high product of strength and elongation microstructure

Received: 18 July 2025

ZTFLH:

TG306

Fund: National Natural Science Foundation of China(52174367)

Corresponding Authors: DING Hanlin, Tel: 18896736263, E-mail: dinghanlin@suda.edu.cn

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	WANG Henglin
	HUANG Wenjing
	ZHU Guohui
	DING Hanlin
	WANG Zijian
	XIANG Zhongchen

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https://www.cjmr.org/EN/10.11901/1005.3093.2025.231 OR https://www.cjmr.org/EN/Y2026/V40/I4/263

Fig.1 Experimental steps of 24Mn2CrNb steel simulation hot forming process

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of the tensile test specimen for mechanical properties testing of 24Mn2CrNb steel (Unit: mm)

Fig.3 Microstructure of 24Mn2CrNb steel at different austenitizing temperatures (a) 860 ^oC, (b) 890 ^oC, (c) 910 ^oC, (d) 930 ^oC

Table 1 Mechanical properties of 24Mn2CrNb steel and 22MnB5 steel after heat treatment at different austenitizing temperatures

Fig.4 Microstructure of 24Mn2CrNb steel after quenching at different temperatures (a) 250 ^oC, (b) 450 ^oC

Table 2 Mechanical properties of 24Mn2CrNb steel by different quenching processes

Fig.5 Fracture SEM morphology of 24Mn2CrNb steel after quenching at different temperatures (a) 250 ^oC, (b) 450 ^oC

Fig.6 Microstructure of 24Mn2CrNb steel at different austenitizing temperatures (a) 860 ^oC, (b) 890 ^oC, (c) 910 ^oC, (d) 930 ^oC

Fig.7 IPF and KAM of 24Mn2CrNb steel by austenitizing temperature of 860 ^oC (a, b) and 930 ^oC (c, d)

Fig.8 TEM diagram of 24Mn2CrNb steel austenitizing at 930 ^oC

Fig.9 Particles distribution of 24Mn2CrNb steel austenitizing at different temperatures (a) 860 ^oC, (b) 890 ^oC, (c) 910 ^oC, (d)930 ^oC

Fig.10 Particles and EDS spectrum of 24Mn2CrNb steel austenitizing at 860 ^oC

Fig.11 TEM (a), HRTEM (b) and FFT (c) images of the particles of 24Mn2CrNb steel austenitizing at 930 ^oC

Fig.12 Relationship between the fraction of NbC particles in 24Mn2CrNb steel and temperatures

Fig.13 Comparison of isothermal oxidation weight gain behavior between 24Mn2CrNb steel and 22MnB5 steel in air at 930 ^oC

Fig.14 Microstructure of 22MnB5 steel after oxidation for different times in air at 930 ^oC (a) 5 min, (b) 10 min, (c) 30 min

Fig.14 Microstructure of 24Mn2CrNb steel after oxidation for different times in air at 930 ^oC (a) 5 min, (b) 10 min, (c) 30 min

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