Structure-properties relationship in TRIP steels containing carbide-free bainite

The purpose of the present contribution is to review the current knowledge about the relationship between the micro-structure of cold rolled intercritically annealed low alloy TRIP-aided sheet steels and their mechanical properties from a materials engineering point of view. The focus is on their production in existing industrial lines and on their application in the manufacture of passenger cars with a body-in-white which offers an improved passive safety. The review aims to make clear that although low alloy TRIP-aided sheet steel is by now starting to be an established structural material in BIW manufacturing, there is still room for the further optimization of the composition and the processing. In addition, there are still a number of problems related to their physical metallurgy that require a better fundamental understanding. (c) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.