Effect of thermal treatment on the evolution of delta ferrite was studied in 11Cr–3Co–2.3W steel. Ferrite-forming alloy elements promoted the formation of delta ferrite during thermo-mechanical processing. The results of JMatPro and chromium equivalent calculations indicated that 11Cr–3Co–2.3W steel partially contained delta ferrite. Cr and W were segregated in/around delta ferrite. Delta ferrite had a bamboo-type morphology and it contained MX-type carbonitrides inside and the Laves phase at the interface between delta ferrite and martensite. On annealing, delta ferrite dissolved especially during the early stage of annealing. After ageing at 600°C for 500 h, some Laves phases were observed in delta ferrite which is regarded as a favourable nucleation site. In the meantime, its precipitation resulted in the reduction of dissolved W and Mo in the matrix.

This study reports the welded joint of a novel 590 MPa V-N microalloyed wheel steel on microstructure and mechanical properties after flash butt welding. The welding parameters were flash current 48°/582.0 A, upsetting current 44°/516.6 A, and workpiece clearance 1.5 mm. The evolution of microstructure in the welded joint occurred as follows: welding seam (ferrite side plate + acicular ferrite +martensite)→coarse-grained zone (acicular ferrite + granular bainite)→fine-grained zone (fine-grained ferrite + M/A island)→base metal (equiaxed ferrite + pearlite). The standard impact energy value of welding seam, coarse grain zone, fine grain zone, and base metal at −40 °C was 116, 128, 144, and 88 J, respectively. The mechanical property of the joint was excellent. The microstructure, the number of grain boundaries, and the dislocation density directly affected the strength and hardness of the joint. The increase of large angle grain boundaries and the decrease of effective grain size were beneficial to the improvement of toughness. The hot-rolled 590 MPa V-N microalloyed wheel steel had superior weldability.