{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]],"date-time":"2026-03-10T04:31:30Z","timestamp":1773117090818,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]],"date-time":"2026-03-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773014400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Materials"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study systematically investigates the influence of quenching (850\u2013910 \u00b0C) and tempering (160\u2013280 \u00b0C) temperatures on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of a novel low-alloy ultra-high-strength martensitic steel (UHSMS). Comprehensive microstructural characterization combined with mechanical testing demonstrates that quenching at 880 \u00b0C results in the finest martensitic laths and the highest dislocation density, leading to an excellent strength\u2013toughness balance. Subsequent tempering treatments reveal that the specimen tempered at 200 \u00b0C achieves an optimal combination of properties, with a yield strength of 1517 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 2017 MPa, elongation of 10.4%, and impact toughness of 80.3 J\/cm2. This optimum is mechanistically linked to a cooperative effect where the fine tempered martensitic structure and stable film-like retained austenite (RA) enhance toughness and ductility, while the nano-scale precipitates (forming during the \u03b5\u2192\u03b8 carbide transition) simultaneously provide substantial precipitation strengthening, thereby minimizing the strength sacrifice typically associated with improved toughness. Furthermore, the 200 \u00b0C tempered specimen exhibits the largest shear lip on the tensile fracture surface and the maximum dimple size on the impact fracture surface, indicative of a high plastic strain capacity and excellent crack propagation resistance.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ma19051046","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]],"date-time":"2026-03-09T15:49:42Z","timestamp":1773071382000},"page":"1046","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Effect of Quenching and Tempering Temperatures on the Microstructure and Properties of a New Low-Alloy Ultra-High-Strength Martensitic Steel"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"19","author":[{"given":"Mengmei","family":"Xu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Chunxu","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group, Beijing 100081, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4491-208X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yandong","family":"Sun","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group, Beijing 100081, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Shun","family":"Han","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group, Beijing 100081, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yuxian","family":"Cao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group, Beijing 100081, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-2017-4416","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Wuhua","family":"Yuan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"20","DOI":"10.1007\/BF03220942","article-title":"Ultrahigh-strength steels for aerospace applications","volume":"42","author":"Garrison","year":"1990","journal-title":"JOM"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"172","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmrt.2022.12.177","article-title":"Progress on improving strength-toughness of ultra-high strength martensitic steels for aerospace applications: A review","volume":"23","author":"Li","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. 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