The quenching-partitioning-tempering (Q-P-T) process, based on the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) treatment, has been proposed for producing high strength steels containing significant fraction of film-like retained austenite and controlled amount of fine martensite laths. In this study, a set of Q-P-T processes for C-Mn-Si-Ni-Nb hot rolled plates are designed and realized. The steels with Q-P-T processes present a combination of high strength and relatively good ductility. The origin of such mechanical properties is revealed by microstructure characterization. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.