Abstract
We have studied the decomposition kinetics of the metastable austenite phase present in quenched-and-tempered SAE 52100 steel by in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments at elevated temperatures of 200-235 °C under a constant tensile stress. We have observed a continuous decomposition of austenite into ferrite and cementite. The decomposition kinetics is controlled by the long-range diffusion of carbon atoms into the austenite ahead of the moving austenite/ferrite interface. The presence of a tensile stress of 295 MPa favours the carbon diffusion in the remaining austenite, so that the activation energy for the overall process decreases from 138-148 to 82-104 kJ mol-1. Before the austenite starts to decompose, a significant amount of carbon atoms partition from the surrounding martensite phase into the metastable austenite grains. This carbon partitioning takes place simultaneously with the carbide precipitation due to the over-tempering of the martensite phase. As the austenite decomposition proceeds gradually at a constant temperature and stress, the elastic strain in the remaining austenite grains continuously decreases. Consequently, the remaining austenite grains act as a reinforcement of the ferritic matrix at longer isothermal holding times. The texture evolution in the constituent phases reflects both significant grain rotations and crystal orientation relationships between the parent austenite phase and the newly formed ferritic grains.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1154-1166 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Acta Materialia |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2013 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We acknowledge the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility for provision of synchrotron radiation facilities. This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, applied science division of NWO and the Technology Program of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Romain Blondé acknowledges the support of the Materials innovation institute M2i (www.m2i.nl) under the Project Number M41.5.08313 of the research programme.
Keywords
- Austenite
- Carbon diffusion
- Phase transformation kinetics
- SAE 52100 steel
- Synchrotron diffraction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Ceramics and Composites
- Polymers and Plastics
- Metals and Alloys