Microstructural characterization of warm rolled Cr-containing low carbon steel

Transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography (APT) were used to study carbide formation, solute clustering and solute segregation to dislocations in a warm rolled low carbon steel containing a Cr addition. It was shown that formation of Cr carbides in addition to iron carbide leads to the solute C depletion of the matrix. The presence of fine C–Fe–Cr clusters in the matrix and Cottrell atmospheres was also detected by atom probe tomography.