Martensitic transformation and stress partitioning in a high-carbon steel

Martensitic transformation in a high-carbon steel was investigated with (synchrotron) X-ray diffraction at sub-zero Celsius temperature. In situ angular X-ray diffraction was applied to: (i) quantitatively determine the fractions of retained austenite and martensite; and (ii) measure the evolution of the lattice strain in retained austenite. Ex situ (synchrotron) energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction was performed to assess the effects of the martensitic transformation on the development of stresses in austenite.