Quantitative investigation into the influence of temperature on carbide and austenite evolution during partitioning of a quenched and partitioned steel

The influence of partitioning temperature on microstructural evolution during quenching and partitioning was investigated in a 0.38C1.54Mn1.48Si wt.% steel using Mössbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. η-carbide formation occurs in the martensite during the quenching, holding, and partitioning steps. More effective carbon partitioning from martensite to austenite was observed at 450 than 400 °C, resulting in lower martensite carbon contents, less carbide formation, and greater retained austenite amounts for short partitioning times. Conversely, greater austenite decomposition occurs at 450 °C for longer partitioning times. Cementite forms during austenite decomposition and in the martensite for longer partitioning times at 450 °C.

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