Influence of a 2-D defect on the partitioning during the formation of a cementite particle in steels

• Cementite particle analysed by APT during the tempering of cold rolled martensite.
• Particle with local partitionning of Mn, Cr and B.
• Modification of the local equilibrium due to the presence of a 2D defect.
• Simulation of the diffusion controlled reaction of cementite growth.

The spatial distribution of alloying elements in a cementite particle is analysed by Atom Probe Tomography (APT) during the tempering of a ferrite + martensite cold rolled microstructure. The local equilibrium conditions of formation of the cementite particle are at the origin of a strong enrichment in Manganese, Chromium and Boron. The presence of a 2-D defect such as a grain boundary modifies these local conditions and increases the enrichment. The diffusion controlled reaction of cementite growth is simulated with DICTRA software.

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