Atomic force microscopy applied to the quantification of nano-precipitates in thermo-mechanically treated microalloyed steels

► We quantified nanometric precipitates in Nb and V-Mo microalloyed steels using AFM. ► Microstructures of the thermo-mechanically treated microalloyed steels were used. ► Topography and phase contrast AFM images were used for quantification. ► AFM results are comparable with traditionally obtained TEM measurements.