Formation of a two-phase microstructure in Fe–Cr–Ni alloy during directional solidification

The formation and evolution of a two-phase coupled growth microstructure in AISI 304 stainless steel are investigated using a quenching method during directional solidification. It is found that the two-phase microstructure, which is composed of coupled growth of thin lathy delta ferrite (δ) and austenite (γ), forms from the melt first during solidification. As solidification proceeds, the retained liquid transforms into austenite directly. On cooling, the subsequent incomplete solid-state transformation from ferrite to austenite results in the disappearance of the thinner lathy delta ferrite, and the final two-phase coupled growth microstructure is formed. The formation mechanism of the two-phase coupled growth microstructure is analyzed theoretically based on the nucleation and constitutional undercooling (NCU) criterion. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and EDS analyses were carried out to identify the phases and determine the phase composition, respectively.