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Influence of Martensite Fraction on the Stabilization of Austenite in Austenitic–Martensitic Stainless Steels

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Abstract

The influence of martensite fraction (f α′) on the stabilization of austenite was studied by quench interruption below M s temperature of an Fe-13Cr-0.31C (mass pct) stainless steel. The interval between the quench interruption temperature and the secondary martensite start temperature, denoted as θ, was used to quantify the extent of austenite stabilization. In experiments with and without a reheating step subsequent to quench interruption, the variation of θ with f α′ showed a transition after transformation of almost half of the austenite. This trend was observed regardless of the solution annealing temperature which influenced the martensite start temperature. The transition in θ was ascribed to a change in the type of martensite nucleation sites from austenite grain and twin boundaries at low f α′ to the faults near austenite–martensite (A–M) boundaries at high f α′. At low temperatures, the local carbon enrichment of such boundaries was responsible for the enhanced stabilization at high f α′. At high temperatures, relevant to the quenching and partitioning processing, on the other hand, the pronounced stabilization at high f α′ was attributed to the uniform partitioning of the carbon stored at A–M boundaries into the austenite. Reduction in the fault density of austenite served as an auxiliary stabilization mechanism at high temperatures.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of German Research Foundation (DFG) under Grant Number MO 2580/1-1 is gratefully acknowledged. The authors would also like to thank Mr. Gerhard Schreiber for the XRD measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Iron and Steel Technology, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Leipziger St. 34, 09599, Freiberg, Germany

    Qiuliang Huang (Graduate Student) & Javad Mola (Scientific Assistant)

  2. Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 790-784, South Korea

    Bruno C. De Cooman (Professor)

  3. Institute of Materials Engineering, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599, Freiberg, Germany

    Horst Biermann (Professor)

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  1. Qiuliang Huang
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Correspondence to Javad Mola.

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Manuscript submitted May 7, 2015.

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Huang, Q., De Cooman, B.C., Biermann, H. et al. Influence of Martensite Fraction on the Stabilization of Austenite in Austenitic–Martensitic Stainless Steels. Metall Mater Trans A 47, 1947–1959 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-016-3382-1

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