Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of boron on the decomposition of austenite in low carbon alloyed steels

  • Published:
Metallurgical Transactions A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The influence of boron on the isothermal decomposition of Fe-Ni6-C0.12 (wt pct) steels has been investigated. The isothermal γ→ pro-eutectoid ferrite reaction was studied by quantitative metallography and dilatometry. It was clearly shown that boron slows down considerably the nucleation rate of ferrite on γ-grain boundaries. End-quench experiments performed on C0.18-Cr-Mn industrial steels emphasized the changes in hardenability with thermal history.

Particular attention was devoted to the study of the state and location of boron in the microstructure of the steels studied. Ion microscopy, alphagraphy and transmission electron microscopy were used to this effect. It was confirmed that boron segregates easily to γ-grain boundaries during cooling, which results in the precipitation of iron boro-carbides. This precipitation was shown to occur both in stable and metastable austenite, prior to the γ → pro-eutectoid ferrite reaction. The precipitates were identified as Fe23(B, C)6 (FCC structure with a ≈ 10.6Å). The grain boundary Fe23(B, C)6 were shown to have a parallel cube-cube orientation relationship with one of the neighboring grains. The role of the Fe23(B, C)6 precipitates with respect to the γ → proeutectoid ferrite reaction is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. A. Grange and T. M. Garvey:Trans. ASM, 1946, vol. 37, p. 136.

    Google Scholar 

  2. T. H. Spencer:Metal Prog., Nov. 1966, p. 76.

  3. G. F. Melloy and J. Russ:Metal Prog., Nov. 1966, p. 83.

  4. J. M. Calkins and A. Dennis:Electric Furnace Proc. AIME, 1969, vol. 27, p. 71.

    Google Scholar 

  5. G. F. Melloy: Bethlehem Steel Co., Bethlehem, Pa. Communication no. 263 presented at the TMS-AIME Meeting, Chicago, Oct. 1973.

  6. R. Simcoe, A. R. Elsea, and G. K. Manning:Trans. AIME, 1955, vol. 203, p. 193 and Trans. AIME, 1956, vol. 206, p. 984.

    Google Scholar 

  7. K. J. Irvine, F. B. Pickering, W. Heselwood, and M. Atkins:J. Iron Steel Inst., 1957, vol. 186, p. 54.

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. Fisher:Trans. AIME, 1954, vol. 200, p. 1146.

    Google Scholar 

  9. R. Tricot, B. Champin, and D. Thivellier:Rev. Met., 1972, vol. 69, p. 121.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. D. Hughes and G. T. Rogers:J. Inst. Metals, 1967, vol. 95, p. 299.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. J. S. Armijo and H. S. Rosenbaum:J. Appl. Phys., 1967, vol. 38, p. 2064.

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. S. Kawasaki, A. Hishinuma, and R. Nagasaki:J. Nucl. Mater., 1971, vol. 39, p. 166.

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. J. D. Hughes, M. A. Dewey, and G. W. Briers:Nature, Aug. 1969, vol. 223, p. 498.

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. R. Castaing: Comptes rendus du IVè Congrès International sur l’Optique des Rayons X et la Microanalyse. Herman, Paris, p. 48, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  15. G. Slodzian:Rev. Phys. Appl., 1968, vol. 3, p. 360.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Ph. Maitrepierre and R. Tixier: IRSID Internal Report RI 168, June 1971.

  17. R. A. Grange and J. B. Mitchell:Trans. ASM, 1961, vol. 53, p. 157.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. G. Carroll, L. S. Darken, E. W. Filer, and L. Zwell:Nature, Nov. 1954, vol. 174, p. 978.

    Article  CAS  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Y. Ohmori:Trans. I.S.I. Jap., 1971, vol. 11, p. 339.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. G. F. Melloy, P. R. Slimmon, and P. P. Podgursky:Met. Trans., 1973, vol. 4, p. 2279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. M. H. Lewis and B. Hattersly:Acta Met., 1965, vol. 13, p. 1159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. L. K. Singhal and J. W. Martin:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1968, vol. 242, p. 814.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. G. Kurdjumov and G. Sachs:Z. Physik, 1930, vol. 64, p. 325.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. A. Dubé: Ph.D. Thesis, Carnegie Institute of Technology, 1948.

  25. H. I. Aaronson:Decomposition of Austenite by Diffusional Processes, p. 387, Interscience Publishers, New York, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Ph. Maitrepierre: IRSID, France, unpublished research.

  27. Ph. Maitrepierre, D. Thivellier, and R. Tricot:Mém. Sci. Rev. Mét., 1973, vol. 70, p. 893.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. S. Wakamatsu:Tetsu to Hagané, 1970, vol. 56, p. 136.

    Google Scholar 

  29. D. Henriet: IRSID, France, private communication.

  30. C.C. McBride, J. W. Spretnak, and R. Speiser:Trans. ASM, 1954, vol. 46, p. 499.

    Google Scholar 

  31. M. E. Nicholson:Trans. AIME, 1954, vol. 200, p. 185.

    Google Scholar 

  32. P. E. Busby, M. E. Wrga, and Wells:Trans. AIME, 1953, vol. 197, p. 1463.

    Google Scholar 

  33. G. M. Leak:Metal Treat. and Drop Forging, Jan. 1956, p. 21.

  34. G. Henry, B. Thomas, and R. Tixier: Proc. of the 3rd International Conference on the Strength of Metals and Alloys, Cambridge, England, August 1973, p. 568.

  35. J. Davidson, P. Balladon, Y. Honnorat, and X. Wache:Mém. Sci. Rev. Mét., 1973, vol. 70, p. 543.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. S. R. Keown:Scand. J. Metall., 1973, vol. 2, p. 59.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. M. Ueno and T. Inoue:Trans. I.S.I. Jap., 1973, vol. 13, p. 210.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. D. Dulieu and J. J. Irani:J. Iron Steel Inst., 1969, vol. 207, p. 308.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. P. Coldren: Climax Molybdenum Company, Ann Arbor, Mich. Private communication.

  40. M. Lucco-Borlera and G. Pradelli:Metall. Ital., 1967, no. 11, p. 907.

  41. M. Lucco-BorleraandG.Pradelli:Metall. Ifal., 1968, no. 2, p. 140.

    Google Scholar 

  42. G. R. Kegg and J. M. Silcock:Scripta. Met., 1972, vol. 6, p. 1083.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. P. H. Pumphrey and J. W. Edington:Acta Met., 1974, vol. 22, p. 89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. K. N. Tu and D. Tumbull:Acta Met., 1967, vol. 15, p. 1317.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. H. I. Aaronson and H. B. Aaron:Met. Trans., 1972, vol. 3, p. 2743.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. R. C. Sharma and G. R. Purdy:Met. Trans., 1973, vol. 4, p. 2303.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. R. B. Nicholson:Phase Transformations, p. 269, American Society for Metals, Metals Park, Ohio, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  48. R. A. Grange and H. R. Hribal: USS Technical Report 40.061-010 (1), June 1972.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Groupe Métallurgie Physique, Institut de Recherches de la Sidérurgie Française (IRSID), 78104, Saint Germain en Laye, France

    Ph. Maitrepierre (Research Engineer)

  2. Centre de Recherches d’Ugine-Aciers, 73400, Ugine, France

    D. Thivellier (Research Engineer) & R. Tricot (Director)

Authors
  1. Ph. Maitrepierre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Thivellier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Tricot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Maitrepierre, P., Thivellier, D. & Tricot, R. Influence of boron on the decomposition of austenite in low carbon alloyed steels. Metall Trans A 6, 287 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02667283

Download citation

  • Received:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02667283

Keywords

Search

Navigation