Martensite lattice changes during tempering

Abstract

An X-ray diffractometer study of martensite formed in an 18 wt pct nickel, 0.98 wt pct carbon austenite single crystal yields the shapes, positions, and integrated intensities of 200, 020, and 002 peaks. Martensite, which forms below − 60 °C, was tempered at successively higher temperatures from −45 to 450 °C. The results show that after subambient aging, during which C atoms in c-oriented octahedral sites have clustered, carbide precipitation starts and small regions (∼30Å in the [001]) with negative tetragonality appear. Upon subsequent tempering these are augmented by larger regions which have small positive tetragonality. In this process the “c” lattice parameter changes markedly but the “a” and “b” lattice parameter increase very little. These results indicate the formation of carbon depleted martensite which is coherently strained by the carbide particles. At and just above 100 °C the 200, 020, and 002 peaks all become doublets as the martensite matrix discontinuously breaks free of coherency and becomes highly imperfect ferrite. This change also occurs during the so-called “first stage of tempering.” Further tempering decreases the defect content of this ferrite. The lattice of the martensite is extensively reoriented during tempering just above room temperature. These reorientations probably accommodate the lattice parameter changes described above and may be carried out by movement of twin boundaries.