Enhanced Thermal Stability in Nanostructured Bainitic Steel
C. N. Hulme-Smith, I. Lonardelli, M. J. Peet, A. C. Dippel and H. K. D. H. Bhadeshia
Scripta Materialia, Vol. 69, No. 2 (2013) 191-194
DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2013.03.029
Abstract
We report an attempt at increasing the thermal stability of nanocrystalline bainite to tempering heat-treatments, by enhancing the silicon concentration of the alloy. Validation experiments have been conducted using synchrotron X-radiation during tempering heat treatment. It is found that the change in alloying successfully stabilises the austenite at elevated temperatures by retarding cementite formation to temperatures as high as 500°C. Other changes reflected in the lattice parameters of the major phases have revealed further information about the mechanisms involved.