Carbon Partitioning and Carbide Precipitation During Quenching and Partitioning Process of 12%Cr Martensitic Stainless Steel
摘要
Most research on Q&P heat treatments is limited to suppressed carbide precipitation models. This study investigates the carbon partitioning and carbide precipitation of Q&P stainless steel containing 12% chromium. According to the investigation conducted using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), precipitation of iron carbide was observed in the specimens partitioned at 450 °C. Analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that carbide precipitation occurred in the microstructure as partitioning temperature increased from 370 to 450 °C. The difference in hardness between samples partitioned at 370 and 450 °C was due to carbide precipitation during the partitioning of the sample at 450 °C and a more stable retained austenite (RA) at 370 °C. The RA percentage and austenite lattice parameter decreased as the partitioning temperature rose from 370 to 450 °C due to carbide precipitation, resulting in a reduction in carbon sources.