Tempering-induced crystallographic and microstructural evolution in eutectoid steel
摘要
Tempering-induced crystallographic and microstructural evolution in a eutectoid steel was examined by dilatometry, SEM-BSE, EBSD, and TEM (BF/DF with SAED) after ex situ treatments at 250 °C/120 min and 350 °C/30 min. Dilatometry defined tempering windows; EBSD quantified boundaries, texture, KAM/GND; and TEM resolved precipitate identity and matrix–carbide orientation relationships. At 250 °C, coherent to semi-coherent Fe₂C forms intralath and refines the martensitic matrix. At 350 °C, Fe₃C emerges with higher interfacial misfit, boundary decoration, and increased dislocation pinning. The HAB fraction rises, grains coarsen modestly, and texture reorients from < 110 > / < 013 > toward < 012 > , consistent with recovery and subgrain rotation. Schmid/Taylor analyses indicate a shift from homogeneous intralath strengthening to boundary-controlled slip partitioning. The combined evidence establishes trap-limited carbon redistribution as the driver for Fe₂C → Fe₃C evolution and links interface coherency to anisotropy and property trends.
Graphical Abstract