ATOM-PROBE AND STEM STUDIES OF CARBIDE PRECIPITATION IN 2-1/4 CR1MO STEEL

R. C. Thomson and H. K. D. H. Bhadeshia
University of Cambridge


Abstract

Changes in the chemical composition of cementite particles which initially form by a para-equilibrium transformation mechanism are studied using atom probe and scanning transmission electron microscope techniques as a function of tempering heat treatments. Consistent with our theoretical predictions, the enrichment of the substitutional solutes in the carbide at the carbide/matrix interface is not observed to reach the levels required for local equilibrium at the interface. Very small clusters of molybdenum and carbon atoms are found in the ferrite matrix at the early stages of tempering, although more work is needed to verify this observation.

APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE, 1993, Vol.67, No.1-4, pp.334-341

Some of the computer programs associated with this paper can be obtained from the Materials Algorithms Project