Abstract
The powerful effect that varying the extent of niobium-carbide dissolution has on the “hardenability” of microalloyed austenite is demonstrated using dilatometric measurement of the critical cooling rate required to from microstructures containing >95 Pct martensite. The results can be rationalized on the hypothesis that the hardenability of austenite is enhanced by niobium in solid solution, possibly by its segregation to austenite grain boundaries, but is decreased by precipitation of niobium-carbide particles. This effect appears analogous to that of boron in steels and is found to be independent of variations in the austenite grain size.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
K.E. Easterling:Mathematical Modelling of Weld Phenomena, H. Cerjak and K.E. Easterling, eds., Institute of Materials, London, 1993, pp. 183–200.
M.F. Ashby and K.E. Easterling:Acta Metall., 1984, vol. 32, pp. 1935–48.
W.-B. Li, M.F. Ashby, and K.E. Easterling:Acta Metall., 1986, vol. 34, pp. 1533–43.
J. Strid, M.F. Ashby, and K.E. Easterling:Acta Metall., 1985, vol. 33, pp. 2057–74.
M.F. Ashby and K.E. Easterling:Acta Metall., 1982, vol. 30, pp. 1969–78.
G.T. Eldis and W.C. Hage:Hardenability Concepts with Application to Steels, TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1978, pp. 297–420.
D. Webster and J.H. Woodhead:J. Iron Steel Inst., 1964, vol. 202, pp. 987–94.
W.B. Morrison:J. Iron Steel Inst., 1963, vol. 201, pp. 317–25.
G.L. Fisher and R.H. Geils:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1969, vol. 245, pp. 2405–12.
M.H. Thomas and G.M. Michal:Solid-Solid Phase Transformations, H.I. Aaronson, D.E. Laughlin, R.F. Sekerka, and C.M. Wayman, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1981, pp. 469–73.
T. Maurickx: Ph.D. Thesis, University of Lille, Lille, France, 1987.
B. Sundmann, B. Jansson, and J. Anderson:CALPHAD, 1985, vol. 9, p. 153.
C. Perdrix, B. Chamont, E. Amoris, and H. Biausser:IRSID Report, No. RE 88.322, July 1988.
French Standard NF A 04-102, “Produits Sidèrurgiques,” Catalogue AFNOR, Paris, 1994.
J.S. Kirkaldy, B.A. Thomson, and E.A. Baganis:Hardenability Concepts with Applications to Steels, TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1978, pp. 82–125.
F.R. de Boer, R. Boom, W.C.M. Mattens, A.R. Miedema, and A.K. Niessen:Cohesion in Metals, Elsevier Science Publishers, New York, NY, 1988, pp. 219 and 385.
E.A. Simielli, S. Yue, and J.J. Jonas:Metall. Trans. A, 1992, vol. 23A, pp. 597–608.
J.J. Jonas and M.G. Akben:Met. Forum, 1981, vol. 4, pp. 92–101.
S. Yamamoto, C. Ouchi, and T. Osuka:Thermomechanical Processing of Microalloyed Austenite, A.J. DeArdo, G.A. Ratz, and P.J. Wray, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA 1982, pp. 613-39.
M.A. Miodownick and J.W. Martin:J. Mater. Sci. Lett., 1993, vol. 12, pp. 834–35.
K.C. Russel:Acta Metall., 1969, vol. 17, pp. 1123–1131.
W.T. Nachtrab and Y.T. Chou:Metall. Trans. A, 1986, vol. 17A, p. 1995.
R.R. de Avillez: Niobium Technical Report, NbTR, 01/82, CBMM, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1982.
J.R. Bradley and H.I. Aaronson:Metall. Trans. A, 1981, vol. 12A, p. 1729.
H.K.D.H. Bhadeshia and A.R. Waugh:Solid-Solid Phase Transformations, TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA 1981, pp. 993–98.
H.K.D.H. Bhadeshia:Met. Sci., 1982, vol. 16, pp. 159–65.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fossaert, C., Rees, G., Maurickx, T. et al. The effect of niobium on the hardenability of microalloyed austenite. Metall Mater Trans A 26, 21–30 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02669791
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02669791