Tempering of Martensite and Subsequent Redistribution of Cr, Mn, Ni, Mo, and Si Between Cementite and Martensite Studied by Magnetic Measurements

Tempering reactions in ternary Fe-2M-0.7C steels (M=Cr, Ni, Mn, Mo, and Si) were studied by correlative dilatometry and magnetic measurements at room temperature. Magnetic measurements were conducted after tempering at progressively higher temperatures. Based on the magnitude of demagnetization in the temperature range associated with the tempering stage I contraction, Mn- and Si-added steels formed the largest and smallest fractions of transition carbides, respectively. Estimation of the magnetization of paraequilibrium cementite indicated that Cr, Mn, and Mo reduced the magnetization while Ni increased it. In the presence of Si, the decomposition of retained austenite and cementite formation were shifted to higher temperatures. At temperatures above approximately 723 K (450 °C), the enrichment of cementite with Mn and Cr significantly reduced the total magnetization. In the Mo-added steel, on the other hand, the magnetization slightly increased implying the formation of ferromagnetic Mo-rich carbides. For the Ni- and Si-added steels, the magnetization remained almost constant indicating minimal redistribution of Ni and Si subsequent to the formation of cementite. The possibility of analyzing the latter redistribution is one of the main advantages of sequential tempering and magnetic measurements at room temperature compared to in situ thermomagnetic measurements.