A STUDY ON THE INITIAL CARBIDES FORMED DURING ISOTHERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF AUSTENITE IN CHROMIUM STEEL

Carbides formed initially during isothermal decomposition of austenite in sevenchromium steels have been studied by X-ray diffraction method. The relationshipsexisting between Cr/C ratio and types of initial carbides formed have been con-firmed and re-explained by a new concept. It was also found that the carbidesforming process is dependent on the decomposition temperature of austenite. Withdifferent Cr/C ratios and decomposition temperatures, the types of the initialcarbides formed are different. Transition regions possibly exist between any twoadjacent single phase regions in all diagrams.