ANTIMONY GRAIN BOUNDARY SEGREGATION AND ITS SUPPRESSION BY CERIUM IN Fe-2%Mn-Sb STRUCTURAL STEELS
ANTIMONY GRAIN BOUNDARY SEGREGATION AND ITS SUPPRESSION BY CERIUM IN Fe—2Mn—Sb STRUCTURAL STEELS

Antimony grain boundary segregation in Fe-2%Mn-Sb structure steels has been studied through measurements of the ductile-brittle transition temperature in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The research result reveals that during tempering or ageing after quenching at 980C, Sb segregates to grain boundaries with both equilibrium and nonequilibrium natures and brings about temper embrittlement in the steels. Cerium can relieve temper embrittlement of the steels and its segregation to grain boundaries -05 play an important role in reducing this embrittlement.