In-Situ Characterization by High-Energy X-ray Diffraction of the Phase Transformations Leading to Transformation-Induced Plasticity-Aided Bainitic Steel

The phase transformations occurring during the heat treatments leading to transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP)-aided bainitic steel have been investigated in-situ by high-energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD) conducted with synchrotron light at 90 keV. Direct microstructure characterization has been performed by electron microscopy using electron backscatter diffraction and orientation and phase mapping in a transmission electron microscope. HEXRD data allow the quantification of the evolution of the austenite phase fraction with the heat treatments, as well as its carbon content and the fraction of carbides, from the lattice parameter evolution. It is shown that different combinations of austenite fraction and carbon content can be reached by adjusting the heat treatment temperature. View Full-Tex