Electron Microscopic Study of hardenable Low Cr - Si Alloy Steel
성창모Chang Mo Sung, 이후철Hu Chul Lee, 김상주Sang Joo Kim
Abstract
The variations in tensile properties and volume fractions of retained austenite in three 0.27%C steels containing chromium and silicon during tempering following 900℃ oil quenching were investigated. Microscopic changes during tempering were also studied using transmission electron microscopy. Silicon raised the tensile strength of as quenched and tempered steels and delayed the decomposition of retained austenite up to 300℃. Chromium also delayed the decomposition of martensite, but the effect was far less significant than that of silicon. The yield stress of silicon containing steel was raised while the tensile stress was decreased with increased tempering temperature up to 400℃. This yield behavior was discussed in relation to the carbon clustering and the decomposition of retained austenite during tempering. Silicon not only delays the recovery and recrystallization of martensite but also refines the carbide particle size.