Effect of Carbon Partitioning and Residual Compressive Stresses on the Lattice Strains of Retained Austenite During Quenching and Isothermal Bainitic Holding in a High‐Silicon Medium‐Carbon Steel

The residual compressive stresses and dimensional changes related to the lattice strains of retained austenite (RA) phase in a high-Si, medium-carbon steel (Fe-0.53C-1.67Si-0.72Mn-0.12Cr) are investigated for samples austenitized quenched isothermal bainitic transformation (Q&B) range 5 s 1 h at 350 °C. Also, directly water (DWQ) from austenitization temperature comparison with Q&B samples. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) combined backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses, X-ray used investigate microstructural evolution, distribution, parameters RA phase. While showed formation bainite high-carbon fresh martensite conjunction stabilization various fractions RA, DWQ displayed nearly complete martensitic microstructure. For short holding durations (≪200 s), there was limited inadequate carbon partitioning adjacent untransformed areas resulted significant associated c/a ratio high within While, long times (≫ 200 bainite. maximum strain small fraction