Understanding ferrite deformation caused by austenite to martensite transformation in dual phase steels

During the production of DP steels, the volume expansion and shape change accompanying the austenite to martensite transformation is accommodated by the deformation of surrounding ferrite grains. The extent of the deformation in ferrite grains ultimately affects the mechanical properties of DP steels. Using electron backscatter diffraction...

Microstructural evolution of white and brown etching layers in pearlitic rail steels

The formation of White (WEL) and Brown Etching Layers (BEL) on rail raceways during service causes the initiation of microcracks which finally leads to failure. Detailed characterization of the WEL and the BEL in a pearlitic rail steel is carried out from micrometer to atomic scale to understand their microstructural evolution. A...

Measuring plasticity with orientation contrast microscopy in aluminium 6061-T4

Orientation contrast microscopy (i.e., electron backscattered diffraction, EBSD) was employed to monitor the plastic strain in loaded tensile samples of aluminium alloy Al6061 in T4 condition. The kernel average misorientation (KAM) is known to be an appropriate parameter in orientation contrast microscopy which has the potential to characterise...

Orientation dependence of the martensite transformation in a quenched and partitioned steel subjected to uniaxial tension

The orientation dependence of the austenite-to-martensite transformation during uniaxial tensile testing was modelled using the phenomenological theory of martensite crystallography and the mechanical driving force. It was validated experimentally by means of electron backscatter diffraction measurements on a pre-defined zone of a quenched and...

Deformation-induced austenite grain rotation and transformation in TRIP-assisted steel

Uniaxial straining experiments were performed on a rolled and annealed Si-alloyed TRIP (transformation-induced plasticity) steel sheet in order to assess the role of its microstructure on the mechanical stability of austenite grains with respect to martensitic transformation. The transformation behavior of individual metastable austenite grains...