Carbon partitioning to austenite from martensite or bainite during the quench and partition (Q&P) process: A critical assessment

✍ Scribed by A.J. Clarke; J.G. Speer; M.K. Miller; R.E. Hackenberg; D.V. Edmonds; D.K. Matlock; F.C. Rizzo; K.D. Clarke; E. De Moor

• Book ID: 103998323
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 694 KB
• Volume: 56
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1359-6454
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2007.08.051

✦ Synopsis

The goal of the quench and partition (Q&P) process for steel heat treatment is to enrich austenite with carbon during a partitioning treatment after initial quenching below the martensite start temperature (M s ). Two proposed mechanisms for austenite carbon enrichment during partitioning include carbon transport from martensite and/or the formation of carbide-free bainite. Theoretical calculations show experimentally measured austenite fractions are difficult to explain based upon a mechanism involving solely bainite formation. Carbon partitioning from martensite provides a more satisfactory explanation, although the formation of bainite during partitioning cannot be completely excluded.