In this study,the three-windows method,the jump-ratio method and the R-map method in energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy(EFTEM) have been applied to mapping carbon distribution in 35SiMn steel after a quenching-partitioning treatment.The carbon contamination is successfully suppressed by using EFTEM and plasma-cleaning TEM samples.Compared to the three-windows method and the jump-ratio method,the R-map method provides carbon distribution with less noises,and is insensitive to changes in sample thickness.We have demonstrated that the R-map method is a better way for carbon mapping in middle-carbon steel without the influence of carbon contamination.
Mn distribution and austenite morphology at the early stage of intercritical annealing of 5Mn steel were investigated. It was experimentally demonstrated that a newly formed 20 nm-thick austenite was formed without the partitioning of Mn. The elemental analysis confirmed that the growth of austenite should be controlled by the diffusion of C prior to the diffusion of Mn at a low heating rate. The austenite growth started under negligible-partitioning local equilibrium mode and then switched to partitioning local equilibrium mode. Mn segregation at the γ/α interface suggested that the collector plate mechanism was the essential way of Mn partitioning at the early stage of austenite growth.
Xi-nan LUOXiao-yan ZHONGHai-wen LUOHui-hua ZHOUCun-yu WANGJie SHI
