Controlling carbide precipitation during tempering in Fe-C martensitic alloys through Mn distribution and martensitic lath width

TY - JOUR

T1 - Controlling carbide precipitation during tempering in Fe-C martensitic alloys through Mn distribution and martensitic lath width

AU - Xiong, Zhiping

AU - Chen, Qi

AU - Chen, Chen

AU - Yang, Dezhen

AU - Zhang, Hao

AU - Hou, Ziyong

AU - Pereloma, Elena

AU - Cheng, Xingwang

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 Acta Materialia Inc.

PY - 2026/5/1

Y1 - 2026/5/1

N2 - The supersaturated carbon atoms in Fe-C martensitic matrix diffuse out to form clusters, transition carbides and cementite when tempering temperature increases. It has been recently found that heterogeneous Mn distribution in retained austenite (RA) and martensite can fully inhibit the carbide precipitation in lath martensite. However, it is still unclear how to control the carbide precipitation in lath martensite during tempering. Both experimental results and DICTRA simulations in the present study indicate that when the width of martensitic lath decreases and the Mn content increases in the RA adjacent to the martensite, the carbide precipitation can be reduced and even fully inhibited. The former factor is due to the shorter diffusion distance for carbon from martensite to adjacent RA with refinement of martensite laths, whereas a higher Mn content in the RA enhances the diffusion of carbon. This outcome provides an avenue for design of the advanced high-strength steels through controlling carbide formation during tempering.

AB - The supersaturated carbon atoms in Fe-C martensitic matrix diffuse out to form clusters, transition carbides and cementite when tempering temperature increases. It has been recently found that heterogeneous Mn distribution in retained austenite (RA) and martensite can fully inhibit the carbide precipitation in lath martensite. However, it is still unclear how to control the carbide precipitation in lath martensite during tempering. Both experimental results and DICTRA simulations in the present study indicate that when the width of martensitic lath decreases and the Mn content increases in the RA adjacent to the martensite, the carbide precipitation can be reduced and even fully inhibited. The former factor is due to the shorter diffusion distance for carbon from martensite to adjacent RA with refinement of martensite laths, whereas a higher Mn content in the RA enhances the diffusion of carbon. This outcome provides an avenue for design of the advanced high-strength steels through controlling carbide formation during tempering.

KW - Carbides

KW - Carbon

KW - Manganese

KW - Martensite

KW - Tempering

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031435339

U2 - 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2026.117252

DO - 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2026.117252

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105031435339

SN - 1359-6462

VL - 277

JO - Scripta Materialia

JF - Scripta Materialia

M1 - 117252

ER -