Martensitic transformation and stress partitioning in a high-carbon steel

Martensitic transformation in a high-carbon steel was investigated with (synchrotron) X-ray diffraction at sub-zero Celsius temperature. In situ angular X-ray diffraction was applied to: (i) quantitatively determine the fractions of retained austenite and martensite; and (ii) measure the evolution of the lattice strain in retained austenite. Ex situ (synchrotron) energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction was performed to assess the effects of the martensitic transformation on the development of stresses in austenite. (C) 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.