Abstract
Correlative atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to characterise the microstructure and chemistry of carbide precipitation in M50 bearing steel. This is a prerequisite in establishing relationships between the microstructure and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) resistance. Secondary carbides are the focus of this study, as they play a major role in improving HE-resistance. Secondary carbides are observed in APT, with compositions close to M4C3, M2C and M3C. Correlative TEM measured orientation relationships between the martensite matrix and carbides, enabling the confirmation of M3C cementite precipitates in the corresponding APT reconstruction. Additionally, other precipitates observed in TEM were correlated to the M2C carbides in APT data. The M4C3 carbides are found to have a significantly lower volume fraction than the M2C carbides.
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