Enhanced activity of austenite resulting from ultrasonic vibration in a low alloy case-hardened steel

Abstract

The retained austenite content of a quenched case of a low alloy steel was examined with and without ultrasonic vibrations. Results obtained are particularly promising and indicate the possibility of reducing the amount of retained austenite in a quenched case-carburized steel by ultrasonic treatment which is of considerable industrial importance. The activity of the austenite to form more martensite has been attributed to the increase in dislocation density and point defects which enhance the number of martensite nucleation sites on ultrasonic treatment.