Abstract
We describe here the effects of quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process on the evolution of microstructure and consequent changes in hardness in a set of medium-carbon and high-carbon steels containing varying percentage of chromium, manganese, and silicon, with the aim to advance our understanding of Q&P process. The study suggests that in medium-carbon steels, higher partitioning of carbon from martensite to retained austenite and stabilization of austenite occurs when martensite has a higher supersaturation of carbon after quenching, which is obtained at low quench temperature. Another important aspect that emerges from the study is that the transition ( ɛ) carbide decreases hardness and its formation is promoted in medium-carbon steels with higher silicon-content such that the precipitation occurs at lower temperature of 250 °C. However, in contrast to medium-carbon steels, the high chromium content in high-carbon steels has a negative impact on the Q&P process because of the formation of large cementite during the spheroidizing treatment that reduces the ability of austenite to be enriched with carbon. The decrease in hardness in high-carbon steels during partitioning is a cumulative effect of austenite stabilization, softening of martensite, and decrease in carbon supersaturation of martensite.
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