Quantification of vanadium precipitates in HSLA steel by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)

Abstract

AbstractThis study demonstrates how the synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy can be applied for the quantification of precipitation in high strength low alloyed steel. The fraction of vanadium in different forms of compounds, as well as in the solid solution, was measured using a linear combination fit of the spectral weights. The technique confirms substantial enhancement of precipitation by lowering the cooling rate. A significant fraction of vanadium atoms of over 0.6 remained in the solid solution when the cooling rate was as high as 60 K × s−1. In contrast, the precipitation of vanadium was almost completed by decreasing the cooling rate to 0.1 K × s−1. The results corresponded to the proof by scanning transmission electron microscopy.