The effects of prior deformation and transformations on the microstructure of an iron-nickel alloy

Abstract

The microstructure of an Fe-31.4 pet Ni-0.3 pet C alloy was examined via transmission electron microscopy as a function of thermomechanical treatment. The effects of prior deformation, rapid reversion to austenite and thermal cycling on the microstructure were investigated, and operative strengthening mechanisms under various conditions were correlated to observed structures. When midrib twinned, plate martensite of this alloy was deformed at room temperature, dislocation glide was the operating mode, and the midrib twins and plate like structure were completely dissolved after 80 pet cold rolling. The microstructure of reverted austenite without prior deformation was composed of sheared plates, but became finely equiaxed with prior deformation of the martensite. The superior strength of reverted austenite in comparison to annealed austenite was due to a grain size refinement and a higher dislocation density. However, the strengthening observed in reverted austenite with prior deformation in comparison to reverted austenite without prior deformation was due to a grain size effect alone. Repeated thermal cyclings increased the strength of reverted austenite. This was due to increases in the dislocation density since the grain structure was principally dictated by the first martensite transformationreversion cycle.