Thermal stabilization of austenite in a high-nickel steel

Abstract

The kinetics of the thermal stabilization of austenite have been studied in a 0.5 pct C 19 pct Ni steel within the range +300°C to -78°C. The Kinsman-Shyne model for stabilization is seen to be inadequate outside the temperature range +150°C to -20°C for this alloy. Stabilization at subzero temperatures can exhibit thermal reversibility without, however, requiring the fundamental mechanism itself to be similarly reversible.