Abstract
Martensitic transformations occur in steels and other metals when the material is quenched or cooled. During the transformation, a metastable phase transforms in an autocatalytic way into a thermodynamically stable phase. Thus, it has been considered to be impossible to control the size of martensite in the order of nanometers. Here, we report the formation and dispersion of nanosized martensite in stainless steels by controlling the dislocation density and temperature. Electron microscopy revealed that martensite particles of approximately 5 nm in diameter were dispersed. Since both work hardening and precipitation hardening are effective in this material, this would be an additional, newly discovered strengthening mechanism for steels.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 261-265 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2001 Feb |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanics of Materials
- Metals and Alloys