Effect of cooling conditions on the magnetic properties of bainite transformation in an Fe-2%Mn-0.5%Cr alloy

Abstract The effect of cooling conditions on the magnetic properties of bainitic reaction in Fe–2%Mn–0.5%Cr alloy have been investigated using Mossbauer spectroscopy. Results showed that the bainite phase is magnetically ordered and the amount of magnetic bainite increases by decrease in grain size or increase in cooling rate. It is also shown that the retained austenite has paramagnetic behavior. The morphology of the alloy has been analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in heat-treated specimens at different cooling rates. In addition, the bainite start ( B s ) and finish ( B f ) temperatures and reverse transformation start ( A s ) and finish ( A f ) temperatures have been investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) system for different heat treatment conditions.