Nanometer martensite flakes in high-temperature deformation-induced ferrite grains of a low-carbon steel

High-temperature deformation-induced ferrite grains supersaturated with carbon offer superior properties such as higher elastic modulus and microhardness compared with proeutectoid ferrite because of they contain nanometer martensite flakes. After annealing at 700 °C, fine carbides precipitate due to the decomposition of these nanometer martensite flakes.