In-Situ Observation of Proeutectoid Ferrite Growth Process in Carbon Steel Under Continuous Cooling Conditions

Abstract The growth of proeutectoid ferrite in Fe-0.15%C-0.8%Mn carbon steel during continuous cooling process was observed in-situ and tracked dynamically by using a high-temperature confocal scanning laser microscope (HTCSLM), and the growing process was also investigated. The growth regularity of proeutectoid ferrite plates within austenite was obtained by analyzing the growth fashions and directions and quantitatively studying the growth rates. The results show that the proeutectoid ferrite plates grow in the fashion of creeping, twisting, branching off and deflection within austenite grain. The proeutectoid ferrite plates can grow up along preferential orientation but not strictly. Its growth direction fluctuates and changes in a small range. The growth rate also changes with the change in growth fashion and direction. When the proeutectoid ferrite grows in the fashion of deflection, the average growth rate of proeutectoid ferrite before its deflection is about 61.9, and 46.2 μm/s after the 15° deflection. At the beginning of proeutectoid ferrite growing, there is a fast growing stage. As the tip of proeutectoid ferrite extends forward continuously, the growth rate will slow down. Therefore, it will induce the proeutectoid ferrite to deflect and grow along another favorable direction, then it will grow rapidly again.