The Mössbauer Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Phase Transformation during Tempering in High-Carbon Tool Steel

This work presents the results of investigations using Mossbauer spectroscopy technique and XRD, and their interpretation concerning precipitations and transformation of iron carbides and retained austenite stabilization. It also discusses changes in hardened matrix during tempering in relation to previously conducted dilatometric, microscopic and mechanical examinations. This research was carried out using a new high-carbon alloy 120MnCrMoV8-6-4-2 steel, which was designed in 1998, in Phase Transformations Research Group at the AGH UST. The influence of the tempering time on the mechanical and chemical stability of retained austenite and on the products of its transformation, nucleation and solubility of iron carbides and cementite nucleation and growth, was determined.