A Model for Particle Dissolution and Precipitation in HSLA Steels

Precipitation of carbonitrides has been studied in as-cast slabs of one Nb and one Nb and Ti containing HSLA steel. The precipitates have been quantified using LOM and TEM. The measured size and number distributions was then compared to model calculations of precipitate nucleation and growth using estimates of the cooling rates in the austenitic range (1490oC to 800oC) during casting. Both average size and number distributions could be modelled with good agreement using identical model parameters (except for individual diffusion coefficients for the participating species). The model is based on classic nucleation rate theory and a quasistationary approximation for growth of spherical particles. Local equilibrium is assumed at the phase boundary.