Quantitative Analysis of Carbide Phases in Medium-Carbon Steel After Low-Temperature Tempering

Structural features of high-strength wear-resistant steel formed after tempering at different temperatures are investigated. Temperature dependences are determined for steel hardness and impact strength. Temperature ranges are recorded for intermediate carbide formation, cementite particle formation, and residual austenite decomposition. The lath structure and carbide particle distribution are analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. Neutron diffraction is used to study the dependence of the proportion of retained austenite on temperature. Atom probe tomography is used to analyze micro-inhomogeneity in carbon and alloying element distribution.