ABSTRACT
The possible influence of banded microstructure on the fracture performance of a high-carbon steel is investigated using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The banded microstructure was found to be alternating layers of bainite and tempered martensite/retained austenite. Transformation of bainite was promoted by a combined effect of segregation of alloying elements, non-uniform thermal gradient across the steel, and the insufficient austenitisation. The transformation of bainite along the prior austenite grain boundaries (PAGBs) introduces a non-uniform strain distribution at bainite/martensite interface and a higher stress concentration, which may eventually lead to the failure of the heavy section in a brittle intergranular manner. Results provide insights to the importance of understanding the bainitic transformation in such eutectoid steel systems.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
ORCID
Rangasayee Kannan http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5792-5739
Yiyu Wang http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7248-0646
Leijun Li http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2411-3846