Evaluation of retained austenite stability in heat treated cold work tool steel

In the paper interdependence between retained austenite volume fraction and external tensile stresses as well as temperature and tempering time have been observed. On the basis of the obtained research a parameter characterising mechanical stability of retained austenite has been introduced. Low mechanical stability of retained austenite has been observed in the structure of the researched 70MnCrMoV9-2-4-2 steel which was not tempered after hardening.