Austenite and martensite in nitrogen-, carbon- and hydrogen-containing iron alloys: Similarities and differences

The effects of C, N and H in the iron-based alloys are studied in terms of the electronic and crystal structure, atomic distribution, phase transformations, crystal lattice defects and some peculiarities of mechanical behavior. Similarities and differences in thermodynamic behavior, structure and properties are derived from the theoretical and experimental findings showing that carbon assists the covalent character of interatomic bonds, whereas nitrogen and hydrogen increase the concentration of conduction electrons.