X-ray diffraction and magnetic characterization of the retained austenite in a chromium alloyed high carbon steel

In the present work the amount of retained austenite present in quenched and tempered high carbon– chromium alloyed steel was quantified by X-ray diffraction and magnetization saturation measurements. The steel was forged and directly quenched. The retained austenite partially transformed into martensite on cooling down to )196 C. The Mf temperature of about )150 C was found by thermomagnetic analysis. Tempering at low temperatures (220 C and 270 C) promoted the stabilization effect of austenite. The intrinsic magnetization of the ferromagnetic martensite used in the phase quantification was 206.4 A2 m/kg. The increase of the tempering temperature above 320 C slightly decreases the ms value of the martensite due to tempering reactions.