Study of the 1.25Cr–1Mo–0.25V steel microstructure after a carburization phenomenon

We studied the changes in the structure and carbide particle size in 1.25Cr–1Mo–0.25V steel under 600 °C and 168 MPa, after 4000 h service. We used microscopy and microanalysis techniques to analyze the carbide particles. We performed a complementary theoretical study on the chemical bonding and electronic structure of the carbide–Fe matrix interaction. The results contribute to the understanding of the changes in the alloy microstructure caused by the carburization phenomenon.