Application of dilatometric analysis to the study of solid–solid phase transformations in steels

This article outlines the use of dilatometry in solid–solid phase transformation research in steel. It describes how dilatometric data are interpreted, with an emphasis on continuous heating and cooling transformation diagrams. These diagrams show the microstructural constituents that result from given heating and cooling conditions, and are an invaluable tool for the metallurgist in characterizing steels with respect to their response to heat treatments. Several practical examples and applications of dilatometry in steel research are briefly described in this work.