Chi-carbide in tempered high carbon martensite

Martensite in an Fe-1.22C alloy was tempered at 523, 573, and 623 K and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Mössbauer effect spectroscopy (MES) to identify the morphology and type of carbide formed at the beginning of the third stage of tempering. Carbides formed in three morphologies: on twins within the martensite plates, in the matrix of twin-free areas of the martensite plates, and along the interfaces of the martensite plates. Chi-carbide(x), as identified by selected area diffraction (SAD), was associated with each carbide morphology in specimens tempered at 573 K. Cementite (0) together with chi-carbide was observed in specimens tempered at 623 K. Small amounts (about 2 pct) of retained austenite were observed by MES of specimens tempered at 523 K. The transformation of the 25 pct retained austenite in as-quenched specimens was related to theX-carbide formed at the martensite plate interfaces during tempering. The MES results also show the presence of κ-carbide in the specimen tempered at 523 K and yields parameters indicative of a mixture of κ and θ carbides for the specimens tempered at 573 K and 623 K. MES measurements of the magnetic transition temperatures of the carbides show diffuse transitions but suggest that κ is the dominant carbide in the tempering temperature range examined.