On the scavenging effect of precipitated austenite in a low carbon Fe-5.5Ni alloy

The scavenging effect of precipitated austenite in a low carbon, commercial Fe-5.5Ni cryogenic alloy was investigated through observation of the dissolution of cementite precipitates during intercritical tempering and study of the associated change in Charpy impact toughness. Cementite precipitates initially located along prior austenite grain boundaries were gradually dissolved into reverted austenite as the intercritical tempering proceeded. The austenite tends to form at or around the carbide particles and may be catalyzed by their presence. The Charpy impact energy is changed through both a decrease in the ductile-brittle transition temperature and an increase in the upper shelf energy. The latter effect is specifically associated with the dissolution of the carbides which act as preferential void nucleation sites in the untempered alloy.