Application of in-situ electrical resistance measurements to the study of phase transformations in ferrous alloys

Phase transformations have been studied in a variety of different steels with the use of “in situ” electrical resistance measurements. The results were evaluated by metallography of the initial and final microstructures and with consideration of data from the published literature. On this basis a good correlation has been established and it was shown that this method is suitable for such investigations. It even presents certain advantages, thus providing a more complete understanding of the physical metallurgy of steels. We out-lined the field in which the measurement of electrical resistance is particularly suitable and an example of processes that are difficult to monitor using other commonly used methods.