Effect of high magnetic fields on the martensite transformation

The effect of high magnetic fields up to 132 kOe on the martensite transformation has been investigated in two alloy steels, 52100 bearing steel and a type 410 stainless steel. In both cases the martensite start temperature is raised by the application of a magnetic field, and the increase inM _s is linear with field. The rate of formation of martensite is not affected by the field. Numerical values for the entropy of the austenite-martensite reaction can be obtained from the experimental results, and are in reasonable agreement with previous results and with theoretical calculations. Richard Fields was formerly a student.