A Review of Microsegregation Induced Banding Phenomena in Steels

A review is presented of banding in hypoeutectoid and hypereutectoid steels. The data available on hypereutectoid steels are quite limited and therefore a study is presented on banding in a 52100 steel. Similarities and differences are identified in the banding that occurs in commercial hypoeutectoid versus hypereutectoid steels. The distinct surface patterns of Damascus steels, which are nearly pure hypereutectoid steels, have recently been shown to be due to carbide banding. It is shown that the carbide banding in the 52100 steel occurs by a distinctly different mechanism than the carbide banding of the Damascus composition steels.