X-ray diffraction and magnetic characterization of the retained austenite in a chromium alloyed high carbon steel

In the present work the amount of retained austenite present in quenched and tempered high carbon–chromium alloyed steel was quantified by X-ray diffraction and magnetization saturation measurements. The steel was forged and directly quenched. The retained austenite partially transformed into martensite on cooling down to −196 °C. The Mf temperature of about −150 °C was found by thermomagnetic analysis. Tempering at low temperatures (220 °C and 270 °C) promoted the stabilization effect of austenite. The intrinsic magnetization of the ferromagnetic martensite used in the phase quantification was 206.4 A2 m/kg. The increase of the tempering temperature above 320 °C slightly decreases the m s value of the martensite due to tempering reactions.