In-situ observation of variant pair formation in bainite of low carbon steel by digital holographic microscopy

Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) was employed to investigate the formation process and shape evolution of the most frequently observed bainite variant pairs in low-carbon alloy steel. Through in-situ observation coupled with theoretical predictions, the continuous changes in surface relief corresponding to bainite and adjacent austenite were measured. Additionally, the crystal orientations of the observed variant pairs were determined using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The results indicated that at the onset of the transformation, the bainite variant shape agreed with theoretical predictions, while the adjacent austenite experienced plastic deformation. However, as the transformation proceeded towards completion, the shape of some bainite variants deviated from the theoretical predictions, while their adjacent austenite remained undeformed. This shift of deformation strain between austenite and bainite suggests a change in strain accommodation mechanism. Furthermore, the observed ‘tent-shaped’ surface relief was attributed to back-to-back mutually accommodating variant pairs, resulting in reduction of the total shape strain, compared to the theoretical prediction.