TEM & AFM - complementary techniques for structural characterization of nanobainitic steel

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse and to identify the phases which formed in 100CrMnSi6-4 bearing steel after the nanostructuring heat treatment. Especially designed thermal treatment parameters were applied in order to obtain a nanobainitic structure. Two different microscopic techniques were used for the precise examination of the microstructures obtained: transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Both analyses confirm that the examined steel has a nanocrystalline structure. However, it was discovered that the selected analysis methods affected the results of the plate thickness measurements.