Investigation using 4D-CT of massive-like transformation from the δ to γ phase during and after δ-solidification in carbon steels

Abstract

For a long time, the γ phase in metallic alloys has seemed to be produced through a peritectic reaction between the δ and liquid phases. However, direct observations have shown that a massive-like transformation, in which the δ phase transforms into the γ phase in the solid state, is dominant during or after solidification of the δ phase in carbon steels. To characterize such massive-like transformation, we use time-resolved tomography (4D-CT) to demonstrate the volume change during cooling from the melt and the crystallographic orientation relationship between the δ and γ phases. The volume changes from solidification and from the massive-like transformation from the δ to the γ phase were -3% and -0.5%, respectively. The transformation from the δ to the γ phase finished quickly, as demonstrated by the volume change. Fine γ grains were produced even in a single δ grain through the massive-like transformation. Also, the refined γ grains showed a wide crystallographic distribution.