Size analysis of nanometer titanium carbide in steel by using small-angle neutron scattering

Abstract

Utilization of nanometer size precipitates in steel is a promising technology for the developing high tensile strength steels, and it is important to analyze the size of the precipitates. Electron microscopy is a powerful method in directly determining the precipitates size, but the area observed is limited and statistical procedure is tedious. Therefore, size analysis of precipitates in steel was conducted by using small-angle neutron scattering method (SANS). Sample (0.045%C-1.8%Mn-0.2%Ti-0.004%N) with different heat treatment was used for the experiments. Size of nanometer size TiC calculated by SANS profiles agreed with that obtained by direct observation of precipitates by transmission electron microscope (TEM). We have succeeded in macroscopic and non-destructive determination of the size of nanometer-sized TiC.