Atom probe tomography reveals options for microstructural design of steels and titanium alloys by segregation engineering

Abstract

Here we discuss approaches for designing microstructures in steels and titanium alloys by manipulating the segregation content and the structural state of lattice defects. Different mechanisms can be utilized in that context, such as for instance site specific segregation as described by the Gibbs isotherm and the generalized defectant concept, confined phase transformation phenomena and the formation of complexions, i.e. confined chemical and structural states at lattice defects.