Reinterpretation for Modeling Carbon Partition by Thermo‐Kinetics

Carbon partitioning plays a critical role in optimizing the stability of retained austenite to achieve a synergistic enhancement of strength and ductility in quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels. Despite the availability of numerous carbon partitioning models, significant efforts remain necessary to comprehensively evaluate their underlying assumptions, applicability, and limitations, thereby enabling the rational design of materials at a more fundamental physical‐metallurgical level. As the foundation of this review, thermodynamic assumptions and thermo‐kinetic correlation theory are introduced to elucidate the classification of carbon partitioning models from a novel perspective. Guided by these thermodynamic assumptions, the carbon‐constrained para‐equilibrium model, CCEθ model (incorporating carbide precipitation), as well as para‐equilibrium and local equilibrium models that account for interface migration are systematically evaluated. Finally, a novel thermo‐kinetic correlation model for carbon partitioning is proposed, and its potential is critically discussed.