Effect of electric field on high-temperature decarburization of 0.9%C-Fe steel

0.9%C-Fe steel specimens were heated to 930 • C in air ovens with and without applying electric fields.The study reveals that electric field annealing leads to an augmented thickness of the fully decarburized layer on the surface of the specimen, as well as an increased volume fraction of proeutectoid ferrite in the specimen's center.This phenomenon arises from the accelerated diffusion rate of carbon atoms to the specimen's surface induced by the electric field, thereby enhancing the decarburization process.