Microstructure development of quenching and partitioning-processed martensitic stainless steels with different manganese content

This work presents an investigation of the microstructure development during the application of the quenching and partitioning (Q&P) process to two stainless steels with different Mn content. The results are compared with calculations based on the constrained carbon equilibrium theory, paying special attention to the presence of reactions competing for the carbon available for partitioning and to the effect of alloying element segregation. Results show that chromium carbides must be considered when accounting for the carbon available for austenite stabilisation. Moreover, manganese/chromium segregation bands play an important role in the microstructure development, particularly in martensite formation, with important consequences in the microstructure development during the following processing steps.