Element distribution and diffusion behavior in Q&P steel during partitioning

Carbon, manganese, and silicon distribution in quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steel during partitioning process was investigated to reveal the diffusion behavior. The microstructure and chemical composition were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and three-dimensional atom probe. It is shown that the studied Q&P steel consisted of martensite laths and thin, film-like retained austenite showing extraordinary phase transformation stability. Carbon atoms mostly diffused to the retained austenite from martensite at a higher partitioning temperature. In the experimental steel partitioned at 400℃ for 10–60 s, carbides or cementite formed through carbon segregation along martensite boundaries or within the martensite matrix. As a result of carbon atom diffusion from martensite to austenite, the carbon content in martensite could be ignored. When the partitioning process completed, the constrained carbon equilibrium (CCE) could be simplified. Results calculated by the simplified CCE model were similar to those of CCE, and the difference between the two optimum quenching temperatures, where the maximum volume fraction of the retained austenite can be obtained by the Q&P process, was little.