Effect of austenitizing temperature on microstructure in 16Mn steel treated by cerium

The change of inclusions and microstructure of 16Mn steel treated by Ce were observed, and the effect of austenitizing temperature on the microstructure was also examined. The results show that the inclusions are transformed from Si-Mn-Al composite oxide and MnS into AlCeO₃, Ce₂O₂S, and MnS composite inclusions after being treated by Ce. Plenty of intragranular ferrites are formed in 16Mn steel containing ∼0.017wt% Ce. A large amount of intragranular acicular ferrites are formed after being austenitized for 20 min at 1473 K. The prior austenite grain size fit for the formation of intragranular acicular ferrites is about 120 μm.