In-situ observations on interphase boundary migration and grain growth during α/γ phase transformation in iron-4.2%Cr alloy

In-situ observations on α/γ phase transformation were made to study the effects of grain boundary microstructures on the formation of a new phase and the migration of α/γ interphase boundary in an iron4. 2%Cr alloy. It was found that triple junctions with more random boundaries could be the primary nucleation sites for a new phase, while triple junctions with low angle or low ∑ coincidence boundaries did not play any role as preferential sites. The migration of α/γ interphase boundary during heating over the transformation temperature range showed the two stage behaviour characterized by a stage with a migration velocity of 0. 33-0. 75 mm/s and secondly by a stage with 3. 7-7. 6 mm/s. It was also found that abnormal grain growth and a high density of ∑3 coincidence boundaries could occur in a phase with bcc structure after cycling of α/γ phase transformation. A new mechanism of nucleation and growth of a new phase in α/γ phase transformation is proposed on the basis of roles of plane-matching interphase boundaries, as previously discussed on the origin of anisotropy of grain growth due to the migration of {110} plane-matching boundaries in Fe-3z%Si alloy. The most recent theoretical work on the distribution of plane-matching boundaries in solids with different crystal structures was found to be useful for the understanding of nucleation and growth during α/γ phase transformation.

In-situ observations on α/γ phase transformation were made to study the effects of grain boundary microstructures on the formation of a new phase and the migration of α/γ interphase boundary in an iron-4.2%Cr alloy. It was found that triple junctions with more random boundaries could be the primary nucleation sites for a new phase, while triple junctions with low angle or low Σ coincidence boundaries did not play any role as preferential sites. The migration of α/γ interphase boundary during heating over the transformation temperature range showed the two stage behaviour characterized by a stage with a migration velocity of 0.33~0.75 mm/s and secondly by a stage with 3.7~7.6 mm/s. It was also found that abnormal grain growth and a high density of Σ3 coincidence boundaries could occur in a phase with bcc structure after cycling of α/γ phase transformation. A new mechanism of nucleation and growth of a new phase in α/γ phase transformation is proposed on the basis of roles of plane-matching interphase boundaries, as previously discussed on the origin of anisotropy of grain growth due to the migration of {110} plane-matching boundaries in Fe-3%Si alloy. The most recent theoretical work on the distribution of plane-matching boundaries in solids with different crystal structures was found to be useful for the understanding of nucleation and growth during α/γ phase transformation.