Simulation and characterisation of the microstructure of ultra-fast heated dual-phase steel

The current study focuses on the composition of the constituents that are obtained from ultra-fast heating and the composition of the parent austenite that was achieved at the peak temperature. In order to analyse the content and distribution of important elements such as carbon, manganese, chromium and molybdenum in the microstructure, simulation software was used. It is also found that the content of these elements shows a gradient in the microstructure in relation to the distance from the undissolved cementite. This leads to carbon-rich areas in the vicinity of cementite and carbon-depleted areas as the distance from the cementite grows. The former creates ideal conditions for the retainment of austenite due to the higher carbon content while the latter creates conditions that enable the formation of bainite in the microstructure.