Kinetic model of isothermal bainitic transformation of low carbon steels under ausforming conditions

Carbide-free bainitic steels show attractive mechanical properties but are difficult to process
because of the sluggish phase transformation kinetics. A macroscopic model based on the classical
nucleation theory in conjunction with the modified Koistinen–Marburger relationship is proposed
in this study to simulate the kinetics of incomplete bainitic and martensitic phase transformations
with and without austenite deformation. A 0.26C-1Si-1.5Mn-1Cr-1Ni-0.003B-0.03Ti steel and a
0.18C-1Si-2.5Mn-0.2Cr-0.2Ni-0.02B-0.03Ti steel were investigated with different levels of ausforming.
The concept of ausforming is expected to accelerate the onset of the bainitic transformation and
to enhance the thermodynamic stability of austenite by increased dislocation density. The phase
transformation kinetics of both steels is quantitatively analyzed in the study by dilatometry and X-ray
diffraction so that the carbon concentration in the retained austenite and bainitic ferrite, as well as
their volume fractions, is determined. A critical comparison of the numerical and experimental data
demonstrates that the isothermal kinetics of bainite formation and the variation of driving energy
can be satisfactorily described by the developed model. This model captures the incompleteness of
the bainite phase transformation and the carbon enrichment in the austenite well. A fitting parameter
can be used to elucidate the initial energy barrier caused by the ausforming. An increase in austenite
stability can be described by the nucleation reaction and the thermodynamic energies associated
with the change of dislocation density. The proposed model provides an in-depth understanding
of the effect of ausforming on the transformation kinetics under different low-carbon steels and is a
potential tool for the future design of heat treatment processes and alloys.