Estimation of dislocation density in bainitic microstructures using high-resolution dilatometry

It is possible by means of high-resolution dilatometry, together with a model based on isotropic dilatation and atomic volumes, to estimate the dislocation density introduced in the microstructure as a consequence of the isothermal decomposition of austenite into bainitic ferrite. The relatively high dislocation density associated with this microstructure is attributed to the fact that the shape deformation accompanying this displacive transformation is accommodated by plastic relaxation. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.