Amount of retained austenite at room temperature after reverse transformation of martensite to austenite in an Fe-13%Cr-7%Ni-3%Si martensitic stainless steel

Below a heating rate of 10 degreesC/s, the reverse transformation (alpha' --> gamma) of a low carbon Fe-13%Cr-7%Ni-3%Si martensitic stainless steel occurs by diffusion, whereas it occurs in a diffusionless manner above 10 degreesC/s. The amount of retained austenite at room temperature is proportional to both the volume fraction of reversed austenite and its stability. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.