Effect of recalescence on microstructure and phase transformation in high carbon steel

This paper deals with the effect of recalescence on the microstructure of high carbon steels. Controlled experiments are conducted with varying cooling rates and different specimen geometries in a thermomechanical simulator to completely or partially suppress the transformation enthalpy. Different amounts of recalescence obtained from various experiments are then correlated with the final microstructures. The results clearly indicate the importance of recalescence and also show the limitations of using thermomechanical simulators in predicting the characteristics of gamma -> pearlite transformation in high carbon steels. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the phase transformation in high carbon steels under continuous cooling conditions incorporating the influence of recalescence. The newly developed model gives better prediction of microstructure than currently available models in high carbon steels under higher cooling rates.