Formation of austenite in initially quenched low-carbon steels of different alloying systems in the intercritical temperature interval

Phase and structural transformations upon heating in the intercritical temperature range have been studied in initially quenched 12Kh2G2NMFT and 12KhN3A low-carbon steels. The dependence of the intercritical interval (ICI) width on the heating rate of initially quenched steels has been demonstrated. The structure and properties of the steels after high-rate austenitizing and isothermal holding in the ICI have been studied. It has been shown that in both steels the formation of austenite occurs by the martensite mechanism, and the further development of nuclei is mainly determined by the diffusion paths of carbon.