Effect of carbon content on variant pairing of martensite in Fe–C alloys

The effect of carbon content on the variant pairing tendency of martensite formed in Fe–C alloys is investigated by means of electron backscattered diffraction analysis. The method used is based on experimentally determined orientation relationships between austenite and martensite. The results show that the carbon content has a strong effect on the martensite variant pairing tendency. This observed change in variant pairing tendency is discussed in relation to the well-known morphological transition from lath to plate martensite in Fe–C alloys and the formation of packets and plate groups. The results indicate that quantitative analysis of variant pairing, as demonstrated here, may facilitate martensite characterization in Fe–C alloys as well as in other alloy systems.