Understanding Heat Treatment

Results Using Metallography

George F. Vander Voort

Consultant – Struers Inc.
Westlake, Ohio USA
As-Hot Rolled Microstructures
 4% Picral 2% Nital

Microstructure of hot-rolled Fe – 0.94% C – 0.51% Mn – 0.32% Si – 1.34% Cr

alloy steel revealing a fully pearlitic matrix. Picral revealed a network of
cementite in the prior-austenite grain boundaries (arrows). This is not visible
using nital. Originals at 1000X.
 4% Picral 2% Nital

Microstructure of as-rolled Fe – 1.31% C – 0.35% Mn – 0.25% Si high-carbon

water hardenable tool steel. Note the Widmanstätten intragranular cementite
that precipitated as pro-eutectoid cementite before the eutectoid reaction.
Originals at 1000X.
Microstructure of the as-rolled Fe – 1.31% C – 0.35% Mn – 0.25% Si specimen
with the intergranular carbide network clearly visible after etching with
alkaline sodium picrate, 90 °C – 60 s. Original at 500X magnification. Note
also some intragranular Widmanstätten cementite.
 Beraha’s Sulfamic Acid Reagent Klemm’s I Reagent
Color etching of the as-rolled hypereutectoid Fe-1.31% C – 0.35% Mn – 0.25% Si specimen
clearly revealed the intergranular cementite films. Beraha’s sulfamic acid etch (100 mL
water, 3 g K2S2O5 and 2 g NH2SO3H) (left) and Klemm’s I reagent (right) were used. Original
magnifications were 500X. Taken with polarized light and sensitive tint.
 20 µm
20 µm

O1 A2

20 µm
S4

Examples of the variation in microstructure in as-hot rolled tool steels (2% nital).
Annealing
Schematic examples of full annealing cycles
that use a continuous slow cooling rate.
Through the transformation range.
Schematic examples of full annealing cycles that use
isothermal holds through the transformation range.
 4% Picral 2% Nital
Microstructure of annealed (871 °C, 1600 °F – 1 hour, slow cool) SAE 4140
alloy steel (Fe – 0.4% C – 0.85% Mn – 0.95% Cr – 0.2% Mo) revealing
proeutectoid ferrite and coarse lamellar pearlite. Note that nital, because it is
sensitive to crystal orientation, does not reveal the cementite lamellae well in
all packets (arrows point to examples). Originals at 1000X.
 Annealing
4140

20 µm
20 µm

1380 °F, 749 °C 1550 °F, 843 °C

Ac1 = 1380 °F, 749 °C

20 µm
Ac3 = 1460 °F, 793 °C

1450 °F, 788 °C

Illustration of the influence of the austenitizing temperature on the annealed
microstructure of 4140 alloy steel (slow cooled 20 °F/h to 1100 °F), 4% picral.
Annealing W1 Tool Steel

Hot Rolled
and Slow
Cooled

20 µm 1600 °F, 20 µm
OQ

HR+SC +
Spheroidize
Anneal

Norm+
20 µm Spheroidize 20 µm

Anneal
Influence of starting microstructure on spheroidize annealed
microstructure of W1 (1.05% C) tool steel (4% picral).
 Annealing S5 Tool Steel

20 µm 20 µm

Ferrite plus Coarse 1300 °F, 704 °C – 16 h, AC

Pearlite-Starting Sub-Critical Anneal

20 µm
Full Anneal
Influence of starting microstructure on the spheroidize annealed
microstructure of S5 tool steel (4% picral).
 Annealing S5 Tool Steel

20 µm
20 µm

Ferrite and Fine 1300 °F, 704 °C – 16 h, AC

Pearlite, Starting Sub-Critical Anneal
Structure

20 µm
Full Anneal
Influence of starting microstructure on the spheroidize annealed microstructure of S5 tool
steel (4% picral).
 Annealing S5 Tool Steel

20 µm 20 µm

Lower Bainite Starting 1300 °F, 704 °C – 16 h, AC,

Structure Sub-Critical Anneal

20 µm
Full Anneal
Influence of starting microstructure on the spheroidize annealed microstructure of S5
tool steel (4% picral).
 Annealing S5 Tool Steel

20 µm 20 µm

Tempered Martensite 1300 °F, 704 °C – 16 h, AC

Starting Structure Sub-Critical Anneal

20 µm
Full Anneal
Influence of starting microstructure on the spheroidize annealed microstructure of S5
tool steel (4% picral).
Normalizing
 Grain Growth of 1040 Carbon Steel

100 µm 100 µm

1600 °F, 871 °C, AC 1800 °F, 982 °C, AC

20 µm
2000 °F, 1093 °C, AC
Influence of the normalizing temperature upon the grain size and
microstructure of 1040 carbon steel (2% nital).
Grain coarsening behavior of alloy steels.
Isothermal Transformations
Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) diagram for 5160 alloy steel.
 2% Nital 4% Picral

Upper bainite (dark or outlined) and as-quenched martensite (gray or white) in 5160 alloy
steel (Fe – 0.6% C - 0.85% Mn – 0.25% Si – 0.8% Cr) that was austenitized at 830 °C (1525 °F)
for 30 min., isothermally held at 538 °C (1000 F°) for 30 sec to partially transform the
austenite, and then water quenched (untransformed austenite forms martensite).
 2% Nital 10% Sodium Metabisulfite

Upper bainite and as-quenched martensite 5160 alloy steel (Fe – 0.6% C - 0.85% Mn – 0.25%
Si – 0.8% Cr) that was austenitized at 830 °C (1525 °F) for 30 min., isothermally held at 538 °C
(1000 F°) for 30 sec to partially transform the austenite, and then water quenched
(untransformed austenite forms martensite). Etched with 2% nital (left) and aqueous 10%
Na2S2O5 (right) which colored the martensite light brown and the upper bainite blue.
 2% Nital 4% Picral

Lower bainite (dark) and as-quenched martensite (white/gray) in 5160 alloy steel (Fe – 0.6%
C - 0.85% Mn – 0.25% Si – 0.8% Cr) that was austenitized at 830 °C (1525 °F) for 30 min.,
isothermally held at 343 °C (650 F°) for 5 minutes to partially transform the austenite, and
then water quenched (untransformed austenite forms martensite).
Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) diagram for 4140 Alloy Steel.
 2% Nital 4% Picral

Microstructure of 4140 alloy steel (Fe – 0.4% C – 0.9% Mn – 0.2% Si – 1% Cr – 0.2% Mo)
austenitized at 843 °C (1550 °F), isothermally transformed at 566 °C (1050 °F) for 15 min.,
and water quenched, to partially transform austenite to upper bainite (arrow in
segregation streak shows the initiation of bainitic ferrite surrounded by martensite; the
untransformed austenite was converted to martensite). 4% picral etch does not reveal
the bainitic ferrite surrounded by martensite as well as nital.
 2% Nital 4% Picral

4140 alloy steel (Fe – 0.4% C – 0.9% Mn – 0.2% Si – 1% Cr – 0.2% Mo) austenitized
at 843 °C (1550 °F), isothermally transformed at 413 °C (775 °F) for 30 sec., and
water quenched, to partially transform austenite to lower bainite (surrounded by
martensite; the untransformed austenite was converted to martensite).
 20 µm

Microstructure of austempered ductile iron tint etched with Beraha’s CdS reagent
containing large graphite nodules (arrow), bainite (blue and brown) and retained
austenite (white) when viewed with polarized light plus sensitive tint.
Continuous Cooling Transformations
Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) diagram for 9260 alloy steel.
 800 °F/min; 654 HV

20 µm 20 µm 20 µm

3000 °F/min; 833 HV 550 °F/min; 551 HV

20 µm
250 °F/min; 374 HV 20 µm 2.5 °F/min; 282 HV
Influence of continuous cooling rate on the microstructure of 9260 alloy steel (4% picral)
Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) diagram for 8640 alloy steel.
Examples of dilatometer curves
used to create CCT diagrams (in
this case, for 8640 alloy steel).
 550 °F/min; 473 HV

1000 °F/min; 605 HV 100 °F/min; 308 HV

25 °F/min; 278 HV 2.5 °F/min; 250 HV

Influence of continuous cooling rate on the microstructure of 8640 alloy steel (4% picral).
Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT) diagram for 3140 alloy steel.
 250 °F/min; 287 HV

20 µm 20 µm 20 µm

550 °F/min; 634 50 °F/min; 316 HV

HV

10 °F/min; 265 HV 20 µm 20 µm 2.5 °F/min; 235 HV

Influence of continuous cooling rate on the microstructure of 3140 alloy steel (4% picral).
 850 °F/min; 243 HV
20 µm
20 µm
1200 °F/min; 319 HV

2.5 °F/min; 149 HV

20 µm 20 µm
250 °F/min; 219 HV

Influence of continuous cooling rate on the microstructure of 4620 alloy steel (4% picral).
Quenched and Tempered
Microstructures
5160 Alloy Steel
All: 1525 °F, 830 °C, Oil Quench

As Quenched
63 HRC

400 °F, 204 °C

20 µm 58 HRC 20 µm

800 °F, 427 °C

47 HRC

1200 °F, 649 °C

20 µm 20 µm
28 HRC
Martensitic and tempered martensitic microstructure of 5160 alloy steel (2% nital).
 4140 Alloy Steel
All: 1600 °F, 871 °C, Oil Quench

As Quenched
55 HRC
20 µm 20 µm

400 °F, 204 °C

20 µm
20 µm 53 HRC

800 °F, 427 °C

45 HRC

1200 °F, 649 °C 20 µm

20 µm
26 HRC
Martensitic and tempered martensitic microstructure of 4140 alloy steel (2% nital).
8620 Alloy Steel All: 1600 °F, 871 °C, Water Quench

As Quenched
45 HRC

400 °F, 204 °C

20 µm 20 µm
44 HRC

800 °F, 427 °C

38 HRC

1200 °F, 649 °C

20 µm
20 µm 26 HRC

Martensitic and tempered martensitic microstructure of 8620 alloy steel (2% nital).
 20 µm 20
µm

1144 alloy steel 1524 alloy steel

20 µm
1541 alloy steel
Tempered martensite in low-alloy steels (1700 °F, 927 °C, water quenched,
tempered 300 °F, 149 °C, 4% picral etch.
 20 20 µm
µm

41B17 alloy steel 8625 alloy steel

Martensitic microstructure of low-carbon alloy steels (1725 °F,

940 °C, water quenched), 2% nital.
 20 µm 20 µm

S1 – Q+T, 58/59 HRC O1 – Q+T, 58 HRC

M2 HSS – Q+T,
20 µm
64/65 HRC
Tempered martensitic tool steel microstructures (2% nital).
Control of Austenitizing Temperature
 20 µm

4140 alloy steel, 1425 °F, 774 °C, Water Quench

Ferrite-martensite microstructure of 4140 alloy steel

austenitized within the two-phase + field, 2% nital
 20 µm

A2 Tool Steel, 2000 °F, 1093 °C, Air Quench

Coarse-grained martensitic microstructure of over-austenitized A2
tool steel (2% nital).
 10 µm 10 µm

1150 °C, Oil Quench 1204 °C, Oil Quench

50 µm 1260 °C, Oil Quench

Influence of excessive austenitizing temperature on the microstructure of 440C martensitic

stainless steel (Beraha’s sulfamic etch No. 4, polarized light plus sensitive tint).
Prior-Austenite Grain Size
 50 µm
50 µm

Prior-austenite grain boundaries in 43B17 alloy steel (Fe – 0.17% C – 1.85% Ni – 0.75% Cr –
0.25% Mo – 0.003% B) revealed by etching with aqueous saturated picric acid plus 1% HCl
and a wetting agent. The specimen at the left was given a normal heat treatment (843 °C –
30 min, oil quench, 230 °C temper) and has a fine grain size. The specimen on the right was
“mock carburized” (925 °C for 8 h, oil quench and tempered at 230 °C) and rapid grain
growth has begun. B-treated steels are not suitable for carburizing.
Solution Annealing
 100 µm

Microstructure of Custom Flo 302-HQ austenitic stainless steel (Fe - <0.08% C – 18% Cr – 9%
Ni – 3.5% Cu) in the hot rolled and solution annealed condition after tint etching with
Beraha’s BI reagent. The structure is equiaxed, twinned FCC austenite. The faint vertical
lines are from alloy segregation (longitudinal direction is vertical). Viewed with polarized
light plus sensitive tint.
 20 µm 20 µm

Hot Rolled and Slow Cooled 1900 °F, 1038 °C, Water Quench

Hot rolled and slowly cooled Hadfield manganese

steel must be solution annealed to remove the
pearlitic grain boundary constituent (4% picral).
Patenting of Wire
 20 µm 20 µm
20 µm

1070 CS, 900 °F, 482 °C 1072 CS, 900 °F, 482 °C 1072 CS, 950 F, 510 C

1 µm
0.67 µm 1 µm

1080 CS, 900 °F, 482 °C 1070 CS, 900 °F, 482 °C – Cold Drawn
Light micrographs (4% picral) and TEM replicas of patented carbon steel wire.
Surface Treatments
 Induction Hardening

Transition

20 µm 20 µm

Surface Core

20 µm

Microstructure of 1045 carbon steel after induction hardening showing the case,
transition zone and core areas. The surface is fully martensitic with no visible evidence
of retained austenite. The core structure is pearlite with proeutectoid ferrite in the grain
boundaries. The transition zone contains martensite, bainite and pearlite. The specimen
was etched with 2% nital.
 Carburizing

Mount

Unaffected
Core

Carburized gear teeth made with 8620 alloy steel (Fe – 0.2% C – 0.8% Mn – 0.25% Si – 0.55%
Ni – 0.5% Cr – 0.2% Mo) with a gradation of carbon and microstructure revealed by tint
etching with Beraha’s sulfamic acid reagent (100 mL water, 3 g potassium metabisulfite, 2 g
sulfamic acid and 0.7 g ammonium bifluoride) and viewed with polarized light plus sensitive
tint. Original at 50X.
 Case Core

Case and core microstructures of the carburized 8620 alloy steel specimen
in the previous slide revealing high-carbon plate martensite and low-
carbon lath martensite, respectively, after tint etching and viewing with
polarized light and sensitive tint. Originals at 500X.
Carburized P5 Plastic Mold Steel

100 µm

25 µm

Core – 22 HRC (Nomarski DIC)

Note: Old and New Ferrite (arrows)
10 µm
Case – 59.5HRC 2% Nital
Excessive grain boundary carbide networks in a failed P5 tool steel die (10% sodium
metabisulfite, polarized light plus sensitive tint).
 Etchant: 10%
Na2O2O5

Core

Etchant:
Klemm’s I

Transition
Zone

Klemm’s I vividly reveals the ferrite in the core present during austenitizing versus ferrite that
precipitated onto the pre-existing ferrite during quenching (due to inadequate hardenability).
Carburized 8620 – Lower Bainite
Case/Lath Martensite Core
Case – to – Core Transition
Bright Field Polarized Light + Sensitive Tint

Case Core Case Core

10% sodium metabisulfite used to reveal the microstructural
change from the lower bainitic case to the lath martensitic core.
 Carburized 8620 – Lower Bainite
Case/Lath Martensite Core
Bainitic Case

Bright Field Polarized Light + Sensitive Tint

Microstructure of the case of carburized (0.95% C potential) 8620 alloy steel. It was
carburized at 1750 °F, then quenched into a 50/50 mix of sodium nitrite and potassium
nitrate at 480 °F and held 120 minutes. It was air cooled and then tempered at 480 °F for 240
minutes to an aim case hardness of 52-60 HRC (etched with 10% sodium metabisulfite). The
lower bainite case performs better under low-cycle fatigue conditions.
Carburized 8620 – Lower Bainite
Case/Lath Martensite Core
Lath Martensite Core

Bright Field Polarized Light + Sensitive Tint

Lath martensitic core structure, with some ferritic

areas, revealed using 10% sodium metabisulfite.
Carburized 8620 – Lower Bainite
Case/Lath Martensite Core

Case – Lower Bainite Core – Lath Martensite

Case and core structure revealed using Beraha’s Sulfamic Acid reagent; 100
mL water, 3 g potassium metabisulfite and 1 g sulfamic acid
Carburized 8620 – Lower Bainite
Case/Lath Martensite Core

Case – Lower Bainite Core – Lath Martensite

Case and core structure revealed using 2% nital.

Microstructure of salt-bath nitrided resulfurized 1214 carbon steel. The black arrows
point to the “compound layer” while the red arrows point to iron nitrides, probably
gamma prime, Fe4N. The specimen was etched with 2% nital.
Microstructure of salt bath nitrided 1214 resulfurized carbon steel (transverse plane)
exhibiting a compound layer (yellow arrows) and iron nitrides in the ferrite matrix (red
arrows). Left: 500X, right: 1250 X (oil immersion objective); etched with 10:1 solution of
4% picral and 2% nital. The small particles are MnS in a matrix of ferrite and pearlite.
 Gas Nitriding
Ni
Iron
nitride
layer

Affected
Depth

Microstructure of gas nitrided 41B50 alloy steel (Fe – 0.5% C – 0.85% Mn – 0.25% Si – 0.95% Cr – 0.2% Mo – 0.003% B)
previously quench and tempered to 325 HV (tempered martensite). The surface was electroless nickel plated before
mounting as the outer edge of the iron nitride “white layer” is considerably softer than the inner layer (very hard and
brittle). The left view (original at 50X) reveals the depth of the nitrided case. The right view (original at 200X) reveals some
intergranular cementite films (yellow arrows). Tint etched with Beraha’s CdS reagent.
Microstructure of the broken nitrided Lustre Die (41B50+S) chuck jaw with a brittle
compound layer (note crack in layer (green arrow). The grain boundary films (red
arrows) are Fe3C due to the inward diffusion of carbon during nitriding (10% Na2S2O5).
 Ni
Electroless Ni Plating

Mn
S

Etching the failed Lustre Die chuck jaw with alkaline sodium picrate at 90 C for 90
seconds colored the cementite (violet arrows) in the third zone of the compound
layer (cementite has been reported to be found in the compound layer along with 
and ’ phases. The yellow arrows point to the three zones in the compound layer.
 Electroless Ni Plating

Failed Lustre Die nitrided specimen etched with a 10:1 solution of 4% picral
to 2% nital: left: 100X; right: 500X.
AISI H13 mold that broke in service due to the presence of this brittle
compound layer (white arrows). Etched with 2% nital followed by 10%
Na2S2O5, 100X (left) and 500X (right). Note the white grain boundary carbide
films in the 500X view.
AISI H13 mold that performed well in service. Note the absence of a brittle
compound layer as in the previous slide. Etched with 2% nital followed by 10%
Na2S2O5, 100X (left) and 500X (right). Note the white grain boundary carbide
films in the 500X view.
Microstructure of Nitralloy 135 extrusion barrel etched with 2% nital followed by 10%
Na2S2O5 (left two at 200 and 500X) and with a 10:1 mix of 4% picral and 2% nital (right
two at 200 and 500X).
Microstructure of Nitralloy 135 extrusion barrel etched with alkaline sodium picrate at
90 C for 60 seconds to color the grain boundary films (yellow arrows) brown proving
that they are cementite; both images at 500X.
 Ion Nitriding
Mount

Affected
Depth

10 µm

Ion nitrided surface of type H13 tool steel (Fe – 0.4% C – 0.35% Mn – 1% Si – 5% Cr – 0.9% V
– 1.35% Mo) previously quenched and tempered. The arrow points to a white, iron nitride
layer at the surface. The matrix is tempered martensite. Etch with Vilella’s reagent.
 Carbonitriding

20 µm
50 µm

Microstructure of carbonitrided type 8720 alloy steel (Fe – 0.2% C – 0.8% Mn – 0.25% Si –
0.55% Ni – 0.5% Cr – 0.25% Mo) after quench and tempering. The surface was plated with Cr
for edge protection. There is considerable retained austenite (white patches) between
martensite plates (black) in the carbonitrided surface. Specimen was etched with 2% nital.
Boriding
Mount

P
P B

50 µm 10 µm

Microstructure of a borided 42CrMo4 as-rolled alloy steel (Fe – 0.42% C – 0.75%

Mn – 0.4% Si - 1.1% Cr – 0.2% Mo). Note the acicular nature of the iron-boride
layer. The matrix contains pearlite (P) and bainite (B). Etched with 2% nital.
Problem Microstructures
Carburized Surface of 8620 Steel

10 µm

Surface of an improperly carburized and hardened 8620 mold, note the

shrinkage gap (top arrows). Just below the surface, there are massive carbides
in the grain boundaries (see next slide). Decarburization during hardening has
caused ferrite (large up arrow) and pearlite (smaller up arrow) to form.
Specimen etched with 2% nital.
Improperly carburized surface of SAE 8620 alloy steel (Fe – 0.2% C – 0.8% Mn – 0.55% Ni –
0.5% Cr – 0.2% Mo) etched with aqueous 10% sodium metabisulfite. Note the very coarse
plate martensite (blue and brown “needles”). The white regions are retained austenite but
there are also white, massive cementite particles present, as indicated by the arrows.
Original at 1000X.
Heavy Grain Boundary Carbide
Networks in Failed 8620 Mold

Alkaline sodium picrate (90 C – 60s) reveals cementite networks

Near-surface region of the improperly carburized 8620 specimen in previously illustrated.
The specimen was re-polished and etched with boiling alkaline sodium picrate to color the
massive cementite particles. Note that they form almost continuous networks around the
prior-austenite grain boundaries (present during carburizing), which is very bad for
toughness. Original at 500X.
 Decarburization

Decarburized surface of an as-rolled, eutectoid carbon steel (Fe – 0.8% C – 0.21%

Mn – 0.22% Si). The matrix should be nearly all pearlitic, but there is ferrite at the
surface to a considerable depth (arrows). The specimen was etched with 4%
picral. The original magnifications were 200X (left) and 500X (right).
 Maximum
Affected
Depth

100 µm

Microstructure at the surface of a decarburized, hardened specimen of type 420 martensitic

stainless steel (Fe – 0.35% C – 13% Cr) tint etched with Beraha’s sulfamic acid reagent (No.
4) and viewed with polarized light plus sensitive tint. Note the “free ferrite” (arrows) at the
surface (complete loss of carbon) and the change in the appearance of the martensite in the
partial decarburized zone.
 10 µm

Microstructure of wrought 7-Mo duplex stainless steel (Fe - <0.1% C – 27.5% Cr – 4.5% Ni –
1.5% Mo) solution annealed and then aged 48 h at 816 °C to form sigma. Electrolytic etching
with aqueous 20% NaOH (3 V dc, 10 s) revealed the ferrite as tan, the sigma orange, while
the austenite was not colored. The arrows point to austenite that formed during the
conversion of ferrite to sigma.
Retained Austenite
Carburized 8720 Alloy Steel
(Fe – 0.2% C – 0.8% Mn – 0.5% Cr – 0.55% Ni – 0.25% Mo)

10 µm
10 µm

2% Nital 6% Nital + 1% Zephiran Chloride

X-ray diffraction revealed 25.4% retained austenite in this specimen. The x-ray
beam senses the surface to a depth of at least half a mm. Image analysis
performed on the specimen etched with 6% nital plus 1% zephiran chloride
(benzalkonium chloride, a wetting agent) yielded 13.3%.
25.4% Retained Austenite by XRD
Carburized 8720 Alloy Steel
(Fe – 0.2% C – 0.8% Mn – 0.5% Cr – 0.55% Ni – 0.25% Mo)

10 µm 10 µm

2% Nital 6% Nital + 1% Zephiran Chloride

X-ray diffraction revealed 19.7% retained austenite in this specimen. The x-ray beam senses
the surface to a depth of at least half a mm. Image analysis performed on the specimen
etched with 6% nital plus 1% zephiran chloride (benzalkonium chloride, a wetting agent)
yielded 8.5%.
19.7% Retained Austenite by XRD
Carburized 8720 Alloy Steel
(Fe – 0.2% C – 0.8% Mn – 0.5% Cr – 0.55% Ni – 0.25% Mo)

10 µm
10 µm

2% Nital 6% Nital + 1% Zephiran Chloride

X-ray diffraction revealed 16.2% retained austenite in this specimen. The x-ray beam senses
the surface to a depth of at least half a mm. Image analysis performed on the specimen
etched with 6% nital plus 1% zephiran chloride (benzalkonium chloride, a wetting agent)
yielded 1.2%.
16.2% Retained Austenite by XRD
Martensite (colored) and retained austenite (white) in over-austenitized type W1
carbon tool steel (927 °C – 1 h, water quench, 149 °C – 1 h) tint etched with
Beraha’s reagent (100 mL water, 10 g sodium thiosulfate and 3 g potassium
metabisulfite). Original at 1000X.
 As-cast Ni-Hard cast iron (Fe – 2.98% C – 0.64% Mn – 0.85% Si – 4.4% Ni – 2.34% Cr)
containing cementite (white), retained austenite (light brown), manganese sulfides (gray
particles) and plate martensite “needles” (light blue and medium blue) after tint etching with
Beraha’s CdS reagent and viewing with polarized light plus sensitive tint. Original at 1000X.
Conclusions

Metallography has played a vital role in

developing our understanding of phase
transformations and control of
microstructure in heat treatment and
surface hardening processes. Its
importance will remain high in the
foreseeable future.