In situ observation of the effect of AIN particles on bainitic transformation in a carbide-free medium carbon steel

The bainitic transformation of the steels with different mass fractions of N, similar to 0.002% and 0.021%, was observed in situ by using high-temperature metalloscope. Micrometer- and nanometer-sized aluminum nitride (AlN) particles were found in the steel with 0.021% N. Grain boundaries, the interior of the grains, and AlN particles were used as initial nucleation sites of bainitic ferrite, and bainitic ferrite subunits served as new nucleation sites to induce secondary nucleation. The lengthening rate of bainitic ferrite varied at different nucleation sites, which was controlled by the repeated nucleation and growth of bainitic subunits. The AlN particles not only provided several nucleation sites, but also increased the autocatalytic effect on the transformation, further shortening the incubation period, promoting the bainitic transformation, and refining the bainitic microstructure.