Manganese partitioning in dual-phase steel during annealing

An experimental study and modelling analysis of the manganese partitioning in austenite and ferrite during annealing of dual-phase steels have been carried out. The partitioning coefficient, defined as the ratio of manganese content in the austenite to that in the adjacent ferrite, increases with increasing annealing time and decreases with increasing annealing temperature. The analytical model based on manganese diffusion, austenite growth and mass balance can predict the profile of the manganese distribution in austenite and ferrite. The effect of austenite grain size and annealing time on manganese partitioning is predicted by the model and compared with experimental results. The model provides a good prediction of the relative change in manganese content during partitioning. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.