Stabilization of retained austenite in the AISI D2 tool steel

Edward G. A. Rodriguez1, Freddy A. F. Grijalba1, Hélio Goldenstein2, Paula F. da Silva. Farina1

1
School of Mechanical Engineering – University of Campinas, 2University of São Paulo
ingedgio@gmail.com Q.P3.15

Introduction
Introduction Objectives
Objectives
Steel tools are often submitted to a stress relief treatment, prior to
cryogenic treatments, in order to avoid cracks due to thermal gradients. Such process In the present work, the effect of the isothermal
is also called aging, and can promote the stabilization of the retained austenite; it is treatment at 130°C with different times in the cold working
suggested that such stabilization is due to the austenite enrichment in carbon that steel AISI D2 is studied. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron
comes out from the supersaturated martensite [1,2]. microscopy and magnetic Barkhausen noise have been
On the other hand, conventional characterization techniques such as DRX applied to evaluate the effect of isothermal treatment.
offer high reliability in results but are destructive. Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN)
is presented as a tool for characterization of ferromagnetic materials and the effects of
heat treatments [3,4].

Start Methodology
Methodology
MBN
a)
Austenitization
1100°C
oscilloscope Data acquisition board
Quenching in oil

MBN b)

Isothermal treatment (0,10,30, 100, 300 min) power source

XRD MEV MBN

MBN Sensor Figure 3. a) Schematic representation of sensor used . b)
Sample
END Representation of sample arrangement and sensor.

Figure 1. Flowchart of the experiments performed. Figure 2. MBN equipment used.

Results
Results



1.4
Carbonetos

C ond. Inicial



0.41 0.8





1.2 A0
A300
A 10
A 30
1.0 0.40 0.7
A100 A 100
A 300

peak am plitude (V )
retained austenite

0.8
Intensity(u.a.)

A30
0.39 0.6
M B N (V )

0.6

A10 0.38 0.5

0.4

A0 0.2
0.37 0.4

0.0
0.36 0.3
30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Current (A) Isothermal Treatment Time (min)
2

Figure 5. AISI D2 sample diffractograms. Figure 6. Evolution of the MBN envelope Figure 7. Comparison of retained Austenite (XRD)
from the AISI D2 steel with isothermal fraction behavior with Peak Amplitude (MBN)
treatment. parameter behavior during isothermal treatment.
Figure 4. SEM micrographs .

Conclusion
Conclusion Bibliography
Bibliography
[1] Farina, Paula F.S.; Farina, Alexandre B.; Goldenstein, Hélio. Solid State Phenomena Vols. 172-174, pag. 511-516,
In the isothermal treatment of AISI D2 steel there is MBN can be used in the characterization and 2011.
[2] Fantini, C. A. Efeito do tratamento de alívio de tensões no ciclo térmico de um aço matriz aisi d2 contendo
stabilization of retained austenite caused by carbon evaluation of AISI D2 steel and heat treatments etapa criogênica. Campinas: [s.N.], 2019.
partition from supersaturated martensite to
This research was supported by School of Mechanical Engineering – University of Campinas
retained that are applied to it, with pertinent results, as it [3] Franco, F. A. Et al. Relation between magnetic barkhausen noise and hardness for jominy quench tests in sae

austenite. Such stabilization of retained austenite
depends on the volumetric fraction of austenite and
martensite obtained after quenching.
can identify phases such as martensite, retained
4140 and 6150 steels. J nondestruct eval, p. 93–103, mar. 2013.
[4] Kahrobaee, s.; Kashefi, m. Electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation of tempering process in AISI D2 tool
austenite, ferrite and possibly precipitates. But it is steel. Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials, p. 359-365, 2015.
still need another complementary technique like
DRX or MEV. Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by School of Mechanical Engineering – University of Campinas