Hello everyone. Given microstructure image belongs to a 12% ledeburitic cold work tool steel (annealed and tempered). The sample was etched with picral (100 mL ethanol and 4 g picric acid). I tried to reveal retained austenite structure. Because I've limited knowledge in steel metallurgy/characterization, I need some help here. I know the white phases are carbides, which precipitate through thermomechanical forming. Any retained austenite can be observed? What would be black phases between grain boundries? Any answers will be appreciated about clarifying this microstructure.
Dear friend
did you try selective etching?
Selective etching we use when want to find out some specific microstructure constituent.
On this microphotograph I think that white area is large carbide particles.
Best regards
Belma
Dear Yekta
What is the chemical composition of the alloy? How much thermomechanical forming was applied?
Regards
May be you can observe this article:
Conference Paper Hot Workability of 1.2690 Ledeburitic Tool Steel and Develop...
You can also make nanoindentation test. This test is performed to determine hardness of the phases. You can also determine the microstructure with EBDS. But you must prepare your sample very well. Especially polishing must be wonderful.
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