Microstructure of ultrahigh carbon martensite

Recent experimental investigations suggest that the martensite formed by quenching carbon steels (0.2–1.26 mass %C) are composed of twins and nanoscale ω particles in twin boundaries, rather than carbon supersaturated uniform solutions. In order to probe the microstructure of the martensite with ultrahigh carbon content, a novel strategy is employed in the present study to obtain ultrahigh carbon martensite (approximate 2.1 mass %C) by quenching ductile cast iron. The microstructure of the martensite was intensively characterized by high resolution transmitting electron microscopy. It is indicated that the microstructure of the ultrahigh carbon martensites is composed of ultrafine {112} <111>-type twins and high-density nano-scaled ω particles embedded in twin boundaries. These ω nanoparticles in twin boundaries could remarkably impede the deformation of the movement of the nanotwins in martensites, leading to poor ductility and strength of the quenched ductile cast iron. These findings not only reveal the substructures of ultrahigh carbon martensite, but also enhance the understanding of the mechanical behavior of high carbon steels and ductile cast irons.