Image Processing Tool Quantifying Auto-Tempered Carbides in As-Quenched Low Carbon Martensitic Steels

Metals, vol. 10, pp. 171

Abstract

As-quenched low-carbon martensitic steels (<0.2 wt.% C) contain auto-tempered carbides. Auto-tempering improves the work hardening and upper-shelf impact energy; however, an efficient characterization method to determine the degree of auto-tempering has not been available. This paper demonstrates an efficient image processing tool that calculates the relative auto-tempered carbide fraction by analyzing scanning electron microscope micrographs. By the process of image segmentation, the qualitative volume fraction of auto-tempered carbides can be determined, and an associated color map produced, which distinguished the levels of auto-tempering. This image processing tool could become useful for the optimization of new low-carbon steel’s mechanical properties.

Authors 6

1. Shashank Ramesh Babu corresponding

   University of Oulu

   Affiliation as printed

   Materials and Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Advanced Steels Research, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulun, Finland

2. Thomas Paul Davis

   University of Oxford

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PH, UK

3. Tim Haas Aachen Department for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Kopernikusstr. 10, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Antti Jarvenpää

   University of Oulu

   Affiliation as printed

   Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu, Pajatie 5, FI-85500 Nivala, Finland

5. Jukka I. Kömi

   University of Oulu

   Affiliation as printed

   Materials and Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Advanced Steels Research, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulun, Finland

6. David Arthur Porter

   University of Oulu

   Affiliation as printed

   Materials and Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Advanced Steels Research, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulun, Finland