Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-00216

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Microstructure after quenching and precipitation behavior during tempering in Fe–Cu–Ni–Al steels

Qiu, N. ; Zhou, T. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Spartacus, G.Extern* ; Guehairia, S. ; Meng, Z. ; Zuo, X. (Corresponding author) ; Hedström, P.Extern*

2026
Science Direct New York, NY

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.matchar.2026.116012

Abstract: This study investigates the microstructure after quenching and the precipitation behavior during subsequent tempering in Fe-2.5Ni-0.5Al, Fe-2.5Cu, and Fe-2.5Cu-2.5Ni-0.5Al (wt%) steels, with and without Mo additions. All alloys were solution-treated at 900 °C for 60 min, followed by quenching and tempering at 550 °C for up to 40 min. Microstructure and precipitation characteristics were analyzed using microscopy, atom probe tomography, and in situ small-angle X-ray scattering, supported by thermodynamic calculations and continuous cooling transformation diagram simulations. The Fe-Ni-Al steels (with or without Mo) exhibited a ferritic–bainitic microstructure. The Fe-Cu steel was primarily ferritic, while Mo addition promoted a ferritic-bainitic structure. The Fe-Cu-Ni-Al steel displayed a ferritic–martensitic microstructure, which transformed into a fully martensitic structure with Mo addition. During tempering, no precipitates were detected in the Fe-2.5Ni-0.5Al steel, whereas Cu-rich precipitates formed in both Fe-2.5Cu and Fe-2.5Cu-2.5Ni-0.5Al steels. The enhanced bainitic/martensitic transformation induced by Mo addition resulted in a higher dislocation density after quenching, which facilitated Cu precipitate nucleation during tempering. Hybrid Monte Carlo/Molecular Dynamics simulation confirm that Mo alters the matrix distortion in Fe-2.5Cu-2.5Ni-0.5Al steel, a key factor influencing nucleation and precipitation kinetics. Moreover, the addition of Mo reduced precipitate growth and coarsening, contributing to the retention of high hardness after tempering.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. SWEDEN-DESY - SWEDEN-DESY Collaboration (2020_Join2-SWEDEN-DESY) (2020_Join2-SWEDEN-DESY)
3. FS-Proposal: I-20220848 EC (I-20220848-EC) (I-20220848-EC)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P21.2 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Engineering, Computing and Technology ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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