Simple and Precise Description of the Transformation Kinetics and Final Structure of Dual Phase Steels

The kinetics of diffusion-dependent phase transformations (including austenitisation of ferrite in dual steels or ferritic nodular cast irons) is very often described by the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov (JMAK) equation. This description is not complete when the conversion is only partial due to insufficient overheating, as the equilibrium fraction of ferrite transformed into austenite cannot be determined directly from the JMAK equation. Experimental kinetic curves of partial austenitisation at various temperatures can be fitted using the JMAK equation, but the equilibrium fraction of the newly formed phase for each temperature has to be calculated as a regression parameter. In addition, the temperature dependence of the kinetic exponent in the JMAK equation is quite complicated and cannot be expressed by a simple general function. On the contrary, the equation of autoinhibition used for the description of austenitisation kinetics in present work directly gives the equilibrium fraction at partial conversion. It describes transformation kinetics at various temperatures independently of whether the conversion is complete or partial. Rate constants of the equation of autoinhibition depend on temperature according to the Arrhenius equation. In addition, the equation of autoinhibition has no weakness as the JMAK equation has, which consists in questionable temperature dependence of kinetic exponent.