DOI: 10.52150/2522-9117-2025-39-18

K. O. Chornoivanenko^1,*, Ph. D. (Tech.), Assoc. Prof., ORCID 0000-0003-1613-7784
K. І. Uzlov¹, D. Sc. (Tech.), Professor, ORCID 0000-0003-0744-9890
Y. L. Povzlo¹, ORCID 0009-0008-1432-8003

¹Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies, Lazariana St., 2, Dnipro, 49010, Ukraine

^*Corresponding author: vladimir.antonchik1958@gmail.com

INFLUENCE OF DEFORMATION ON THE FORMATION OF COMPOSITE STRUCTURE DURING CARBURIZING OF CHROMIUM STEEL

Abstract. The initial state of the ferritic matrix in Fe-20% Cr chromium steel significantly affects the mechanisms of cooperative decomposition of ferrite into austenite and carbides during carburizing. As a result of the α→γ+C phase transformation, an austenite-carbide composite structure is formed, similar to a eutectoid structure. Studies have shown that deformation of samples prior to carburizing leads to a noticeable reduction in differentiation within austenite-carbide colonies. When carburizing an alloy pre-deformed to a 5% reduction, the grains in the carburized layer are finer compared to the as-cast state and are elongated in the direction of carbon diffusion. Increasing the degree of reduction to 50% before carburizing enhances the features of austenite-carbide layer formation described for the carburized sample deformed to 5%. Annealing of deformed samples results in the formation of secondary boundaries and the development of large equilibrium polyhedral grains, regardless of the degree of prior deformation. The influence of deformation and annealing on the morphology of the α→γ transformation front was investigated. With increasing deformation, the curvature of the two-phase front becomes more pronounced; a flat interface between ferrite and austenite is almost never observed, and signs of protrusion nucleation are evident. The austenite–ferrite interface in samples annealed after 5% deformation is mostly flat, whereas after 50% deformation, the interface is uneven. It is shown that during carburizing of chromium steel annealed after significant deformation, large and rare equilibrium faceted carbide inclusions are initially precipitated in ferrite, after which the α→γ+C phase transformation occurs partially abnormally—with the formation of conglomerate structures—and partially normally—with the formation of composite structures. The obtained results enable optimization of chemical-thermal, mechanical, and heat treatment parameters for targeted control of the microstructure and properties of chromium steels, which is important for improving their wear resistance, strength, and durability under operating conditions.

Keywords: composite structure, carburizing, deformation, diffusion, annealing, chromium steel, recrystallization, transformation front.

For citation: Chornoivanenko, K. O., Uzlov, K. I., & Povzlo, Y. L. (2025). Influence of deformation on the formation of composite structure during carburizing of chromium steel. Fundamental and applied problems of ferrous metallurgy, 39, 296-308. https://doi.org/10.52150/2522-9117-2025-39-18

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Received 19.07.2025
Accepted 21.10.2025
Published online 01.12.2025