Application of Rietveld refinement to investigate the high chromium white cast iron austempered at different temperatures

The effect of austempering temperature on the microstructure and properties of a high chromium white cast iron was investigated with the Rietveld refinement method. The result shows that the upper bainite exists in the sample austempered at 623 K and the martensite, lower bainite, M 7 C 3 , and retained austenite exist in the samples austempered at 563 K and 593 K. The relative content of the retained austenite increases with increasing the austempering temperature from 563 K to 623 K. The higher hardness, impact toughness and impact abrasive wear resistance can be obtained for the specimen austempered at 593 K.