Description

The effects of vanadium and niobium microalloying on the microstructural evolution of high-carbon wire steels were studied by dilatometry to develop continuous cooling transformation (CCT) curves, solubility modeling, and electrochemical dissolution. A detailed microstructural characterization of the microalloyed steels was conducted using field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomprobe tomography. Enrichment of vanadium in cementite was observed whereas silicon was rejected from cementite.