Precipitation takes place when the austenite stainless steel is heated to a high temperature. This is found significantly different when the electropulsing is implemented during the heat treatment. Considerable less number density and much smaller particle size of precipitates are formed in the sample treated with electropulsing. Electropulsing helps to dissolve precipitates.The effect is not due to Ohm heat. Instead, it is attributed to the electric-current-induced change of thermodynamic sequences of the phases and the electric-current-accelerated mass diffusion.

Abstractκ-carbide in lightweight steel is studied. Its thermal stability, crystal morphology, orientation relationship, degree of lattice misfit and mechanical properties are measured experimentally. The mechanisms for the microstructural evolution of κ-carbide are considered based on the crystal structure, lattice misfit, element diffusivity, and solute partition. The hard γ/κ grain and ductile α+κ grain provide an opportunity to develop the lightweight steels with desirable combination of mechanical properties.

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