Multiple
interface structures of M23C6 carbides
precipitated at grain boundary in 100Mn13 high carbon high manganese
steel, including the interface between the carbide particle and the
matrix together with the interface between two adjacent carbides,
were studied after 1050 °C solution treatment and subsequently
after 475 °C aging treatment by high resolution transmission
electron microscope (HRTEM) based on traditional transmission electron
microscope (TEM). A growth model describing the adjacent M23C6 precipitations was proposed. The results show that
precipitated carbide type is M23C6, which grows
into both sides of austenite by a step growth mechanism. When two
adjacent carbides precipitate along grain boundary, there are two
cases as follows: If the two carbides have the same orientation relationship
with the same austenite grain, they would grow independently to contact
with each other to coalesce into a larger size carbide with the same
orientation relationship. If the two carbides have different orientation
relationships with the same austenite grain, and there is an original
twinning in one carbide, they would grow independently to contact
with each other to form a precipitated twinning.