Technical Papers and Notes - Iron and Steel Division - The Effect of Carbide Dispersion on the Strength of Tempered Martensite

ManY qualitative observations have been made concerning the relationship of the carbide dispersion and the mechanical properties of steel. With reference to the strength and hardness we know that for a given composition a steel having a fine pearlitic structure is stronger than that having a coarse pearlite. The martensitic structure tempered at a relatively low temperature and having finely dispersed carbides gives greater strength than that given by the martensitic structure tempered at a relatively higher temperature and having a coarser