Manufacturing Technology 2019, 19(5):831-835 | DOI: 10.21062/ujep/380.2019/a/1213-2489/MT/19/5/831

Observation of Phase Transformations in High-temperature Chamber under Microscope Objective Lens

Michal Peković¹, Kateřina Opatová¹, Kateřina Rubešová¹, Tomáš Janda¹, Hana Jirková¹, Radovan Bureš²

¹ Faculty of Mechanical Engineering - Regional Technological Institute, University of West Bohemia, Univerzitní 8, 306 14 Pilsen, Czech Republic

² Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Science, Watsonova 47, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Today, extensive information on a particular material can be obtained from its chemical composition using various computer programs. Such information includes phase transformation temperatures, such as Ac1 and Ac3 or the Ms and Mf, as well as the entire austenite decomposition sequence, as shown in TTT and CCT diagrams. When steel is heated, austenite grains begin to form, grow and eventually coarsen. On cooling, these grains decompose into pearlite, ferrite, cementite and hardening phases. Transformations of this kind are well understood nowadays, namely the ways the individual phases form and the rates and temperatures involved. Yet, in-situ visual recordings of such transformations are relatively rare. Using the Linkam TS1400XY heating stage, which is capable to heat samples up to 1400°C and is integrated in an optical microscope featuring objective lenses with modified working distances, these phase transformations can be observed directly. This paper explores the potential of the heating stage for studying various materials and their specific heat treatments. It also discusses the method of sample preparation for use in the heating stage placed in an optical microscope.

Keywords: heating stage, phase transformations, optical microscopy, heat treatment

Grants and funding:

Project SGS-2016-060 Research of Modern AHS Steels and Innovative Processing for their Manufacturing.

Published: October 1, 2019  Show citation