What is the ASTM grain size?

ASTM grain size number(n) is related with the number of grains that you can count in 100X magnification (N) by the relation, N=2(n-1). So ASTM grain size number increases with decreasing grain size.

How do I know my austenitic grain size?

The method is used for equaled grains. The grain size is determined in a microscope at a magnification of 100 X by comparing with ASTM standard grain-size charts and the matching number of the grain size is reported. ASTM standard grain size charts have been shown compared with grain size in specimens in Fig.

What is austenitic grain size?

Austenitic grain-size or just the grain-size of steel means, the grain-size of austenite that existed prior to its transformation to ferrite and carbide mixture or martensite, that is, the size of prior austenite-grains (that existed at a higher temperature) before the steel is cooled, and before the austenite is …

What is ASTM E112?

ASTM E112: Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size. ISO 643: Steels – Micrographic determination of the apparent grain size. ASTM E112 covers three test methods to determine the average grain size: The comparison procedure, the planimetric procedure, and the intercept procedure.

Why is grain size important in metals?

As the average grain size decreases, the metal becomes stronger (more resistant to plastic flow) and as the grain size increases, the opposite effect on strength occurs. In addition to strength, grain size will also effect formability, directionality, texture and surface appearance.

How does grain size affect Hardenability?

Finer grain size increases the grain boundary area and promotes nucleation of pearlite. The higher nucleation rate at finer grain sizes will result in the decrease of time needed to complete the formation of pearlite. As the grain size increases (ASTM grain size decreases), the hardenability increases.

What is austenite grain structure?

When the grains of austenite form in cementite, they occur as lamellar clusters oriented along the cementite crystal layer surface. Austenite is formed by diffusion of carbon atoms from cementite into ferrite.

What is the role of austenitic grain size in martensitic transformation?

The austenite grain size influences the martensitic transformation through the nuclei density provided by the grain boundary area and through the strengthening of the austenite phase as the transformation progresses.

How does grain size affect mechanical properties?

Grain size has a measurable effect on most mechanical properties. For example, at room temperature, hardness, yield strength, tensile strength, fatigue strength and impact strength all increase with decreasing grain size. Thus, for example, yield stress is more dependent on grain size than tensile strength [2, 3].

How to determine prior austenite grain size in steel?

For many steel grades, good prior austenite grain boundary delineation can be obtained using the carburizing procedure known as the McQuaid-Ehn test for lower-carbon steels, and the Oxidation procedure for medium-carbon steels, as described in the ASTM E 112 standard. ・ァ

How does temperature affect the size of austenitic grain?

In alloys of Fe-Ni and Fe-Ni-C, the M s temperature is lowered significantly by decreasing the austenitic grain size, probably due to higher strength of fine grained austenite, which in turn increases the shear resistance of austenite to transform to martensite. Carbon steels may also show similar effects on M s temperature.

Why are austenite grains smaller than martensite grains?

Coarse austenite grains having less grain boundary area, have fewer nucleation sites, thus diffusion-controlled transformation of austenite is retarded paving way for easy transformation to martensite (diffusion-less transformation product). Fig 2.17 illustrates TTT curves of same steel having different austenitic grain sizes.

What’s the difference between austenitic and coarse grained steel?

Inherently fine grained steels have a wider temperature interval for austenitising for hardening (as grain coarsening does not take place) as compared to inherently coarse grained steels. Inherently fine grained steels can be rolled or forged at a high temperature and the finishing temperature could be high without getting grains coarsened.