Nano-scale strengthening from grains, subgrains, and particles in Fe-based alloys

Nano-scale strengthening has been studied for Fe and Fe-based alloys and found to be a function of grains, subgrains, and particles. In Fe–C/O alloys, these microstructural features can result from phase transformations and deformation processes. The relationships between these structural features and strength have been quantified and the limitations established. The relationships were shown to apply equally well to structures produced by deformation and quenching. The major contributors to strength were carbide and oxide particles. Particles, grains, and subgrains were shown to provide significantly higher strengthening than contributions from solid solution effects.