A PERSPECTIVE ON THE MORPHOLOGY OF BAINITE

The morphology of continuously cooled bainite in steels is examined in this review and compared with that of isothermally transformed bainite. Some experimental observations of microstructures in continuously cooled commercial steels are also presented; these results demonstrate the presence of microstructures which are not easily defined in terms of any of the "classical" bainitic morphologies. The numerous terms created over the last 50 years to describe specific bainite morphologies have led to some confusion, and it is suggested that the commonly used terminologies do not adequately describe the full range of bainitic microstructures which are observed. A general definition for the bainite transformation is proposed. A classification system for bainitic microstructures is also developed, encompassing both isothermally transformed and continuously cooled bainites. It is suggested that primary bainite morphologies be classified as B1, B2, or B3, depending on whether the acicular ferrite is associated with (1) intralath precipitates, (2) interlath particles/films, or (3) discrete regions of retained austenite and/or secondary transformation product (e.g., martensite or pearlite), respectively. Possible ambiguities with the descriptions of autotempered martensite and Widmanstätten ferrite are also discussed, and a number of areas are identified where further work would be helpful. © 1990 The Metallurgical of Society of AIME.