TEM AND HRTEM CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOSTRUCTURED M50 TYPE STEEL

Nanostructured M50 type steel materials were prepared by hot pressing the precursor powders. The precursor powders were chemically synthesiz ed using Mo different techniques, namely, thermal decomposition and co -reduction. During the hot press process, the precursor powders were t ransformed to nanocrystalline phases with the precipitation of fine ca rbides. Simultaneously, the crystalline powders were densified. The de nsified samples were studied using both conventional and high resoluti on transmission electron microscopy. The effects of hot pressing param eters such as temperature, time and pressure on the development of nan ostructures, grain growth and formation of defects are discussed.