The influence of tempering conditions and bulk Mo and V contents on th
e carbide phase changes in three low-alloy steels 2.5Cr, 2.5Cr-0.7Mo a
nd 2.5Cr-Mo-0.7-V-0.16 was investigated. Transmission electron microsc
opy (electron diffraction and EDX) was used to determine the type and
chemical composition of carbide particles. The M(7)C(3) carbide was co
nsidered to be the most stable in the investigated steels. The influen
ce of both, the tempering conditions and the bulk Mo and V contents on
carbide reactions preceding the M(7)C(3) stabilization was quantified
.