X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy micro
analysis and Mossbauer spectroscopy have been carried out to character
ize the various carbides in M50 steel. They were electrolytically extr
acted from the matrix owing to their weak volume fraction. In the anne
aled state, M(2)C, MC, M(6)C, M(23)C(6) have been observed besides an
additional carbide M(7)C(3). The carbide populations were evaluated an
d the hyperfine parameters explained in relation to the alloying eleme
nt content and the carbide crystalline structure.