Isothermal decomposition of austenite in concentration-inhomogeneous nickel steels

Current research in the field of powder structural steels is connected with the development of manufacturing methods and obtaining structures that pro vide mechanical properties comparable to or exceeding the conventional leve l under minimum heat treatment. The main alloying element in powder steels is nickel. It is chosen due to a number of special features of it, includin g its availability, a low affinity for oxygen, simultaneous elevation of vi rtually all mechanical properties when used as an additive to a steel, and deceleration of the gamma --> alpha transformation in the pearlitic and bai nitic regions of the decomposition diagrams of supercooled austenite. The p resent work is aimed at studying the isothermal decomposition of austenite in concentration-inhomogeneous nickel powder steels.