Athermal epsilon-martensite in a Co-Cr-Mo alloy: grain size effects

In this work, it is found that the development of athermal epsilon-martensi te upon quenching of a Co-Cr-Mo alloy is strongly influenced by the grain s ize. The volume fraction of epsilon-martensite was found to exhibit a sigmo idal trend with saturation volume fractions of epsilon-martensite occurring at approximately 0.7 for grain sizes of 324 mu m. In addition, the hardnes s exhibited an initial decrease with grain size, but remained almost consta nt for grain sizes above 100 mu m. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.