Microprecipitation in boron-containing high-carbon steels

The dissolution and precipitation of boron have been studied in a high-carbon steel. Boron was found in different states: boron oxides, boron carbonitrides and iron-borocarbides Fe₂₃(B,C)₆. The dissolution of iron-borocarbides in austenite is complete at 1100 °C and precipitation along grain boundaries of this boron-bearing phase was observed after water-quenching from high austenitizing temperature. Therefore, boron precipitates along grain boundaries before pearlite nucleation.