On the Decarburization of Surface Pearlite

Under appropriate conditions, surface pearlite can form on the outer surfaces of specimen. The microstructure evolution during the decarburization of surface pearlite was investigated. Two cementite dissolution mechanisms were observed. The first involved the direct dissolution of cementite into the pearlitic ferrite. The second mechanism involved the formation of austenite along the cementite/ferrite interface. Both mechanisms were active near the surface of specimens, and the second mechanism was observed for cementite plates adjacent to the austenite core.Graphic Abstract