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A multiphase-field model (PFM) was applied to study the microstructure development during rapid cooling from the austenitising temperature to the quenching temperature and the carbon distribution between martensite (described as supersaturated ferrite) and austenite during holding at a selected “partitioning” temperature.

Although the modelling does not really simulate martensitic transformations, the morphology of acicular ferrite/austenite microstructure developed during cooling resembles the experimental martensite/residual austenite microstructure at the quenching temperature quite well. The carbon partitioning between the carbon supersaturated martensite and the austenite is simulated for different partitioning conditions. Applying a criterion to calculate the fraction of retained austenite at room temperature from the local austenite carbon content before the final quenching, the phase field model predicts …