Abstract
Effects of retained austenite contents on ductility of medium carbon spring steels according to steel alloy compositions and heat treatment conditions were studied. Contents of retained austenite varied with steel compositions and heat treatment conditions, and some retained austenite were found to transform to martensite on stress. Reduction of area (RA) increased with contents of retained austenite, then saturated through its maximum, and subsequently decreased. Increase in RA with retained austenite contents could be due to crack blunting effect by retained austenite on stress, however, more contents of martensite transformed from retained austenite in its higher contents could cause decrease in RA.
