Temperature-time dependence of grain boundary segregation of phosphorus in interstitial-free steels

The kinetics of grain boundary segregation of phosphorus in non- and rephosphorized interstitial-free steels was studied through determination of temperature-time diagrams that predict that the batch annealed cycle of interstitial-free is likely to be susceptible to cold work embrittlement. Simulation of batch annealing cycle and associated predictions of grain boundary concentration of phosphorus provided a quantitative evaluation of the critical step in the batch annealing process that could lead to embrittlement.