The Formation Energy of Martensite Nuclei and the Phase Transition Kinetics under the Action of an External Magnetic Field

Abstract

The formation energy of martensite nuclei in the austenite matrix is calculated. Nanoclusters with ferromagnetic order, which exist in austenite above the Curie temperature, reduce the formation energy of a critical martensite nucleation center when exposed to an external magnetic field. The data obtained are explained by the magnetic separation of the initial phase under the action of a magnetic field. A fluctuation increase in nanovolumes with a ferromagnetic order in austenite increases the energy in a atoms group of the matrix phase with a parallel spins arrangement. As a result, the nucleation rate of the martensite phase increases and the martensitic transformation proceeds more completely.