Effect of dissolved niobium on eutectoid transformation behavior

The effect of dissolved niobium on the eutectoid transformation behavior in near-eutectoid high-carbon steels has been studied. Dissolved niobium is important in the eutectoid transformation behavior. It increases the eutectoid carbon content significantly (by ˜0.0477% per 0.00001% dissolved niobium), increases the hardenability of steel markedly, yields finer, more uniform, polygonal proeutectoid ferrite, induces a transition in morphology of eutectoid cementite from lamellar to somewhat spheroidal, and increases the misorientation angle of pearlite colonies from being focused near 0° to near 60°.